Insight: Issue 107 | 12 October

Feeling a bit ‘nil points’? We can remedy that.

So, Eurovision No.67 wasn’t meant to be for us here in G-town – but hey, well done Liverpool! No hard feelings eh? Time to let bygones be bygones, and throw ourselves into some good old events based expose of the week.

In the week where Quality Street went full paper, we’re talking; Safety and sustainability in post-Covid exhibitions; UK to replace EU’s GDPR with simpler ‘business friendly’ system; Event spending to rise by 83% in 2023 says Annual ICE Report; and UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 host cities receive £81M boost in economic activity.

Safety and sustainability in post-Covid exhibitions

How can we future-proof exhibitions and events in a post-pandemic and Brexit UK?

In an article published by Exhibition News, Ignition CEO Sam Rowe looks at the key factors affecting physical exhibits in the long term and the role they will play in the industry going forward. In terms of solution, Rowe focuses on two main issues;

Safety and Security – overcoming residual visitor anxieties

In a business climate surrounded by risk and uncertainty, it’s no surprise that Rowe states she’s already been approached by clients wanting to future-proof stand designs against pandemic related viruses. So, by incorporating solutions that regulate visitor numbers, use antiviral technology and touch free, gestural interaction, exhibitors can feel reassured that attendees feel safe, secure and completely comfortable in their environment.

Sustainability

Now decidedly more than a tick-box detail, the pace at which the urgent need for sustainable solutions for live events is accelerating. Rowe states that more sustainably savvy businesses are requiring environmentally responsible displays from designers and suppliers – however, it’s absolutely vital to avoid any kind of ‘greenwashing’.

We’re going to sum up a few key points for y’all.

• Exhibitors can greatly reduce their wastage (as well as their carbon footprint) through stands that are designed for re-use and re-purpose
• Investing in displays that fit into smaller vehicles for transit reduces full consumption and transport costs
• The use of energy efficient lighting, from LED’s to eco-halogens to compact fluorescent lightbulbs

Wise words Sam, let’s get absolutely enviro-mental.

UK to replace EU’s GDPR with simpler ‘business friendly’ system

In favour of a new British data protection system, the UK Gov has decided to do away with the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), a law introduced in 2018 designed to change the way companies collect, process and protect the personal information of EU citizens.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference at ICC Birmingham, Culture secretary Michelle Donelan provides some (limited) detail on the new plan:

“Our plan will protect consumer privacy and keep their data safe while retaining our data adequacy so that businesses can of course trade freely. I can promise that it will be simpler, it will be clearer, for businesses to navigate. No longer will our businesses be shackled by lots of unnecessary red tape.”

Well, let’s see what happens with that one…

Event spending to rise by 83% in 2023 says Annual ICE Report

According to the Annual Ice Report, launched on the 5th of October, event spending is forecasted to rise by a whopping 83% percent. This could be a result of growing confidence in the return of live events, but is most likely related to the ‘spiralling’ cost of running events, namely the rate of inflation, cost of materials, people and fuel.

In addition to this, the report also details the upcoming challenges that brands and event departments face as we head into 2023. Here’s some of the key stats:

Sustainability (53%)
Measurement of event performance (51%)
Ensuring the brand is represented consistently across events (41%)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (37%)

Moreover, one of the major issues revealed through report was data; primarily, how do industry profs harness and effectively implement information gathered through data. Why not take a wee gander at the article by our friends over at Event Industry News and delve a bit more into what the stats had to say?

ICE-ICE baby.

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 host cities receive £81M boost in economic activity

In a post-tournament flash impact report released by football head honchos UEFA and the FA, it’s made clear that the lasting effect of Women’s Euro 2022 has meant big money for the host nation.

As well as an £81M economic boost amongst host cities, other key findings from the report reveal the scale of the success and in turn what it means for women’s football.

These findings include:

• 85% of spectators are likely to attend professional international and domestic women’s football events again
• More than 416,000 new opportunities created in England across schools, clubs, and the community to engage women and girls in grassroots legacy football activities
• Record-breaking final with 87,192 attendees, and an average match attendance of 18,544
• Globally, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 generated 453 cumulative social interactions, with TikTok (39%) and Twitter (21%) contributing the most

Speaking on the event, UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler says,

“We must now capitalise on these successes to continue advancing our game for girls and women, to secure further commitments to women’s football as well as to showcase the benefits of hosting this tournament as the bidding process for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is underway.”

That’s a wrap for this week! As always, swing by next time and we’ll satisfy those big event news cravings of yours.