Insight: Issue 129 | Wed 29 March

Total events enlightenment

We’re back – and here to provide you with the hearsays, the blow-by-blows, the latest scoops and the words on the street. Open your mind, ‘cos some serious events revelation is coming your way.

In the week where Finland was named happiest country for 6th year in a row: SEC to host 2026 World Water Congress and Exhibition; The Fair launches advice line for new industry talent; All Party Parliamentary Group to hold general meeting; Events and entertainment ‘show strong signs of recovery’; and UKEVENTS welcomes new members to working group.

SEC to host 2026 World Water Congress and Exhibition

H2 – OMG! G-town’s going full on Waterworld.

The International Water Association’s (IWA) is bringing their World Water Congress and Exhibition to Glasgow’s SEC in 2026. The event will see water profs from around the globe gather to gain insight into how science, technology and practises shape water management.

The SEC joined forces with VisitScotland, Glasgow Convention Bureau, and its ambassadors in IWA UK in securing the successful bid, aligning with the country’s ‘Hydro Nation’ policy agenda that recognises Scotland’s water as part of it’s ‘national identity’.

Neil Brownlee, head of business events at VisitScotland, reveals why he thinks Scotland is the top spot for the aqua-focused conference:

“Scotland is a country of innovation and there are a huge number of organisations working within the hydro sector that are creating next-generation products and services, which I hope will be recognised and channelled into the event programme to enhance the delegate learning experience.”

The Fair launches advice line for new industry talent

Are you a new promoter or other fledgling event professional looking for free advice how to progress your career? Live event production company The Fair could have the answer…

The Fair director Yasmin Galletti has announced the launch of ‘The Advice Line,’ a counselling service that offers 30-minute phone or video calls with experienced industry profs.

The new tool aims to encourage fresh talent to the events and festivals game – and with a current client roster of big names such as Boiler Room, GALA, Otherlands and the US’ Recfest under their belt – these guys know what they’re talking about.

With over 30 years of combined industry know-how, Galletti and fellow director of The Fair, Rob Dudley, will be at the other end of the line to offer their guidance.

Galletti comments, “It’s great to see so much more support out there for people joining the world of festivals and events, but we can all be doing more to get our wonderful industry to be known, and for the fresh generation of talent to realise events as a real career choice. Just by talking to people, we are galvanising the future leaders of the festival industry. We hope that in doing this, we are not only supporting the next generation, but building a stronger pool of talent for the future of our industry.”

All Party Parliamentary Group to hold general meeting

The APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) will be holding this years AGM on 28 March 2023 at Westminster’s Portcullis House. The meeting allows the group to review its current plan of work, elect chairs/vice chairs for the coming parliamentary session, and get up to date on the latest issues facing the events sector.

Here’s a rundown of the APPG’s current Parliamentary Plan of Work – which is focused on 4 key areas of policy:

1) A government led/supported confidence campaign
2) The impact of major events on local communities A set of financial incentives to create new UK based events
3) A co-ordinated approach to bring existing international events to the UK
4) Government support to develop a more sustainable events strategy

The AGM will allow the group to review the plan and update it to reflect the current priorities concerning the events biz.

Martin Fullard, associate director of TOBE and Davies tanner comments, “The Business of Events (TOBE) will continue to support the work of the APPG for Events. At the AGM, TBOE will update MPs on the work the Policy Unit which underlines the Parliamentary Plan of Work laid out by the APPG.”

“This is a vital touchpoint as we continue developing policy initiatives for the events industry. UKEVENTS will be present, as well as other senior stakeholders, which underlines the one-team approach needed to amplify the value of this great sector.”

Events and entertainment ‘show strong signs of recovery’

In a report released as part of PLASA and the #WeMakeEvents campaign, hot new data has revealed that events are bouncing back in a big way. Carried out in Nov 22, and surveying 1,3000 people in over 40 countries, the research has shown that overall turnover and demand had increased – indicating potential signs of a brighter and hopefully more predictable future.

Here’s a few key bits of info that the report uncovered:

 – Companies with a turnover of over £1m were continuing to see positive growth
 – 90% of manufacturers facing component delays
 – 75% of non-manufacturers facing delays in finished goods
 – 90% of freelancers reporting they are back in the industry, either full or part time

The findings presented a stark contrast from last year’s report, where there was a common lack of hope for recovery.

PLASA chair Adam Blaxill comments on the report, “I think we are all pleased to see strong signs of recovery for the events, entertainment and installation industries, which were hit so hard during the pandemic. Resourceful companies and hardworking freelancers have met the rising demand from the public for amazing live events and are being rewarded for it.”

UKEVENTS welcomes new members to working group

Industry umbrella body UKEVENTS has announced the addition of two new members to its Working Group for Advocacy and Government Relations: Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, and Martin Fullard, associate director at Davies Tanner and The Business of Events.

The primary role of the group is to raise awareness of the business events industry to the government and call attention to its social and economic benefits. The group collabs with partners and other organisations to gather evidence that supports the events sector and seeks regulatory changes and fiscal incentives to promote event growth and attendance. Additionally, the group aims to create a unified ‘one team’ approach across the UK Gov to establish a standalone body to lead the event strategy for the UK. This strategy will enhance the country’s offering and enable it to bid for new business.

Speaking on the new role, Wratten comments, “Both the Business Travel Association and I understand the importance of cross-industry collaboration and the intrinsic role face-to-face contact plays here, not only to ensure the steady growth of the business travel industry, but to strengthen the prosperity of the wider UK economy.”

“I’m looking forward to ensuring our UK Government understands the power of in-person events and their significant contribution to business, bringing workers from all over the globe together.”

That sums up your healthy dose of events wisdom for this week folks.

Stop by next time for some more live knowledge.