Insight: Issue 85 (30 March)

Kapow!!

Yes eventeers, it’s that time of week again when we layeth the smacketh down on the best events news from far and wide.

Coming up we have: The Government is to survey events sector on Live Events Reinsurance Scheme; International confidence is bouncing back at SISO CEO summit (hurrah); Glasgow SEC cuts out single use plastic cups at live events; an SWG3 style venue is to open near Celtic Park; and Nuremberg Exhibition Centre sets up emergency shelter for Ukraine refugees.

Hold onto your velvet tuxedo, this one’s gonna sting….

Live Events Reinsurance Scheme gets the Government survey treatment

First up, the events sector is to be surveyed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the effectiveness of the £750m Live Events Reinsurance Scheme. The scheme has been criticised for its narrow scope – only providing cover for events cancelled due to government mandated lockdown or local authority byelaw.

The government is now asking the views of event professionals to assess its success. Questions in the survey ask about the impact on businesses turnovers during the pandemic and what other insurance they hold. However, it does not specifically ask whether they took out policies under the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme or whether they deem it successful or valuable.

As part of the survey events profs are also being asked whether they plan to take out communicable diseases cover after the scheme ends on September 30, and what impact that may have on holding future events. The online survey can be found here.

The DCMS said, “We committed to a review point for the scheme in Spring 2022, as part of our ongoing efforts to make sure the Scheme achieves its objectives to support live events following the impacts of Covid-19. We are gathering views on the scheme from the live events sector to help inform this review. The purpose of this survey is to gather views from organisations and individuals in the live events sector on key issues relating to the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme.”

Labour’s shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell MP said that the scheme was “totally inadequate” adding that it,“failed to provide the safeguards the live events and exhibitions sector needs to operate alongside Covid-19.”

International confidence bouncing back at SISO CEO summit

Embrace the positivity event profs! According to delegates at the Society of Independent Show Organisers CEO Summit, an overwhelming return in market confidence both in the UK and across the pond and been reported.

In further positive news for the international events community, organisers are now embracing a blend of live and digital events according to the venue’s CEO Jeremy Rees and CCO Simon Mills.

Speaking from the summit, Rees told Exhibition News, “Almost two years to the day since the start of the lockdown in the UK, and it’s clear to see the events industry – both here and stateside – is bouncing back, particularly with the continued easing of travel restrictions. We’re also seeing buyers having the confidence to consider wider revenue streams, whilst sellers are offering digital and data collateral as a further insurance scheme against the pandemic.”

Bye bye to plastic cups, say Glasgow SEC

The Glasgow SEC are continuing their journey toward net zero by 2030, by announcing the elimination of single use plastic cups from their venue, and replacing with reusable ‘stack cups’.

The move will save the campus 2m cups per year and reduce its carbon footprint by 1,500 tonnes in the next 10 years. Stack Cups will be introduced for the first time at Planet Earth II which is running this weekend, Sunday 27 March, at the OVO Hydro. They will be in use for seating areas with the SEC using compostable versions throughout the rest of the venue. The cups will then be extended into the SEC Armadillo from 31 March 2022 at Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

Debbie McWilliams, Director of Live Entertainment at SEC, said: “The SEC is committed to working towards a greener future for live events, and the removal of single use plastic cups in the OVO Hydro and SEC Armadillo is a huge step forward in our sustainability journey. Switching to Stack Cups will help us save 2m single use plastic cups per year and reduce our carbon footprint by 1,500 tonnes over ten years. The initiative will have a positive impact on fans’ experience, as they are convenient and easy to carry. It’s never been easier to get on board with making live events more sustainable.”

The milestone moment forms a key part of the SEC’s journey towards net zero by 2030 as part of its wider sustainability strategy. All we can say is – gaun yersel SEC.

SWG3 style venue to open near Glasgow’s Celtic Park & Emirates Arena

An “exciting” new events venue set to open near Celtic Park has been granted permission to sell alcohol.

The firm behind the plans is expected to invest around £2 million in a multi-purpose music, arts and community space on a site next to 1257 London Road.

Archie MacIver, representing One Star Leisure Ltd, said the venue could be “something akin to a smaller version of the SWG3 type operation in the West End.”

He added the development would complement the regeneration of the city’s East End and could be used for “a whole variety of events, weddings, conferences, corporate dinners and so on.”

Needless to say we’re delighted to see much needed investment in Glasgow’s East End – long may it continue.

And finally… Nuremberg Exhibition Centre sets up emergency shelter for Ukraine refugees

With the war in Ukraine still raging, and no real end in sight at time of writing, it’s always inspiring and deeply moving to see the global events community do their bit to help the people of Ukraine.

NürnbergMesse and the Nuremberg Municipal Fire Brigade have been fitting out Hall 3C of the German Exhibition Centre as an emergency shelter for up to 600 refugees from Ukraine. Camp beds have been put in place, shower and rest room trailers have been hooked up, and a continuous power supply has been installed. A separate play area for children is also included.

“We want very much to do all we can to mitigate suffering, and thus to emphasise our solidarity with Ukraine and its people,” added NürnbergMesse Group CEO Peter Ottmann.

Amazing – well done everyone involved.

As always – #EventsWithUkraine