By Glenn Bowdin, Chair, UKEVENTS

UKEVENTS today announces the latest figures from its UK Events Report 2025, revealing that the UK events industry is now worth an estimated £68.7 billion, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the UK economy and a driver of innovation, trade, and tourism.

Glenn Bowdin, Chair of UKEVENTS, have made the following statement following the Autumn Budget:

‘The Autumn Budget recognises some of the priorities UKEVENTS included in our submission, with measures on business rates, regional investment and skills that will help part s of our sector. However, the events industry remains an economic powerhouse with untapped potential. We welcome the steps taken and urge continued collaboration to ensure events are at the heart of the UK’s growth agenda.

We continue to urge government to extend tax reliefs for new and regional event productions based on the established model for film and extend the VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme, both of which have evidence for supporting growth’.

Some of UKEVENTS' Partners Budget Statements:

• Beam members’ reaction to 2025 Budget announcement – Read here.
• MIA reacts to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2025 – Read here.
• Budget Reaction Statement: NOEA – Read here.
• BTA's responde to the Budget - Read here.

Sector urges Treasury to unlock £14bn growth and 100,000 new jobs through targeted fiscal support.

VisitBritain today announced results from its Business Events Growth Programme following an ongoing external evaluation that now includes events supported during the 2023-2024 financial year - showing the programme generated £60.6 million in direct economic return between April 2018 and March 2024.

By Glenn Bowdin, Chair, UKEVENTS - Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Stephanie Peacock MP, the new Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth. It’s always encouraging when a new minister makes time for the events industry, and the fact this meeting took place within her first two weeks in post is a really positive sign.

According to the latest Economic Impact Study published on 29th September 2025, by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), the business events & exhibitions industry continues to grow, uplifting the UK economy by £11.5 billion business sales in 2024.

'The opportunity to gain recognition, influence policy, and shape the future has never been greater', says Glenn Bowdin, chair of UKEVENTS. Read article by Paul Harvey here.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s major events inquiry is focussing on sporting and cultural events that attract national or international audiences and typically draw attendance of over 10,000 people per day. They include internationally recognised sporting competitions, national celebrations and leading arts and music festivals, which generate significant economic activity, media coverage and cultural impact.

UKEVENTS welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s refreshed Industrial Strategy and accompanying Sector Plans, which place the creative industries at the heart of national growth ambitions. Recognising the creative industries as one of eight priority sectors, the Government’s plans set out a clear commitment to driving innovation, exports, and skills development across the UK’s dynamic creative economy.

The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) has just launched a campaign urging UK and EU policymakers to prioritise the establishment of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the business events sector in future trade discussions.

The latest research into the UK’s conference and meetings sector shows clearly that the sector has put the nightmare of the coronavirus pandemic well behind it and is demonstrating real dynamism as it grows strongly, despite the threats posed by myriad challenges and pressures: economic, geopolitical, environmental, societal, technological and more.

UKEVENTS offers a cautious welcome to the Government’s Spending Review, recognising several encouraging developments, particularly for sport and regional growth. However, significant opportunities for the wider events sector remain overlooked.

David Tremmil, vice chair of beam and UKEVENTS, spills the beans on his dual role - and reveals why government advocacy is so vital for the sector today on an interview with M&IT (first published here).

VisitBritain Business Events releases 2024 Delegate Spend Report: delegate expenditure has increased by 75% since 2017.

UKEVENTS, the umbrella organisation for the UK events industry, has joined forces with other organisations within the Tourism Alliance in expressing deep concern over the recent decision to significantly reduce GREAT funding for VisitBritain, a key partner.

The Purple Guide Grants Scheme celebrates a decade supporting 24 diverse outdoor event projects with £318,000 of funding, April 2025.

The UK’s only ranking of brand and corporate film producers returns at a time when social, fiscal, and messaging uncertainties are climbing into the creative roost.

The Events Industry Alliance (EIA), the secretariat platform for the three event industry bodies AEO, AEV and ESSA, has, today, published the ninth Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions (SASIE) report.

The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has reacted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spring Statement 2025, which was presented in the House of Commons yesterday.

By Louisa Watson, Chair of beam - As Chair of beam, I speak on behalf of a sector that continues to show resilience and innovation in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty. The business events, accommodation and meetings industry contributes more than £61 billion to the UK economy each year, yet it remains particularly vulnerable to inflationary pressures, talent shortages and inconsistent government support.

Powering on from last year’s Covid re-bound, ABPCO members maintained the same high levels of activity and financial growth throughout 2024.