UKEVENTS 2024 Review and Looking Ahead to 2025 (Chris Skeith OBE, Chair, UKEVENTS)
2024 has been a year of significant change for the UK events industry. Following the General Election, we welcomed a new Government, which has brought both challenges and opportunities as we adjust to the reshuffle at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Much of our focus in the second half of the year has been on building relationships with the Labour Government, ensuring the events sector continues to have a voice at the heart of decision-making.
One of the highlights of this year was our invitation to Manchester to meet Lisa Nandy MP, the newly appointed Secretary of State at DCMS. This meeting signified an important step forward, allowing us to highlight the vital role the events industry plays in supporting economic growth, fostering trade, and contributing to society. It was an encouraging dialogue and laid the foundation for future collaboration.
As we reflect on the year, there is no denying that the events industry continues to face challenges, not least due to economic pressures and the evolving demands of organisers, delegates, and stakeholders. However, if there is one defining characteristic of our sector, it is resilience. Time and again, the events community has demonstrated its ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure. That resilience is, and will remain, the ace up our sleeve.
Looking ahead to 2025, our focus will be on consolidation. While we cannot demand policy changes outright, we must continue to act collectively, ensuring our unified message is heard loud and clear by Government. Collaboration remains key. By working together as a partnership, we can amplify our impact and underscore the value of our sector to the UK economy and beyond.
Data will continue to be our greatest asset in this endeavour. In 2024, UKEVENTS published the UK Events Report, a comprehensive collation of industry insights, research, and statistics. The report revealed that our sector contributes an impressive £62 billion in direct spend to the UK economy. However, numbers alone are not enough. Figures without context risk being overlooked unless we accompany them with real-world examples of the economic, social, and academic benefits our events bring to communities across the country.
We know that events are more than economic drivers. They provide platforms for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and legacy building. From trade exhibitions that boost exports to academic conferences advancing research and innovation, our industry’s impact reaches far and wide. It has never been more important to articulate these benefits clearly and consistently.
2025 will also mark a new chapter for UKEVENTS itself. With fresh faces set to join the partnership, there is renewed energy and optimism for the year ahead. As we evolve, our focus will remain steadfast: advocating for the events industry, driving forward initiatives that benefit all stakeholders, and ensuring that our sector’s voice is both unified and influential.
As we close 2024, we do so with a sense of pride in what we have achieved and confidence in our ability to tackle the challenges ahead. The events industry is not just a contributor to the UK’s success—it is a cornerstone of economic growth, innovation, and social connectivity. Together, we will ensure that message is heard, understood, and acted upon in the year to come.
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