The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) the umbrella body and advocacy group for the UK’s £70 billion events industry, has today approved Simon Hughes to be its new Chair.
Simon, previously Vice Chair of the BVEP, replaces Michael Hirst OBE, who has served as its Chair since the partnerships formation in 1999 and who will continue to Chair the UK Events Industry Board and will join the partnership’s new Executive Committee.
New BVEP Chair Simon Hughes said; “It's a real privilege to pick up the BVEP baton from Michael and I'm very grateful for the support and commitment shown by all of our partners. The obvious challenges we all face at the moment means that collaboration, clear communication and a relentless focus on ensuring that our collective voice is both heard and acted upon is now more important than ever.
“The breadth and depth of Michael's work for the BVEP has always been remarkable, so I definitely have a lot to live up to. On behalf of all of us in the UK events community, I would like to say a massive thank you to him for his tireless commitment to the industry, which of course will continue as we all work together to ensure that events are fully recognised as a significant driver of both economic and cultural value as we move towards a period of recovery and rebuilding.”
At its meeting today, May 21st, the partnership also voted to create a new Executive Committee, to help develop and drive the future strategy of the BVEP, which will consist of Chris Skeith, Treasurer; Caroline Jackson, Membership; Nick Morgan, Commercial & Sponsorship and Michael Hirst, Immediate Past Chair.
Michael Hirst OBE, commented: “I am delighted that Simon will be leading the Partnership to even greater success in promoting the causes of the UK Events Industry during this very testing time. He has enormous experience within the industry and is highly regarded for his leadership. I wish him, and rest of the Partnership, every success over the coming years and thank all of them for the support they have given me over the past 21 years.”
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Notes to editors
For further information on BVEP please contact Hollie Luxford on 07506 016507 or at
About the BVEP
The Business Visits and Events Partnership’s (BVEP) vision is to support sustainable growth for the UK’s £70 billion UK Events Industry. BVEP’s mission is to support growth across the entire sector via advocacy, networking, collaboration and a collective voice.
BVEP’s objectives are to:
- Operate an umbrella organisation to represent, promote and further the interest of member organisations involved in the United Kingdom Events Industry
- Advance the interests, standing, quality, sustainability and growth of the United Kingdom Events’ Industry
- Seek greater collaboration across the Events’ Industry sectors on common issues
- Forge close links with Government departments, including devolved Governments where possible via representation that can influence favourable policies towards the Industry. In particular, maintain strong relationships with key sponsoring departments, DCMS, DIT and BEIS
- Seek a stronger link with the Creative Industries and other related sectors
- Encourage joint events
- Increase the focus on professionalism and skills development.
BVEP Partners
- ABPCO (Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)
- AEME (Association for Events Management Education)
- Business Travel Association
- Core Cities
- Events Industry Alliance (AEO, AEV, ESSA)
- Events Industry Forum
- EMA (Event Marketing Association)
- EVCOM (Event & Visual Communications Association)
- HBAA (Hotel Booking Agents Association)
- ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association)
- London & Partners
- MIA (Meetings Industry Association)
- Meet in Ireland
- MPI (Meetings Professionals International)
- NOEA (National Outdoor Events Association)
- PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)
- PSA (Production Services Association)
- Tourism Northern Ireland
- VisitBritain
- Visit Wales
- VisitScotland Business Events
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