The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) has welcomed a number of new partners to the organisation including Unique Venues of London (UVL), International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB) and Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA).
This takes the number of full partners in the BVEP, which is the umbrella body and advocacy group for the UK’s £70 billion events industry, to 24. Earlier this year both MPI and MIA re-joined the organisation as full members.
In recent months the BVEP has played a pivotal role in providing a voice for the UK events industry as it continues to lobby government for a reopening date for the industry to begin its recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
UVL represents a collection of more than 80 specialist venues within the capital. The organisation provides its members with insight into market trends and is there to provide a collective voice on behalf of its members.
Lisa Hatswell, Managing Director, Unique Venues of London said “We’re all going through a very uncertain and challenging time as an industry and are keen to continue working on our recovery. The support that the BVEP has given the industry and its partners over recent months has been outstanding. We are delighted that we can be part of this wider community and look forward to working with our colleagues to strengthen our collective voice in these exceptional times.”
Also joining BVEP is IASB, a non-profit trade membership organisation of speakers bureaus, lecture agencies and speaker management companies across the globe. IASB provides leadership to the bureau industry through education, resources and partnerships with organisations that support the meetings and events industry.
PLASA, the leading body suppliers of technologies and services to the event and entertainment industries has also joined BVEP. PLASA, which represents suppliers across the globe, provides its members with events and training courses as well as providing advisory and support services.
Commenting on the partnership’s new members, Simon Hughes, Chair, of the BVEP said: “I’m delighted to welcome our new members UVL, IASB and PLASA all of which are leading representative bodies in their sectors. As an industry we are still in limbo over a reopening date and the BVEP are continuing to lobby and work with government for an answer. The growth in our membership demonstrates our partners commitment and support of our work and message for the entire sector. There has never been a more relevant time for the entire industry to unite and speak with one voice as it looks to start its road to recovery”.
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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)
- IASP (International Association of Speakers Bureaus)
- London & Partners
- Meetings Industry Association
- Meet in Ireland
- MPI
- NOEA (National Outdoor Events Association)
- PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)
- PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association)
- PSA (Production Services Association)
- Tourism Northern Ireland
- Unique Venues of London
- VisitBritain
- Visit Wales
- VisitScotland Business Events