The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) have today confirmed that following representation and discussions with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) the Cabinet Office have now agreed that after March 29th, when the stay at home restriction is lifted, visiting a business event venue for the purpose of viewing the venue for a future booking for a work based event, even if the venue is otherwise closed, will be permitted if this cannot be reasonably done remotely.
Simon Hughes, Chair of the BVEP, said: “This is another positive step forward for the reopening of the events sector, and follows some extensive lobbying by the BVEP to Government on behalf of our partner organisations, many of which have been desperate for clarity on this issue. Being able to conduct site visits in just a couple of weeks will now enable marketing activity to fully recommence and for the industry to begin to rebuild its pipeline of business.”
DCMS have advised that safety guidelines for workplaces should continue to be adhered to, and viewings where there is not a permitted exemption for work purposes or otherwise, should not be taking place in closed venues at this time.
Detailed guidance will be updated in due course.
---ends---
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)
• IASB (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