By Simon Hughes - For those of you expecting yet another view on the current EU referendum – gotcha! We are of course currently polling all our partner organisations to see what the collective view from the business events sector is on the thorny question of which way to go and are looking forward to seeing the results.

Post by Nick de Bois - posted on the DCMS Blog on February 25, 2016 - http://dcmsblog.uk/2016/02/uk-events-industry-board/

In January the new Events Industry Board met for the first time at the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Towards the end of the last parliament the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Sajid Javid announced the formation of the board as a working link between the thriving business events sector and the government. The board has three key goals. The first is to help deliver more valuable business visitors to Britain in an ever increasingly global competitive environment. Second, to recognise the role the events sector can play in driving long-term inward investment to the UK by attracting some of the world’s leading business events to the UK. Finally, to use these platforms to boost exports, in line with government growth objectives.

By Nick de Bois - blog first published on 11th February 2016 at http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2016/02/nick-de-bois-we-must-do-more-to-support-british-exports.html.

By Simon Hughes - January 2016 saw something really significant happen for the UK event industry. The first meeting of the new Event Industry Board (EIB) was held, under the chairmanship of Nick de Bois. The Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: "The UK boasts a world-leading events industry that contributes around £40 billion to the economy and draws hundreds of thousands of business visitors to our shores every year. This board will bring together leaders from across the sector to help us build on the success of this growing industry." The assembled representatives from across the industry and government departments will report into the Minister for Tourism and subsequently the Inter-Ministerial Group on Tourism, and the GREAT programme Board. The aim is clear – to help the UK event industry win more business.

By Simon Hughes - Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. This was due to the diligent work of Larry, the No 10 cat and Chief Mouser for the Cabinet Office. Larry, who was comfortably curled up on his cushion on the window ledge, was surprised therefore when a ghostly apparition appeared in the main reception area just behind the famous Downing Street black door. His ears pricked up as the apparition moaned softly “No ifs, no buts. No ifs, no buts.” It was the ghost of a past promise about Heathrow expansion made back in 2009 and the anguish in the softly spoken words made Larry shiver – which just goes to show what an incredibly gifted and empathetic cat he is.