BVEP launches report focused on £70bn events industry

The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) has today launched its latest report titled ‘The UK Events Report’, which provides an in-depth examination into the £70bn industry, providing jobs for 700,000 people and how it will deliver the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which was launched last year.

The UK Events Report, which was compiled prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, illustrates the impact the UK events industry has on the economy. In 2019 business events generated more than £31bn of direct spend, with leisure events contributing a further £39bn, evidence in the report suggests that there is an opportunity to use both markets to showcase the UK’s abilities and resources and bring communities together.

It also highlights a need for the UK to realign and revitalise its commercial footprint, after leaving the European Union and the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, to drive businesses back to their peak and forge a new position on the global stage. Events held in the UK will play a critical role in achieving this.

As a country, the UK has vast selection of high quality and richly varied purpose-built event venues and historic buildings suitable for hosting world-class events. It also has a network of talented and creative suppliers and organisers offering state-of-the-art technology and equipment for events.

The UK events industry is committed to assisting new events to align with key sector priorities, to use events in order to promote UK businesses and their products and services, to attracting more international events and grow already successful events.

Michael Hirst OBE, Chair, BVEP commented: “The report was compiled in what seems another age, but it will serve to provide testament to the power of events to create change and transform experiences, key requirements in facing and achieving the UK’s future challenges. It’s a critical role which the industry is ready and eager to take on and show how it can deliver for the UK.”

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Notes to editors

The report has been compiled by Tony Rogers Conference & Event Services (www.tony-rogers.com) on behalf of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, with support from BVEP Research Group lead, John Gallery of Great Potential Business Tourism Specialists (www.greatpotential.co.uk). It includes contributions from many BVEP partners and from organisations across the events sector.

For further information on BVEP please contact Hollie Luxford on 07506 016507 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the BVEP

The Business Visits and Events Partnership’s (BVEP) vision is to support sustainable growth for the United Kingdom’s 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
• Meet in Ireland
• NOEA (National Outdoor Events Association)
• PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)
• PSA (Production Services Association)
• Tourism Northern Ireland
• VisitBritain
• Visit Wales 
• VisitScotland Business Events