HBAA, the association for the meetings, events and accommodation industry, is calling for the UK government to urgently lift the current ban on venue site inspection visits because it is delaying and preventing meeting and event bookings and blocking the industry’s return to business.

In an open letter to DCMS and BEIS released on 11th March 2021, EIA requests the urgent publication of detailed information on the Events Research Programme, along with the issuing of specific guidance as to when the events and exhibitions sectors will be given clarity about the basis on which it will be allowed to repopen. Read open letter below.

Outdoor events contribute over £30 billion in Gross Added Value to the UK economy and generate considerable commercial value to others in the communities where they take place. The Southampton Boat Show, for example, generates over £30 million in sales annually for local businesses in Hampshire.

“What more does our industry have to do to be recognised and appreciated at the highest levels of government?”

Simon Richards, Treasurer of HBAA and Managing Partner of Convenus says: “The Meetings, Events, and Accommodation sector urgently needs extra, specific financial support but once more the Chancellor has chosen to ignore the sector in today’s Budget.

Please see below a summary of the briefing with Tom Rodden, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Digital, Media, Culture & Sport (DCMS) to members of the Events Industry Forum on the 24th February and Business Events stakeholders on Tuesday, 16th February, 2021 and Wednesady 17th March 2021 (NEW).