beam, the association representing the business events, accommodation and meetings industry, brought together industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders for its third State of the Nation event on Tuesday 9 June, held at the House of Commons.
Hosted by Mike Wood MP and joined by Jack Rankin MP, the event marked the second time beam has taken its State of the Nation discussion to Westminster, reinforcing the importance of ensuring the sector’s voice is heard at the highest levels of Government.
The event welcomed representatives from across the meetings, events, hospitality and accommodation sectors for a constructive and candid discussion on some of the most pressing issues facing the industry today.
Central to the conversations were the growing financial pressures facing businesses, particularly around rising employment costs, increased National Insurance contributions and the ongoing challenge of attracting, developing and retaining talent. Delegates also explored how apprenticeships and workforce development programmes can help future-proof the sector and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation of industry professionals.
David Tremmil, Chair of beam, said:
“The State of the Nation event continues to be one of the most important opportunities for our industry to come together and engage directly with policymakers on the issues that matter most. Holding these discussions at the House of Commons adds significant credibility and demonstrates the growing recognition of the economic value and influence of the business events sector.
“Having MPs join us for an honest and open conversation enables us to present a unified voice on the challenges and opportunities facing our industry. From workforce development and business costs to international competitiveness and Government support, these discussions are vital in helping decision-makers better understand the contribution our sector makes to the UK economy and the support needed to help it thrive.”
The discussion also examined the introduction of visitor levies and city taxes across parts of the UK and the potential impact these measures could have on the country’s ability to remain competitive when attracting conferences, meetings and international business events. With global destinations competing aggressively for business, attendees highlighted the importance of maintaining the UK’s appeal as a world-leading events destination.
Government support for business events was another key topic, with delegates sharing views on the future role of VisitBritain and the importance of maintaining strong advocacy for a sector that delivers significant economic value through trade, investment and international engagement. The conversation reinforced the need for business events to be recognised as a strategic driver of economic growth.
Alongside these issues, attendees discussed the ongoing challenge of business rates and the impact they have on venues, hotels and accommodation providers. The group considered how future policy decisions could support investment, innovation and growth while strengthening the competitiveness of UK venues both domestically and internationally.
The State of the Nation event forms part of beam’s ongoing commitment to advocating on behalf of its members and ensuring the interests of the business events, accommodation and meetings sector are represented within Government and across the wider business community.
