By Glenn Bowdin, Chair, UKEVENTS
A Year of Ingenuity and Influence
2025 has been a pivotal year for the UK events industry. From reaffirming the nation’s position as a global “safe harbour” for events to ramping up sustainability and advocacy efforts, UKEVENTS has worked with and supported Partners and the wider events industry in strategically elevating our sector’s profile and impact. While not without its challenges, including from the economic and political environment, the industry has broadly remained robust.
Government Engagement and Advocacy
It has been a year of engagement, both as UKEVENTS, and also supporting our Partners and amplifying their advocacy and engagement activities. UKEVENTS Executive and Partners have actively participated in parliamentary consultations, APPG engagements, and departmental meetings, ensuring our sector’s voice is considered in national policy, from visa reform to industrial strategy integration.
Partners have represented the industry at major forums including International Confex, The Meetings
Show, The Showman’s Show, Spirit of 2012/Warwick Business School’s Major Events Summit
“Connecting the Golden Thread”, the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport Major Events Inquiry and others, reinforcing UKEVENTS’ presence and role in thought leadership throughout the year. While I cannot capture all activities in this short review, I include a few of the highlights to demonstrate the collective progress being made.
Key Highlights of 2025
The year got off to a great start, in the corridors of Westminster, when UKEVENTS hosted a special exhibition in Parliament to highlight the vital contribution of the UK events industry to the national economy, 3-6 February. Over four days, UKEVENTS representatives engaged with MPs and Lords, emphasising the value of the sector and its crucial role in supporting local economies, driving business tourism, and creating jobs across the country. This exhibition was important as it raised the profile of the events industry in the minds of policymakers and potential advocates.
During the year, we have broadly focused on three priority areas:
- Developing a national events strategy/strategic framework to unlock further economic growth and ensure the UK remains a global leader in events.
- Integration of major business and outdoor events with key governmental industrial and social initiatives.
- Expansion of the VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme and the introduction of incentives for new event productions to mirror those available in the TV and Film Industry.
UKEVENTS Executive Committee, Partners and industry representatives fed into the Visitor Economy Growth Strategy, which is now due for publication in the first quarter of 2026, and we remain hopeful that events will feature as a main driver of growth in the strategy.
Earlier in the year, UKEVENTS welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s refreshed Industrial Strategy and accompanying Sector Plans. This placed the creative industries at the heart of national growth ambitions. Recognising the creative industries as one of eight priority sectors, the Government’s plans set out a clear commitment to driving innovation, exports, and skills development across the UK’s dynamic creative economy. As part of the creative sector, events play an essential role in delivering these ambitions. From international trade missions and exhibitions to domestic conferences and festivals, their value in being proven economic drivers was acknowledged as an opportunity to help UK businesses connect with global markets, attract inward investment, and showcase British creativity and expertise on the world stage.
This recognition was also reflected in aspects of the Government Spending Review, UKEVENTS publicly welcomed sport sector funding but pressed for broader recognition of conferences, exhibitions, meetings, and cultural events—calling for a National Events Strategy and enhanced funding to VisitBritain’s Business Events Growth Programme as well as a more joined up approach across government departments including from within DCMS..
Summer brought an announcement that the Select Committee for Culture Media and Sport would be focusing their attention on Major Events for an inquiry. UKEVENTS, alongside many industry stakeholders, submitted evidence to the committee covering the breadth and depth of the events industry, from sport and cultural events through business events and beyond.
UKEVENTS and others were invited to give oral evidence to the committee, which continues to explore the issues and opportunities into the new year. David Tremmill represented UKEVENTS, together with Rachel Parker from Event industry Alliance, Robert Wright from The Business of Events, and others sharing expert evidence. I would encourage you to review the evidence presented and the report when it is published next year, as it provides further evidence, if this were needed, in support of the need for a more strategic government approach to events, one of our key asks.
Following the government reshuffle, I had the opportunity to meet Stephanie Peacock MP, the new Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth. I was encouraged by her knowledge of the events industry and interest in the work that we are collectively doing. The conversation was open and constructive, and it’s clear that Minister Peacock is keen to understand the breadth of the events sector and the value it brings to the UK.
We understand that there are plans from DCMS to host a Ministerial Events Round Table early next year with government departments and industry representatives and other related agencies. We will continue to work towards developing a shared understanding of the value of events beyond DCMS into other departments in government and elevate the work that our Partners are doing.
Research and Data
The UK Events Report 2025, published earlier this month by UKEVENTS, records an increase in the industry’s value to £68.7 billion, up from £61.7 billion in 2024. This growth reinforces the UK’s standing as a resilient and attractive global events destination.
Our Research & Business Intelligence Group, led by John Gallery, are already gathering information and data for the next edition, and we would continue to encourage Partners to contribute to calls for research, including the Outdoor Events Research (being led by The Power of Events and funded by The Purple Guide), to ensure that the research base continues to grow in order to demonstrate our value to the economy.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The UKEVENTS Executive Committee have led the development of a refined strategy that will provide a focus for our efforts in 2026 and beyond.
Our mission is: Strengthening the UK events industry’s united voice by connecting partners, governments and policymakers to drive recognition, evidence and growth.
Our purpose is: Connecting UKEVENTS Partners and Government
Our working objectives are:
- Objective 1 – National Events Strategy – Develop a strategic framework for events, including developing a National Event Strategy for England aligning with the devolved nations’ strategies, and addressing key issues such as tax incentives, skills, growth and policy platforms.
- Objective 2 – Recognition – Strengthen recognition of UKEVENTS’ role across government, partners, and the wider industry.
- Objective 3 – Research – Deliver robust, holistic research to underpin policy and advocacy.
Conclusion
As we approach the end of a successful 2025, UKEVENTS stands stronger than ever – grounded in increasingly robust data, active advocacy, and collaborative partnerships. Our events industry continues to connect communities, support growth in the economy, and project the UK’s reputation globally.
We will also seek to widen our collaboration with other like-minded organisations, representing other parts of the experience economy and allied industries, recognising at times a larger voice is a louder voice.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank fellow members of the Executive Committee, Gaelle Connolly our Secretariat, and partner representatives, who have contributed to the delivery of our work. I do not underestimate the amount of time and effort we all put in to help take UKEVENTS and the events industry forward. I look forward to working with Executive Committee, Partners, government partners, and industry peers to fulfil our shared ambitions. UKEVENTS will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders, government representatives, and policymakers to ensure the UK events industry is supported and positioned for long-term growth. While doing so, we will seek to grow our Partnership and work strategically to strengthen our collective voice.
I invite all Partners to actively contribute to advocacy, research, and engagement initiatives as we deliver these priorities together.
