14 The Events Industry And Economic Recovery

The return of events in the UK may seem a long way from the horizon as we remain in lockdown and public health remains our priority, but the industry continues to look ahead and plan for the key role it will play in the recovery of the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Events and the Business Visits & Events Partnership have submitted a series of recommendations to the Covid Recovery Commission, set up to present bold and practical ideas to Government over the coming months to support higher productivity levels, encourage business investment and promote a culture of innovation across the UK.

The recommendations follow the UK Government announcement last month that the 2021 G7 Summit will be held in Cornwall in June – the first face-to-face meeting of major world powers since the Coronavirus pandemic began.

The G7 Summit is expected to bring UK£50 million into the Cornish economy and we know from our own experience hosting the NATO Wales Summit at Celtic Manor in 2014 just what an important and positive role major international events can play in boosting local economies and raising the profile of a destination.

The G7 Summit and its satellite events will provide a strong indication that international conferences and business events can return in safety, and that the UK has the industry expertise to facilitate this.

The events industry as a whole is worth UK£70 billion per annum to the UK economy in terms of visitor spend, a figure that represents more than 50% of all tourism spend. In addition, another UK£165 billion worth of trade is transacted at business events.

These returns illustrate just how important and wide-reaching this sector is and, when we emerge from the Covid emergency, events will have a key role to play to promote the training, opportunity, levelling up and prosperity required for recovery.

Business events showcase our industrial, scientific, academic and innovative skills to international markets, driving trade, exports and inward investment, while cultural events project our creative energy and educate and entertain our communities.

It is not only venues and hospitality providers that reap the benefits of staging events. The industry has a wide and varied supply chain including many independent freelancers and the colossal impact of the pandemic has served to raise awareness of the sector’s broad reach.

The UK£55 billion hole in the UK economy left by the almost complete closure of the events industry over the past 10 months has won the sector a heightened appreciation from government and the wider business community for its value and the broader economic, social and cultural benefits.

The crisis has also seen the industry work together like never before to achieve this recognition and prepare the Covid-secure protocols that will play such a key part in our reopening strategy.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Events and the Business Visits & Events Partnership behind the latest recommendations have both played a key role in this enhanced profile. It is great to see our own Newport East MP, Jessica Morden, being part of the APPG for Events and giving the industry in Wales a voice in Parliament, having been such a strong supporter for the creation of International Convention Centre Wales in her constituency.

While ICC Wales has now sadly been closed far longer than it was ever open following its brilliant launch in September 2019, we have been busy playing our part in these plans and working with industry bodies and Welsh Government to prepare for recovery and shape best practice for the resumption of events.

Our Commercial Director Jill Manley chairs the Event Wales Industry Advisory Group that has worked together as stakeholders and with Welsh Government to support the sector through this crisis and prepare for the new ways in which we will have to operate when we return to business.

Throughout this period, we have not stopped working with clients to reschedule events for future dates, while taking fresh enquiries for exciting new opportunities so we know there will an appetite for staging big events once more, when we are able to do so.

A full recovery will take time and will remain dependent on the public health developments, but it is vital that we all work together and that we take action now in order to ensure that recovery hits the ground running and is robust to the challenges ahead.

ICC WALES, UK LAUNCHES EXCITING SERIES OF MOTIVATIONAL MASTERCLASSES

ICC Wales has launched a series of exciting online masterclasses designed to provide lifestyle and career motivation as well as a platform for attendees to connect with friends, colleagues and communities during these challenging times.

Running from 26th February to the end of April, ICC Wales Live will feature live-streamed masterclasses which are free to attend and open to all. The convention centre has teamed up with a number of expert speakers, from an endurance athlete to a professional home organiser, who will deliver masterclasses on a diverse range of topics to help attendees unlock their own inner brilliance, both professionally and personally. Each inspirational masterclass will be one-hour long and include an introduction from ICC Wales and a question-andanswer session at the end.

Jill Manley, Commercial Director at ICC Wales, said: “The past year has been extremely challenging for our industry so, while we remain unable to meet in person and stage face-to-face events, we wanted to create something that would be fun and enjoyable, as well as providing attendees with helpful tools and strategies they can take forward into their careers and lives. We’re thrilled to be working with some truly inspirational speakers and we hope that everyone enjoys the opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues while learning something new.”

Kicking off the series on 26th February will be life coach Ken Kelling, who will lead a session titled ‘From Invisible to Influencer’. In this insightful session, Ken will lead attendees on a journey to help them grow their personal career profiles and make them as unforgettable as the events they organise. Ken’s session will feature actionable strategies that attendees can use in their careers and lives, whether that is speaking up in meetings or launching a new business. If you have ever wondered what you could achieve if you had the courage to put yourself “out there” more, this is the session for you.

On 18th March, join professional home organiser Vicky Silverthorn for her Q&A style masterclass called ‘Clear Thinking: How to declutter your home and organise your life.’ As a household organiser to the stars and a regular contributor to Ideal Home magazine and TV shows including This Morning, Vicky knows a thing or two about streamlining your home so that the rest of your life follows, which is particularly important now that many of us are working from home. In her masterclass, Vicky will share the tricks of the trade to help you be more zen in your home and your life.

In a fascinating session on 26th March, endurance athlete and TV presenter Lowri Morgan will share her expertise on ‘How to apply the resilience of a long-distance runner to go the extra mile in your career’. Lowri will reveal the motivational techniques that keep her going and explain how the single-mindedness, focus and determination she summons up for long distance running can be applied to reach your own milestones in business or to realise personal goals. Get ready to leave this session believing that anything is possible and prepared to set the bar high for your next challenge.

More masterclasses will be announced shortly as dates and times are finalised. To find out more and to register to take part, visit https://www.iccwales.com/live-masterclasses/

THE IMTM FAIR IS NOW OPEN FOR EXHIBITORS REGISTRATION

The International Mediterranean Tourism Fair (IMTM) held in Tel Aviv, Israel will run its 27th event, from 15-16 June 2021 in real form.

This will provide the much needed opportunity for exhibitors from countries such as Greece, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Israel and countries of the Middle East to meet together.

BTL - Lisbon Tourism Exchange, Lisbon Tourism Exchange has been postponed until 12-16 May 2021 due to the continuing restrictions of the global pandemic. The new dates will allow for BTL, as the largest and best event to promote tourism in Portugal, will have the chance to be prepared for the safe participation of all attendees, thus hoping to organise an even more decisive event to boost promotion and business in the tourism sector.

1ST CANCUN BOAT SHOW

Cancun, Mexico is to host the 1st International Boat Show at Cancun Marine Exposition from 16-18 July 2021.

The marina will be located in Marina Puerto Cancún, within the increasingly popular development of Puerto Cancún.

The event will be held in person and will include a main exhibition area, a series of smaller exhibition areas, a demonstration area, exhibits of boats on the water for sea trials, a yacht of water taxi and a collection of luxury yachts in the marina basin.

The aim is that the event will be the largest marine initiative in all of Mexico.

1st ‘LIVE’ MICE INDUSTRY EVENT OF THE YEAR - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY MCE Central & Eastern Europe: 30 May - 1 June 2021

2021 is the year of the comeback, the year of the return to business and the time everyone has been looking forward to! After a year of challenges, patience, resilience, we will be more than happy with what we had and will have again. Europe Congress is looking forward to offering the MICE industry its 1st live event in Budapest, Hungary from 30 May – 1 June.

After having celebrated the 10th annual edition of MCE Central & Eastern Europe in Vienna in 2020, Europe Congress is very excited to come back to host a forum in Budapest, the city where it last hosted an event in 2013. The setting up of a new Convention Bureau in Budapest is a unique opportunity to re-connect the various MICE providers from Central & Eastern Europe with event buyers keen on finding out why Central & Eastern Europe and Budapest specifically should be on each event planners short list to place an event at.

‘’We are greatly honoured to host again one of the most significant forums with an outstanding business value in the meetings industry, the MCE Central & Eastern Europe. This event will play an important role in restarting our industry, providing a place for the joint thinking and successful negotiations between the excellent suppliers and buyers looking for new solutions. After a year full of challenges and restrictions, it will definitely be a special pleasure to participate in a live event, to meet in person, to experience real encounters after a long period of online discussions and virtual events. For this we provide a great destination and wonderful experiences through the venues in Budapest, and the additional FAM trips.’’ Anna Békefi, Managing Director of the Budapest Convention Bureau mentioned.

The renovated Radisson Blue Beke will host the event and various dinner venues will further impress all participants. Dynamic Tours DMC is the event partner assuring all ground transportation to perfectly match the event schedule and getting everyone in comfort to the various venues.

“In the past when finding venues for clients, and now within my role in Europe Congress, I have always loved to come to Budapest. The city offers so much different culture from various periods within its rich history, and is therefore unique in Europe. The hospitable attitude, great cuisine, warm atmosphere and its wide offer for any type of events make it a destination to always consider.”, Alain Pallas, Managing Director of Europe Congress stated.

The boutique event that will welcome up to 60 destinations and suppliers as well as up to 80 international event planners will be well able to implement any health and safety regulations valid at that time. The event will offer a great experience to all participants resulting in business growth, wonderful memories and a new fresh step towards the industry renewal.

FITUR 19-23 MAY 2021

The Spanish Minister of Industry, has confirmed that Fitur will be held in Madrid from 19-23 May this year signalling the ‘the rebirth of tourism.’ This also highlights that no economic recovery for many nations cannot happened without tourism’s recovery.

Travel Trade Athens returns on the 19-20 April 2021. The annual event connects some of the world’s biggest travel trade and MICE players with leading suppliers in the Greek tourism and MICE industry. Travel Trade Athens is the leading event for local and international tourism professionals. This year’s meeting is the 7th in the series, and it carries special significance as part of the recovery of the tourism industry in Athens.

This year’s Travel Trade will be a top-notch hybrid event. Travel professionals and journalists from Europe, the UK, and the US will have the option to join the event in person or participate from home. All meetings will be held online, and professional s attending the event in Athens will be able to connect to the Travel Trade platform through th eir personal device or in specially designed areas at the venue while following all health regulations and precautions.

Travel professionals who attend the event in Athens will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of thematic famtrips t hat showcase Athenian culture, hospitality, and gastronomy.

Travel Trade Athens offers a complete hosted buyers programme that includes air travel to and from Athens, accommodation in a 4or 5-star hotel, transfers, thematic tours, meals and social events, networking opportunities, as well as a pre-arranged set of online B2B meetings.

Since its launch, Travel Trade Athens has hosted more than 500 buyers from 35 countries and has facilitated more than 15,000 B2B meetings. The hybrid model will accommodate a greater number of meetings and will lead to an increase in the number of business agreements.

Travel Trade Athens is the signature event of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA) and is coorganized by This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and the European Tour Operators Associations (ETOA).

THAILAND HOPES TO REOPEN BY 1 JULY 2021

The #OpenThailandSafely campaign, with support FROM over 15 major companies including YAANA Ventures, Minor Group, Asian Trails, Capella Hotels and Resorts, EXO and many others, aims to get Thailand back open to tourists by 1st July 2021.

The Open Thailand Safely campaign has set out its bid in a petition to the Royal Thai Government to respond positively based on the positive vaccination programmes taking place across the world and in other Thailand tourism source markets. The petition is open to anyone in Thailand or around the world who would like to see the country reopen.

The campaign outlines reopening on 1st July for 5 reasons: - Most citizens in many source markets will have been vaccinated by then. - Thai medical authorities has time to vaccinate front line staff in hospitality settings in Thailand and/or vulnerable citizens around the country. - International travellers have time to make travel plans and bookings. - The opening date gives time to airlines, hotels, tour operators, etc to start marketing and sales and get ready for tourism operations to commence. - It expects Thailand will need at least a year or longer to return to the large numbers of international visitors as seen in 2019.

International tourists can be asked to satisfy any safeguards the Thai Government may require; like proof of a Covid -19 vaccination from their home country, purchasing health insurance, showing proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of departure, etc. The members of the Open Thailand Safely campaign will send the request to Thailand Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, and the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

After closely monitoring the ongoing impact of COVID-19, both locally and internationally, the decision has been made to move this year's show to 30 September 1 October 2021 at ExCeL London. The show will run as a hybrid event, allowing attendees to join in live or virtually.

It is imperative to the organisers that both visitors and exhibitors feel confident in and safe at The Meetings Show. With the vaccine developments and testing programme, they will be able to deliver the type of show you know and deserve by the autumn.

Relocating to ExCeL London - with its excellent transport connections and expansive show floor will help to ensure your comfort and safety at all times.

Come and join your industry colleagues in supporting the recovery of the business meetings and events industry at The Meetings Show 2021.

GDPR: UK BUSINESSES MUST NOW COMPLY WITH TWO SETS OF LEGISLATION

Data usage laws have now changed between the UK & the EU following Brexit. UK businesses must now comply with rules in both territories.

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), requires organisations to protect data when either offering goods and services or monitoring the behaviour of individuals within the EU.

The UK’s GDPR regulations are now separate from the EU’s GDPR regulations. Therefore there are now 2 data protection laws instead of just one; UK GDPR covering individuals in the UK and EU GDPR for individuals in the EU. Businesses holding both types of data, will now need to adhere to each of the two separate legislations.

The UK is now officially considered a ‘third country’ under the EU GDPR, meaning that UK businesses serving EU consumers will need to comply with both the UK and EU GDPR measures.

There are two actions that meetings and events organisations now need to action; 1. UK companies that hold data for the EU now need to review and update their existing data sets. This is to determine which proportion is EU data (and therefore subject to EU GDPR regulations); which is UK data (subject to UK GDPR regulations) and which data falls outside of both of these categor ies, for example, data sets for those based in America or Asia.

2. UK businesses need to appoint a representative within the EU to deal with any queries. These could be queries around a data breach or a data subject access request. This representative should live in any of the 27 EU countries. UK businesses only need an EU representative if they do not already have a branch or office in the EU.

EU companies who hold UK data also have to have a representative in the UK, and EU based companies need to review and separate their data sets to determine which is now subject to UK GDPR regulations.

Venuedirectory.com is running a series of webinars for the MICE sector regarding these changes.

ALGARVE TO ORGANISE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Following the success of the Algarve Virtual Destination Showcase recently, the Portuguese region, Algarve Tourism is to promote the region as an events destination. The initiative was specifically aimed at professionals from the UK.

British professionals learned about the diversity of the destination's offer, as well as the facilities and services available for holding associative and corporate events through two sessions led by the Algarve Tourism Association, the body responsible for promoting tourism in foreign markets - and through Faro Airport.

The East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) annually attracts over 44,000 visitors looking to discover new destinations and travel opportunities and meet the companies offering them.

Here’s Why You Should Be There With Your Brand

Meet a wide visitor audience

Attracting over 44,000 industry professionals and tourists themselves, EMITT is the best place to meet your future clients and partners. Not only can you as an exhibitor meet thousands of visitors at your stand, the show’s Hosted Buyer Programme provides an opportunity to hold meetings with a highly-targeted invited group of key buyers from countries around the world.

Promote your brand

With the whole industry in one place, EMITT is the very best place to increase your brand visibility and present your latest deals and offers to the market. It’s a brilliant marketing tool to make sure the industry knows about your brand.

Learn more about market trends

Be the first to learn new market trends and gain valuable industry insight into the Turkish and global travel industries at the show’s exciting line-up of business events as well as first-hand knowledge from industry professionals attending the event.

Keep an eye on your competitors

Hundreds of travel service companies, accommodation providers and destinations will be at EMITT 2022 to showcase their offers and opportunities. With the industry’s top suppliers all on display, the show is a great opportunity to stay up-to-date with what’s on the market and find out where your competitors are heading.

WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL TO HOLD GLOBAL SUMMIT IN APRIL 2021

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 20th Global Summit will now take place from 25-27 April in Cancun, Mexico.

WTTC felt the move from the previous March date to April would allow time for the further relaxing of travel restrictions and therefore bringing more people together.

The Global Summit will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what both Mexico and Cancun have to offer as a destination, along with the world-class health and safety protocols that have been implemented to host such an event.