Events Industry Board launches two new working groups and key appointments to drive growth in the sector

The Events Industry Board has launched two ‘working groups’ to feedback to government on priority issues for the sector.

Two high-profile appointments have also been made to the EIB as it bids to drive growth in the sector and attract more events to the UK.

Jennifer Jenkins, CEO of the Event and Visual Communication Association (EVCOM) and Events Consultant Sarah Wright both join the EIB as the industry gears up to address any issues post Brexit.

The Groups – which will continue detailed work on the priority issues affecting the industry – will be led by members of the Events Industry Board with contributors drawn from across the sector. Chair of the Board, Nick de Bois, is now actively calling for industry representatives to get in touch.

Confirmed topics to be addressed by the initial two Working Groups are:

Infrastructure

Understanding venue capacity, occupancy, regional spread, connectivity and transport across the whole of the UK as an essential part of targeting new international business and growing existing events.

Talent, Skills and Human Resources

Building on scoping work in the this area of critical importance already carried out by the Hospitality and Creative Industries, the Working Group will consider current skills gaps and the future skills and resources required in a post Brexit environment.

 A future Working Group covering Industrial Strategy will also be included when and if a Tourism Sector Deal is agreed by the Government as part of its Brexit considerations.

“I am keen that members from across the industry will come forward to share their expertise and advice to support the working groups. Government interest in the events industry is at an all-time high but we must continue to provide robust and well-researched solutions to complex challenges and the working groups will support this aim,” de Bois said.

“With trade and industry at the heart of the great Brexit debate, we have a window of opportunity to put forward the best case for business events as an economic driver. We need to seize the moment which is why I welcome the opportunity to work with others from this exciting industry.”

Industry representatives who would like to be involved with the Working Groups are encouraged to contact the respective Chairs:

• Talent, Skills and Human Resources: eib@sarahwrightconsulting.com
• Infrastructure / Capacity: chris.skeith@eventsindustryalliance.com

Event Industry Board members will also continue to work alongside ongoing Department for Digital , Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and VisitBritain groups on improving Britain’s international competitiveness and reviewing and improving the effectiveness of the Government’s Event Support Programme.

Further round table meetings with DCMS Ministers are also expected to be announced in the coming months for International Buyers, Destination Management Organisations and Outdoor events.

Jennifer Jenkins was appointed CEO at EVCOM in June 2017 after 15 years as managing director of global communications agency MCI Group.  She is also the Chair of events industry charity Meeting Needs, raising funds for worthy causes linked to the events industry.

After working across the financial, pharmaceutical, telecoms, professional service, Government and FMCG sectors in a corporate and agency capacity for 20 years, Sarah Wright now runs her own consultancy. She set up the Apprenticeship Programme in 2012 and is the Director for Employer Engagement on the Event Apprenticeship Programme Board.

Welcoming the new appointments, de Bois, added:“It’s really important that our Board membership has the widest and strongest representation from our industry and I’m delighted that Jennifer and Sarah will bring such a wealth of experience and talent to our discussion and debate. I look forward to working closely with them both in this vitally important time for the business of events and warmly welcome their expert opinions and advice”.

Jennifer Jenkins said:“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve on the Board.  Having attended my first meeting, I am convinced of the very real intention to drive the growth of the UK event industry and attract more inbound business to the UK.”

Sarah Wright said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Events Industry Board. I’m particularly passionate about skills and training in the events industry and excited to be working with industry leaders and government to drive talent development and management in the industry, which will drive competitiveness and showcase UK talent.”

Sarah Wright will be leading a new Working Group for the Events Industry Board that will consider current skills gaps and the future skills and resources required for the events industry in a post Brexit environment.