At a meeting with key officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, arranged by the former Minister of Tourism, James Purnell, MP, business tourism leaders from the Business Tourism Partnership, stressed the role of the Events’ sector in contributing to the government’s key objective of promoting the creative economy programme.

Examples were given on how the UK was leading the world in Events’ Management with the employment of unrivalled creative talent in devising presentation concepts.

The role of the sector in the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Games was emphasised with Britain’s world-class Event management companies taking lead roles in its organisation.

The necessary establishment of a London International Convention Centre to take advantage of the many large scale gatherings that would be attracted to the City pre and post the Games was also urged.

The continuing growth of trade and tourism expenditures realised from the sector was reiterated. Recent research conducted within the Exhibitions Sector indicated a contribution to the economy of £9.36 billion supporting 137,000 jobs, with £1 billion in tax revenues.

Business tourism accounts for 20% of all tourism visits with many events and exhibitions attracting as many visitors as top visitor attractions.

DCMS officials were asked to use their good offices with their DTI counterparts to have business events reinstated as a supported industry sector within the DTI.

A paper on research priorities was reviewed and the DCMS officials were asked to include business tourism needs in any development of available statistics for tourism overall.

The current situation on developing a Sector Skills Strategy for the Events Sector with matching education and training needs to industry requirements was discussed, as was the possibility of an assessed quality scheme for Event venues.

Ways of improving resources for business tourism promotion to attract more Events to the UK were considered. It was agreed that the DCMS would develop guidance with VisitBritain on ministerial support for UK event bids and DCMS would discuss with VisitBritain options for an events strategy.

It was also agreed that a follow-up meeting would be held and that the Events’ Industry would make representations to the Creative Economy Programme Infrastructure Group