More than 214 trade associations, convention venues, event organisers and industry suppliers from across the UK's business events sector have called on the UK government to fully implement a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the country's £33.6bn (approximately €38.5bn) business events industry.
The appeal follows a year-long inquiry by the UK parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which published its Business Events report in July 2026. The report concludes that the UK's current approach is limiting its ability to compete internationally for conferences, exhibitions and trade events, and recommends a comprehensive strategy to support future growth.
Among its recommendations are:
A dedicated national strategy for business events to strengthen the UK's international competitiveness.
Greater ministerial engagement with major international business events.
Responsibility for the sector to be aligned more closely with the government's business and trade agenda.
Restoration of funding for VisitBritain's specialist business events team and its Business Events Growth Programme.
For international association meeting planners, the debate highlights the UK's recognition of business events as a key driver of trade, investment, innovation and economic development. Industry leaders argue that conferences and exhibitions should be treated as a strategic economic sector in their own right, rather than as an extension of tourism policy.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chaired the inquiry, said the UK hosts world-class conferences, exhibitions and trade fairs that make a significant contribution to the national economy. She also warned that reducing government support for the sector is counterproductive at a time when business events can help drive economic growth.
Industry representatives point out that the UK is now the only major economy without a fully funded national business events team, while destinations including Ireland, France, Germany and Spain continue to invest in attracting international meetings and events.
The sector also highlights the success of VisitBritain's former Business Events Growth Programme. Between 2018 and its closure, the programme generated a reported 35:1 return on investment, converting less than £1.8 million in government funding into more than £60 million in direct economic impact. It helped secure 167 business events for destinations across the UK, bringing international delegates to cities including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Cambridge and Newport.
Business event delegates already account for approximately 17 per cent of all international visits to the UK. With the government targeting 50 million international visitors annually by 2030, industry leaders argue that sustained investment in business events will be essential if the country is to remain competitive in the global meetings market.
A spokesperson for The Business of Events said the sector is ready to support growth through increased trade, investment, innovation and employment but warned that delays in implementing the committee's recommendations risk allowing competing destinations to win major international events that could otherwise be hosted in the UK.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
