The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) has appointed a public
affairs adviser to aid its engagement with Parliament and help strengthen the
event’s sector’s profile within government.
Strategic consultancy Henham Strategy will work with the
alliance – the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association of Event
Venues (AEV) and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) – to help their
members and the wider sector gain recognition within policy discussions around
growth, trade and investment.
This move will be a welcomed one for a sector that has struggled
to achieve effective advocacy in recent years.
As Association Meetings International editor James Lancaster
says in this episode of The Meeting Room, the formation of multiple international
associations and organisations has ‘muddied the water’ and arguably weakened
the sector’s position with governments around the world.
Speaking with one ‘loud voice’ as opposed to a many small
ones, is a step in the right direction and would help during times of crisis,
agrees Anna Abdelnoor, CEO and founder of isla.
In this opinion piece for AMI she criticises the industry’s lack
of advocacy, urging it to pull together and speak out in the face of the
current crisis in the Middle East.
“If we were behaving like a mature industry, this current
conflict would trigger coordinated action from industry leaders,” she writes.
“A mature industry with real leadership would present a
consolidated, unified, calm, grown-up position.”
EIA director and CEO, AEV, Rachel Parker, said appointing a
public affairs adviser marked an ‘important
new chapter’ for the EIA and the sector.
“As international competition intensifies and other
countries sharpen their focus on business events, it is essential that the UK
matches that ambition,” she said.
Henham Strategy managing director Nick King, said: “Both
inside and outside of government, I’ve seen first-hand the economic impact
business events deliver, both nationally and across the regions.
“We are delighted to be working with the EIA to ensure
policymakers fully recognise the sector’s central role in the UK’s growth
story.”
Emma has been a journalist for over 20 years, with experience working in both local and trade media. After reporting on the fast-paced world of hospitality for many years, Emma is enjoying this transition into the equally exciting world of events to cover Holly Patrick’s role on AMI and M&IT while she takes her maternity leave.
