Members of Parliament are to meet with a collection of high profile members of the UK events industry in a closed-door dinner as part of the Britain for Events campaign.

To be held on 2 February 2012, the dinner will include 25 industry representatives, five MPs including the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, Nick de Bois; Bob Blackman MP (HarrowEast); Bob Stewart MP (Beckenham); Steve Brine MP (Winchester and ChandlersFord); and Tom Greatrex MP (Rutherglen and Hamilton West). There will also be attendance from Lady Cobham (VisitEngland) and Lord Triesman.

The dinner will be co-chaired by Nick de Bois MP and the Chair of the Business Visits and Events Partnership, Michael Hirst, with the intention of creating closer partnership between government and industry to increase the UK event industry’s international competitiveness.

Other confirmed attendees include the MD for Sales and Marketing at Zibrant, Fay Sharpe; the Chief Executive Officer of Banks Sadler, Leigh Jagger; the Chief Executive of Excel London, Kevin Murphy; Portfolio Director of the Confex Group, Jonny Sullens; Director of Sales at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Ben Goedegebuure; and the Chief Executive of the Meetings Industry Association, Jane Longhurst.

Now in its 10th year, Britain for Events is an annual campaign designed to promote the value of event tourism to the British economy and celebrate the creativity of those organisations within it. Endorsed by the Minister for Tourism, John Penrose MP, the Business Visits and Events Partnership and national tourism body VisitBritain, the campaign also has the support of the regional tourism bodies from England and Scotland, along with a number of high profile industry and corporate brands.

The campaign will run until March 2012, focusing on every aspect of the events industry from live music and sport, festivals and cultural events tomeetings and conferences, exhibitions and trade shows.

Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net