The Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) has tapped into the first day of the Olympic Games in London to urge prime minister David Cameron to do more to help attract international events to Britain.

In a letter dated 27 July, the BVEP urged ministers across the UK Government to support the use of exhibitions, conferences and meetings to promote research and scientific development, trade and exports.

The BVEP, which claims to represent leading players in the business events sector, said there would be a £500m boost to business events from the London Olympics and Paralympic Games, due to an additional 20 per cent in expenditure derived from business and incentive groups visiting the Games, holding meetings and special events and extending their stay around Britain.

BVEP also quoted research that reveals 20 per cent of existing conference and exhibition venues are being upgraded or extended, with £1bn being spent on improvements.

“Britain’s events industry will be a major beneficiary of the London Olympics,” BVEP chairman Michael Hirst said. “Through the creativity of the sector, conferences and trade shows in Britain can proudly present Britain’s business opportunities to the world.

“By stepping up their involvement in bidding for international events relating to their departmental responsibilities, Government ministers can help facilitate more business events in Britain. These will help promote British goods and services and develop our expertise for medical and scientific research.

“The Olympic Games shows just how good our event management skills are in staging international events. We must build on these strengths to help our economic recovery.”

The letter also drew attention to the inclusion of the events sector in the Government’s GREAT promotion and the current Britain For Events campaign, which highlights the economic and social benefits of holding events in local destinations.

The BVEP plans to lobby the House of Commons about the state of the UK events business and put the industry’s case forward to members of Parliament and municipal leaders on 5 September.
 
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