Market intelligence for live event promoters and producers | November 2021

Music | Sport | Culture

Roaring return

Welsh events industry poised for a comeback

Under cover options

Government ’ s Reinsurance scheme explored

Big interview

London Marathon ’ s Hugh Brasher

Winter warmers

The evolution of festive events

In partnership with

Tackling the environmental aftermath of events

Fast forward

Goodwood Revival ’ s new environmental approach

Market intelligence for live event promoters and producers | October 2021

Finding the right fit

Big interview AEG ’ s Jim King

In partnership with

Music | Sport | Culture

WINTER 21 / 22 | WELCOME

EDITOR Christopher Barrett

JUNIOR NEWS REPORTER Joe Gallop

DIGITAL & COMMUNITY EDITOR Cameron Roberts

SALES DIRECTOR James Linin

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Sabrina Boucher

SALES MANAGER Joanne Knowles

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Robert Fletcher

PAGE PRODUCTION PA Media

COVER IMAGE Ralph Larmann

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Duncan Siegle

PUBLISHED BY MASH MEDIA GROUP Second Floor , Applemarket House , 17 Union Street , Kingston Upon Thames KT1 1RP . Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 20 8481 11 22

SUBSCRIPTION : Free to qualified readers within UK , Non-qualified readers within UK - £ 50 , Readers in Europe / Eire - £ 70 , Worldwide - £ 105 .

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES : Tel : 020 8481 11 28 . Address : Access All Areas , Second Floor , Applemarket House , 17 Union Street , Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 1RP .

The opinions expressed by contributors to this publication are not always a reflection of the opinions or the policy of the publishers . Information on services or products contained within editorial sections does not imply recommendation by Access All Areas . No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without written authority of Mash Media .

Subscribe on www . accessaa . co . uk

At a time when event organisers were already coping with faltering consumer confidence and no-shows , the Government ’ s introduction of its Plan B has widely been seen as unhelpful , but for the majority of venues and promoters it changes little – safety protocols have been in place at the vast majority of events since the reopening in July .

While it ’ s absurd that Boris Johnson considers extra safety measures necessary at well ventilated and professionally-run events venues while the public can leave their masks and passes at home while on a pub crawl , full-capacity events could only be dreamed of this time last year and there remains plenty of reasons for optimism .

Along with the Commonwealth Games , next year ’ s event landmarks include the return of the highest selling touring act in the world to UK stadiums . In May , Ed Sheeran will begin a 19-date UK stadium tour that will not only entertain more than 1 million fans but will bring work to countless freelancers and suppliers across the industry . On page 26 , the core team behind the campaign discuss the details .

Already home to many world-leading arena venues , the UK ’ s position at the vanguard of the sector is soon to be strengthened with the opening of a series of state-of-the-art new buildings . We hear from leading operators including ASM Global , AEG Europe and Oak View Group what the new openings mean for existing venues .

In this final issue of what has been another year like no other for the events industry , we look at challenges such as security personnel shortages ( P41 ) and women ’ s safety ( P46 ) but also the hugely positive social impact of events ( P35 ).

As an industry , we ’ ve come a long way and worked collectively to achieve a great deal in the past 12 months . Here ’ s to another year of progress .

05