VISITBRITAIN UPDATE
WINNING BUSINESS EVENTS FOR
BRITAIN
The formation of the Event Industry Board (EIB)
and the re-adoption of VisitBritain’s remit for
Business Visits & Events (BV&E) were the first
stages in renewed support and commitment to the
sector.
The emerging priorities at a nation-wide level are
to:
Chris Foy
Head of Business Visits & Events
VisitBritain
• Build and sustain demand for Britain as a
BV&E destination
• Support the winning of targeted bids and add
value to those events already won
Work has already begun on both fronts.
One of the EIB’s priority objectives is to enhance
the non-financial “soft power” support available to
secure events for Britain. Achieving this level of
cross-Government support and co-ordination will
be led by VisitBritain, DCMS and other partners
across Whitehall as part of an Event Support
Programme.
Funding from the Government’s GREAT Britain
campaign will also be made available through
the Event Support Programme to provide direct
financial support for campaigns to secure events
and boost the value of international business
events in Britain. Full criteria for applications to
the Event Support Programme will be published
shortly. However, it is important to note that
only business events with, or with potential for
a significant international dimension will be
considered.
In addition, VisitBritain are developing a marketing
plan to build and sustain demand for Britain as a
business events destination. This is designed to
add value to the work being delivered in market
by UK partners, and bring a new dynamic to the
way that Britain is positioned in the events sector.
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