Planning permission
here is no point making plans based on what might be , we can only drive ahead and make decisions based on the facts that exist before us . At the time of press , the restart date of 1 October is ‘ under review ’, meaning that it will either be delayed , or it will go ahead as planned . Of course , it matters a great deal , but in the grand scheme of things it is not as important as the thrust of our cover story ( p18 ).
It seems that for most of 2020 people have been asking why the events industry has been left behind by Government , and rightly so . There are some who believe it is a willing conspiracy theory against us , but I find that a bit odd . The reality is actually quite simple : most ‘ events ’ businesses aren ’ t ‘ events businesses ’ at all . Many are using the wrong Standardised Industrial Classification code and , therefore , in the eyes of HM Treasury are not events businesses . This means our economic value is reduced , and we don ’ t appear on paper as the £ 70bn events industry (£ 19bn conferences and meetings ) that we tell people we are .
Elsewhere in this issue , we speak to a pair of corporate event managers to understand more about their organisations ’ plans with regards to events . It paints a mixed picture , which I am sure will not surprise you .
We have also reintroduced columnists into the magazine this month . This is something we will continue to do , but to ensure fresh ideas and different outlooks , we will feature different ones each month . If you have something to share , which isn ’ t a cheap sell , you know where to find me .
The next few months will be choppy as the industry tries to find its head again , but even if events can ’ t run just yet , you still have permission to plan .
Martin Fullard Editor Conference News www . conference-news . co . uk