HBAA chair Lex Butler reflects on how Covid has changed the industry and shares her thoughts on what it needs to do in response
he meetings and events industry has been on hold for six months and is , at last , cautiously emerging from lockdown , subject to any sudden changes in law . We were the first to shut our doors and we will be the last to reopen . Our sector has been decimated with thousands of job losses and permanent business closures ; people who have been around for decades .
Our clients have re-evaluated their future strategies and continue to do so . Is it financially viable for them to deliver events ? Does policy and due diligence mean they no longer want to risk running them ? It is all very much up in the air . It is tough for freelancers and the huge supply chains that we rely on , too .
That is why is it more important than ever to stand together as one industry to push forward , why we support the One Industry One Voice campaign . We are part of an industry that influences the world . We touch lives , influence policy , saves lives , create jobs and business and change the world . It is imperative we unite to remind everyone of how we contribute and ensure they take notice .
As a partner of BVEP , HBAA has been frequently sharing data on what members are going through . We have used our voice to Government to forcefully put forward their critical issues and needs and this will continue to be a strong focus as we move forward . During these campaigns , we realised the need for our sector to have its own SIC ( Standard Industrial Classification ) as the Government doesn ’ t recognise us as an entity in its records , only as part of hospitality , tourism or ‘ other .’ We will continue to push for this . While Nigel Huddleston MP said during UKickstart that the industry now has a real voice in Government we must keep talking to them and shine a light on our economic worth , to show how many people we employ and the numbers of people and businesses currently at risk .
Above : Lex Butler , HBAA chair
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Government
Digest needs to be able to identify us , appreciate us and understand what we need to get back to business .
During this time , we ’ ve learnt so much about ourselves , the industry and our businesses and , based on those learnings , it ’ s time to adapt and introduce new initiatives , diversification and new approaches . The time has come to rethink our association , how we can best support our members . Soon we will launch the HBAA ’ s new vision and reveal how we ’ re changing to be future fit for our members and for this industry .
The major hurdle is client confidence . Our clients need confidence , that their live and hybrid events are safe , compliant with legal requirements and without financial risk . This can only come from our industry so we must stand together to give everyone the confidence to return , supported by a government that recognises the needs of our sector .
Outside of insufficient Government financial support for our industry , the lack of corporate customer confidence is the biggest threat to its future .
Join the One Industry One Voice campaign at www . mustbeonit . com / oneindustryonevoice www . conference-news . co . uk