39 UK events industry
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We take the temperature of the UK events community and Rick Stainton updates us on the valuable work being done by The Power of Events to promote the breadth of our sector . Heather Lishman also fills us in on the work of the country ’ s leading PCO association
ow to define the UK events community has long been a bone of contention and an Achilles heel that has hampered our great profession and sector from gaining the full recognition it deserves .
One organisation that has taken up that gauntlet to cut through the miasma and acronyms is The Power of Events ( PoE UK ), a not-for-profit company established in 2022 to deliver a much-needed comprehensive platform to showcase the UK events industry for the first time . This one-stop showcase for the UK events industry allows us to explore all the elements that make up this diverse industry across the Four Nations . The platform maps out the seven
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COMMUNITY SPIRIT |
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core sectors and signposts to the four key industry communities – the multiple trade associations , the support organisations , industry media and UK universities working as research partners to support the data needs of the industry .
Conference News asked founder and driver of the Power of Events , Rick Stainton how he defined the UK events community , and what of the role of conference organisers
“ For the first time , the events industry is clearly defined , and importantly defined by the industry itself .”
within that ? He outlines seven component sectors :
• Bespoke Sport Events ,
• Business and Brand Experiences
• Congress and Exhibitions
• Music and Live Performances
• Outdoor Events and Festivals
• Public & Third Sector Events
• Weddings and Private Events .
“ It ’ s now clearly defined , for the first time , and importantly defined by the industry itself , on www . thepowerofevents . org ,” he says .
“ Conference organisers are clearly within Business Experiences , which pre-pandemic was estimated by a number of trade organisations at circa £ 16bn value to the economy , within a total industry value of circa £ 70bn . So , what does Stainton think are the unique challenges facing the UK events community ?
“ There is no doubt there is a legacy still from the pandemic – these include client confidence and long-term decision making , lead times , budget scrutiny , talent and resource squeeze .” To this he adds organisations striving to develop robust employee welfare and hybrid working policies and career progression plans , although these
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