Insight: Issue 103 | 7 Sept
Cameron
Can you Adam and Eve it – September already?!?
Well this year’s shaping up to be a bit of a mixed bag isn’t it… but true to form we’ve got more events news that you can shake a ruddy great stick at.
In the week we saw pointy ears, hobbits and one rings return to Middle Earth, let’s take a little step back and see what’s going on in the magical world of events:
The events industry must fight once more as Liz Truss becomes PM
Well… there we have it. Another day, another PM. And with very little information regarding business or event industry support, it looks likes there may be more challenging times ahead for event profs everywhere.
Unfortunately, the looming hardships don’t stop at the current energy situation. Delays to the National Marketing Budget have taken place (courtesy of everyone’s favourite panto villian Jacob Rees-Mogg), and urgency over updates is needed to Standardised Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, a system essential to shoring up the future of the events industry.
Key representatives from the sector have appealed to the government for clarity on what measures are to be taken, effective immediately.
Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association, comments,
“It is now vital that the new prime minister takes this opportunity to be decisive in tackling the cost inflation crisis, over the coming days, by reducing VAT across the board, extending business rates relief and implementing an energy cap for small medium enterprise businesses,
“Over the coming weeks without an effective intervention from the Government, we will see thousands of businesses go to the wall and millions of jobs lost.”
Stressing the need for urgency, Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association says,
“We’re calling on the new Prime Minister Liz Truss to recognise business meetings and events industry and the value it brings to the UK economy – supporting international trade and investment.
“Britain’s events industry is large and complex. We need government to recognise our industry and how it can support the UK’s objectives to be a world leader.”
Let’s cross our fingers something pretty darn effective is going to happen pronto!
Events back in full swing as organisers see record rise in investment
Event management giants, AEG Global Partnerships, has reported a 65 per cent increase in investment from 2019, a sign that demand for “real interaction” and live experience in on the up.
With an abundant programme of live events throughout Summer 2022, including Luno’s partnership with All Points East, a festival which saw more that half (53%) of attendees being GenZ or Millenial, it seems business is back with bells on.
Will Dowdy, Vice President of Global Partnerships at AEG Europe, stresses the value of live experience,
“Partnerships are evolving, and companies now recognise that if they can enhance an experience or add to an already-amazing day, whether that is through exclusive content, technology-enabled activations or on-site interactions, the consumer will forever link their brand to the warm emotion they felt at that time.”
Throughout the last few months at the 77 events they’ve held, ACG have worked with brands such as Vodafone, Ray-Ban, Reddit and SAE to use “creative activations” in order to “build relationships with younger audiences” and generate loyalty.
Glasgow to Host 2024 World Science Fiction Convention
Calling all trekkies, Jedi knights and pot(ter)heads – Glasgow is hosting the annual 82nd Worldcon! From August 8-12 2024, upwards of 5000 Science Fiction fanatics from all over the globe will flock to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) to enjoy a programme of more than 1000 events, including everything from autograph sessions and films, to panels, talks and workshops.
Fans will be able to catch special guests such as British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) nominated artist Chris Baker, legendary Scottish science fiction author Ken Macleod, and Nnedi Okorafor, comic writer and novelist whose contributions include Marvel’s Black Panther series.
It is expected that the event will boost Glasgow’s economy by a whopping £13 million in attendee spend – the force is definitely strong with this one.
Discussing the event, Glasgow 2024 Worldcon Chair Esther MacCallum-Stewart, said:
“It’s a huge honour to host the Worldcon, and our team have worked incredibly hard to get here. We can’t wait to bring our blend of inclusion, caring and imagination to the Glasgow 2024 Worldcon, and create an event that is both exciting and innovative. This really is a Worldcon for our futures!”
#Livelongandprosper
Find out about the National Events Funding Programme and how you can apply
The National Events Programme is a fund run by the EventScotland team, set up to assist in the delivery of the national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage. It is designed to support public-facing live sporting and cultural events outwith the local authority areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the intention of driving domestic tourism within Scotland.
Anywhere between £5000 and £25,000 is on offer to events that demonstrate alignment with key impact areas identified in the strategy, and must fulfil the following criteria:
– Include delivery budgets in excess of £20,000
– Attract more than 1,000 in-person attendees
– Showcase Scotland’s key event and tourism assets.
EventScotland will assess eligibility on key impact areas: Economic – Tourism and Business; Brand, Identity and Reputation; Media and Profile; Social and Cultural, and; Sustainability.
Round 47 is now open for applications from eligible events taking place from January to June (inclusive) 2023. The application deadline is Wednesday 28 September 2022 at 5pm.
That’s a wrap guys and gals.
We’ll see all your lovely faces (in a digital / metaphorical sense) next week for some more events chitchat.