The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) is launching a campaign, 1 July, urging UK and EU policymakers to prioritise the establishment of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the business events sector in future trade discussions.
The UK’s business events industry is a vital economic engine, hosting over 1,100 exhibitions and attracting more than seven million attendees annually. With over 100,000 jobs supported across the country, the sector contributes significantly to regional and national economies. In 2023 alone, the industry grew by 17% – far outpacing the UK’s GDP growth of just 0.1%.
Whilst other creative sectors have received reassurance of ongoing discussions to solve issues, such as touring musicians, the events industry remains largely excluded from the discussion.
UK-based event suppliers and professionals face mounting challenges and increased costs for EU exhibitors. A recent EIA survey revealed that 82% of business event suppliers surveyed believe Brexit has negatively impacted their operations, with 67% reporting direct business losses.
One high-profile casualty of these trade barriers was the relocation of the world’s largest gaming and technology trade show from London to Barcelona – resulting in an estimated £250m loss to the UK economy.
The trade association believe there is an opportunity to strengthen economic collaboration and restore the UK’s position as a premier global destination for business events. The aim of this is to support smoother short-term cross-border activity, maintain the UK’s strong position in global trade and strengthen the appeal of the UK as a venue for international events.
EIA claims that post-Brexit challenges – from increased paperwork to mobility restrictions – are making it harder for businesses to exhibit and operate across borders.
A spokesperson for the EIA said: “The perception that the UK is less welcoming, less efficient and less accessible than European counterparts must be urgently addressed if the UK is to remain a global meeting place for industry, innovation and investment. A Mutual Recognition Agreement with the EU would reduce red tape, restore confidence and enable UK and EU businesses to collaborate more freely.”
The campaign is also backed by a cross party grouping of MPs in Parliament. Shaun Davies (pictured), Labour MP for Telford and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events said: “Business events are a vital driver of trade, innovation and regional growth across the UK. Ensuring this sector can thrive in a global context is in all our interests. A Mutual Recognition Agreement between the UK and EU, focused on the events industry, is a practical step that could reduce friction, support exporters and reaffirm the UK’s role as a world-leading destination for business.”
The campaign is also backed by EEIA, the European Exhibition Industry Alliance, whose secretary general Barbara Weizsäcker, said:
“Reducing current administrative and mobility barriers through a sector-specific Mutual Recognition Agreement would be a welcome step. It would not only ease operational challenges on both sides but also strengthen co-operation between our industries, supporting growth and innovation both in the UK and the European Union.”
The EIA is calling on the UK Government to:
– Pursue bilateral agreements with EU Member States to allow visa-free travel for event professionals.
– Support the development of a sector-specific MRA to ease cross-border operations for UK and EU event businesses.
The UK–EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides a framework for such MRAs, and the EIA believes this is a timely and achievable step.
The post UK’s Events Industry Alliance calls for a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the EU on business events appeared first on Exhibition News | The trade for shows..