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National Events Strategy, work-life balance expectations, and more
June’s industry news round-up brings important updates – from UKEVENTS calling for a National Events Strategy and work-life balance expectations via MIA report to International Planner Sentiment priorities, and more.
Here’s everything you need to know:
UKEVENTS Calls for National Events Strategy Following Government Spending Review
UKEVENTS offers a cautious welcome to the Government’s Spending Review, recognising several encouraging developments, particularly for sport and regional growth. However, significant opportunities for the wider events sector remain overlooked.
Glenn Bowdin, Chair calls for the Government to work with UKEVENTS to forming a National Events Strategy. He said: “While the Government has recognised the success of events, this has largely been framed through the lens of sport. Sport may be the visible tip of the iceberg, but the wider events industry, spanning culture, business, education and innovation, deserves equal strategic recognition.”
Work-life Balance Expectations Are Damaging Staff Retention
Professionals from across the business meetings and events sector have reported work-life balance expectations are the leading factor impacting staff retention, according to the latest survey by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA).
The research, conducted this June, focussed on one of the industry’s most urgent priorities: its people. It revealed that over half of respondents (53%) have witnessed an increase in burnout, stress or wellbeing-related issues in the past year, with high workloads and tight deadlines cited as the primary causes.
Despite growing awareness, wellbeing is yet to be fully embedded in many organisations. Fewer than half (42%) of respondents said wellbeing is fully integrated into their workplace culture, and just 45% of organisations currently provide managers with training to support mental health wellbeing in the workplace.
Chief Executive of the MIA, Shonali Devereaux, said: “The feedback clearly highlights where the gaps and opportunities lie. Understanding how best to attract, retain and nurture talent in the face of evolving expectations, wellbeing needs and ongoing recruitment challenges is critical to securing a sustainable and successful future for our industry. Our research will lead directly into action, with the MIA providing guidance, training and support for its members in relation to our people.”
International Planner Sentiment Report Unveils Diverging Regional EventProf Priorities
Sponsored by Tourism Ireland and released to coincide with the opening of The Meetings Show, the findings reveal shifting regional attitudes – particularly among North American planners – shaped by changing economic, cultural, and political landscapes.
Key findings include a two-point decline in the importance placed on Sustainability & Social Impact among North American respondents compared to 2024. Equity & Diversity and Cultural Identity also saw a modest decline in this region, down by one point each. In contrast, planners in the UK and Europe rated Equity & Diversity one point higher than last year, creating a four-point transatlantic gap in sentiment – possibly reflecting shifting cultural expectations.
Meanwhile, Cost and Value for Money has increased in importance among European planners, now rated at 10 – up one point from the previous year. This mirrors trends in the UK and likely reflects inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty affecting budgets across the supply chain.
Mike Fletcher, Director of News and Content at The Business of Events, said: “While most sentiment indicators have remained stable, the 2025 data highlights emerging regional divergences – especially in North America – which may indicate broader cultural and economic shifts. This data is invaluable in helping UK destinations and venues adapt their strategies to maintain global competitiveness.”
Read more via The Business of Events, here.
England’s Euro Debut Set to Boost Hospitality by £32m
UK consumers are expected to spend £31.9m at hospitality venues while watching England’s opening match against France in the Women’s Euros tournament, according to a new report.
The Women’s UEFA Euro 2025 Spending Report by VoucherCodes.co.uk shows that during the Group Stage of the Women’s Euros tournament, the hospitality sector will benefit from a £101.4m boost from football fans.
Michael Brandy, senior commercial director at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “With hospitality venues across the country competing for customers, if you’re showing the Euros Matches you should consider offering some enticing deals to nudge fans to spend with you. Giving customers a generous discount or freebie early in the tournament could lead to lasting loyalty across all the games.”
Read more via Conference News.
Mixed Reception for UK’s Industrial Strategy in Tech
Technology industry leaders have responded to the UK government’s newly launched Industrial Strategy, which aims to unlock billions in investment and create 1.1m well-paid jobs over the next decade.
The comprehensive plan targets eight key sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital and technology, financial services, and professional and business services. Each sector will operate under its own 10-year roadmap designed to attract investment, accelerate business growth and generate employment opportunities.
Cisco UK&I CEO, Sarah Walker, said: “Having collaborated closely with the Government on its development, the urgency now lies in expediting its deployment. Technology will play a pivotal role in its success. As well as being one of the eight growth driving sectors, the role of technology will be key across the board and also offers an opportunity to scale the Government’s AI Action Plan both across industry and regionally in the UK.”
Read more via Exhibition News.
UK’s Industrial Strategy a ‘Missed Opportunity’ for Hospitality
UKHospitality said that social mobility and job creation will suffer, as 70% of the economy overlooked.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “This is not an industrial strategy that will deliver growth equally across the UK. In fact, by ignoring 70% of employment it is at odds with the Government’s ambition to create jobs and help people into work. Once again, growth will be distributed unevenly and centred around small industrial clusters that have high barriers to access – hardly a recipe for driving social mobility.”
UKinbound Comments on UK Government’s New Industrial Strategy
The UK Government has launched its Modern Industrial Strategy, a comprehensive 10-year plan designed to boost economic growth, productivity, and global competitiveness. The strategy calls for coordinated action across government departments, industry leaders, investors, and local authorities.
Rather than relying on short-term policies, the strategy outlines a decade-long programme that focuses on four pillars: investment, regulation, places and partnership.
Joss Croft OBE, CEO UKinbound, said: “We welcome the UK Government’s renewed focus on regional growth, skills development, and investment in the creative industries, all of which are essential pillars of a strong and sustainable inbound visitor economy. It is also encouraging to see support for business events, commitments to lowering energy costs, and investment in digital innovation, which will collectively support businesses that bring international visitors to the UK.”
Read more via Exhibition News.
United Kingdom falls to 12th spot in 2025 World Citizenship Index
The United Kingdom has secured the 12th position in the 2025 World Citizenship Index (WCI), released by CS Global Partners in its annual World Citizenship Report.
With a score of 79.3, the UK ranks behind several Nordic nations, including Iceland, Finland, and Sweden.
Micha Rose Emmett, CEO of CS Global Partners said: “Our Index goes beyond simple visa-free access, it is designed to understand what motivates individuals to value one citizenship over another.”
Read more via Conference News.
Hospitality Leaders Lose Confidence as Cost Pressures Mount
The confidence of Britain’s hospitality leaders has fallen for the fifth quarter in a row as pressure mounts on operating costs, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Business Confidence Survey.
The exclusive poll reveals that only a third (33%) of leaders feel confident about prospects for their business over the next 12 months—8% down from October’s figure of 41%. Optimism is now at its lowest point since late 2022, and its second lowest since the Covid lockdowns of 2020. Confidence is even more fragile among independent operators, at just 12%.
Read more via Dineout Magazine.
Blaise Metreweli CMG First Ever Female MI6 Chief
Metreweli CMG is set to become the first ever female chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) as announced by the Prime Minister on 15 June 2025, breaking barriers for women everywhere.
Metreweli CMG will be the 18th chief in the organisation’s history and the first woman to hold the role, at a time when the United Kingdom faces increased threats from our adversaries.
Metreweli, incoming chief of MI6, said: “I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my service. MI6 plays a vital role in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas.”
Read more via Conference News.
UK Hospitality Industry Secures £3m in Savings Through New Initiative
Britain’s pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to save £3 million under emissions cutting scheme.
Funded by the government and delivered by Zero Carbon Services, one of the UK’s leading net-zero advisers for the hospitality sector, the trial is expected to save businesses over £3 million. This will help pubs and restaurants to keep more money in their pockets – while allowing them to invest in jobs and continue to be the hubs of communities.
Minister for Industry Sarah Jones said: “Pubs, restaurants and cafes are a cornerstone for communities across the country, with the hospitality sector employing millions of people and contributing billions to the economy.”
Chancellor Unveils £15bn Investment in UK Transport Infrastructure –
According to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, who spoke at Mellor Bus Factory in Rochdale on 4 June, the money will be ‘spent on tram, train and bus projects in mayoral authorities across the Midlands, the North and the West Country.
Reeves said: “For people living in some of our biggest cities and the towns around them, these measures will mean shorter commute times; They will mean good work, and money flowing back into local economies; They will mean businesses connecting with workers, customers, and supply chains; They will mean the revival of high streets; They will mean young people able to stay close to homes and pursue the opportunities that they dream of; It will mean more growth, more parts of our country benefitting, and more people and more places across the UK feeling better off. In short – they will mean the renewal of our cities and our towns all across the UK.”
View from the EDGE
EDGE Venues’ Managing Director, Scott Ford, summed up the latest monthly insights:
“This month’s headlines tell a story we know all too well – the business events and hospitality sector continues to navigate complex challenges.
“The latest International Planner Sentiment Report shows regional differences in what matters most – be it cost, culture or sustainability. With budget pressures rising and diverging expectations across continents, the ability to adapt quickly to planner priorities is business critical.
“The MIA’s latest findings confirm what many have long suspected – wellbeing and work-life balance are make-or-break issues when it comes to staff retention. That over half of industry professionals are witnessing rising stress should be a wake-up call for all of us. Culture is lived day to day rather than through policy, so how we support, train and empower our teams is essential, now more than ever.
“Finally, the hospitality and events sector deserves a central place in long-term planning. This £60+ billion contributor to the UK economy continues to be overlooked. So, while it’s encouraging to see investment in infrastructure and digital strategy, we echo the call from UKEVENTS – a national events strategy is long overdue.
“For now, resilience and responsiveness will define success. EDGE Venues is here to help our community achieve those by leading with agility! By helping venues optimise their visibility, empowering agencies with better access to deals, and giving corporates seamless tools to identify value-for-money options, we enable our partners to succeed.”
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