beam’s new Chair, DCMS Committee Report criticises the Government, Glasgow benefits from COP26, and more.

This Monday’s Insights (31 October) feature brings you beam’s new Chair, DCMS Committee Report criticising the Government, Glasgow benefitting from COP26, and more.

Headlines

beam’s new Chair has been revealed. The UK trade association for the business events, accommodation and seetings industry, has appointed Sian Sayward.

With the appointment of beam’s new Chair, along with the board’s reassigned roles and objectives, Juliet Price will have a new role as Development Consultant, working with the board to focus on a growth and expansion strategy, supporting the directors leading the association.

Sian Sayward, a long-serving beam board member who continues to be Governance Director, said: “This is a tremendous honour. With our revitalised sense of purpose, our expanded board, action groups and broader membership, we are well set to grow and to drive the industry and the association forward. I’m greatly looking forward to leading beam with so many supportive colleagues. It’s an exciting challenge.”

The appointments were announced at beam’s 25th-anniversary gala dinner at Radisson RED London Heathrow.

Read more about beam’s new Chair and other changes, at beam-org.uk.

Martin Fullard has analysed a DCMS Committee Report, which criticises the Government for failing to implement the de Bois Review’s recommendations and delayed VisitBritain marketing funding.

The de Bois Review: an independent review of Destination Management Organisations in England was published in August 2021 and made 12 recommendations to streamline funding and tackle confusing and unsustainable overlapping. Currently, there is no consistent funding for DMOs, with some receiving money from local authorities and others through private means.

Read Martin’s analysis here. 

Glasgow Convention Bureau has considered how Scotland’s largest city has benefitted from hosting COP26.

The UK Government prepares to hand the COP Presidency over to Egypt at COP27 in November. And Glasgow Convention Bureau has been looking at how Scotland’s largest city has benefited from hosting the prestigious UN Conference 12 months ago.

While governments around the world focus on delivering the four goals outlined in the Glasgow Climate Pact – turning the momentum from the globally significant conference into action – the city’s conventions team has been working to identify the lasting legacy from COP26.

Feedback from Glasgow’s tourism and conventions sector, as evidenced in the Bureau’s 2022 Business Survey, found that more than half (60%) of city tourism businesses improved their sustainability credentials as a result of COP26. This was with a particular focus on reducing food waste and lowering energy consumption.

Additionally, the majority of respondents (more than 70%) said that hosting COP26 raised their awareness of climate change.

Janice Fisher, co-chair of the Greater Glasgow Hoteliers Association (GGHA), said: “The city’s hotel community understood the need to clearly communicate our green credentials and sustainable practices to the COP26 delegates, and we have taken these learnings forward to support future conferences meeting in our city.

“Over the last year, Glasgow’s hotels have increased their number of electric vehicle charging points, worked on removing single-use plastic, and we have been encouraging all GGHA members to apply for Green Tourism accreditation as best practice.”

Gordon Hodge, Head of Conferencing and Events at the University of Strathclyde, added: “The University is committed to reducing emissions by 70% by 2025. We’ve developed a sustainability webpage to help organisers and delegates make more sustainable choices, and our conference apps reduce the need for printed materials. Standardised buffet options have streamlined our kitchen operations, reducing waste and energy consumption while maintaining quality and value.

“We’ve completely removed red meat from our menus, and any single-use items are now compostable. We’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised, just this month, with a Green Meetings Gold Award to add to our Green Tourism Gold status.”

Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales at the Scottish Event Campus, said: “COP26 has had a transformative effect on our business and has accelerated our sustainability ambitions. It was the catalyst for our commitment to being net zero by 2030, and importantly, it has been the driver for the creation of the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative that is shaping the events industry for a more sustainable future worldwide.

“It has also impacted the perception of our business and Glasgow on a global stage, cementing our rightful reputation as a truly global city capable of staging the largest and most complex of events, and it has elevated Scotland’s profile as a country that is committed to a greener future.

“As the host venue we’re forever part of the COP story, and the SEC and Glasgow’s legacy will always be remembered. It’s been a privilege to be part of the city’s COP26 journey and the SEC is thrilled to continue to contribute to and lead the industry to a more sustainable future.”

Has ‘entrepreneur’ become a dirty word for eventprofs?

Jack Jacob, CEO and founder of PNE, has explored this question following his recent experiences on social media. 

Writing for in M&IT, he says: “The events industry is full of entrepreneurs; the creativity, passion and can-do attitude a person needs to run events also lends itself very well to creating and leading a company. But I have recently seen a worrying trend of people on social media speaking negatively about entrepreneurship… well hard work in general.”

Read Jack’s full feature here.

Industry trade associations have been reacting to Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister.

The overarching view is he must do more to recognise our sector and act fast on energy costs.

beam has called on Sunak to continue the energy price cap. And the Meetings Industry Association asks him to act now on energy costs.

Read Holly Patrick’s feature in full, here, on M&IT.

DOUBLE TAKE

Trainers (or sneakers) could be taking over as the footwear of choice at exhibitions.

This is according to a recent feature in Skift Meetings.

Anna Huddleston and Andrea Doyle have addressed the question. So, are they are part of the new dress code for business events?

“If our team is comfortable in their shoes, they will be comfortable talking to our clients and customers and representing our city the best way we can,” Joshua Albrecht, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Milwaukee, told Skift.

Read the full insights here.