BVEP’s rebrand, another new Tourism Minister, Elevate’s new training programme, and more

This Monday’s Insights (07 November) feature brings you BVEP’s rebrand, another new Tourism Minister, Elevate’s new training programme, and more.

Headlines

Bereaved families and survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing are reportedly “frustrated” that a security law for venues has still not been introduced.

Martyn’s Law (known as Protect Duty) campaigner Figen Murray, whose son Martyn was killed in the bombing, has called on the live events industry to support her.

Figan is calling on the industry to write an open letter and publish it in the newspapers, pushing for increased anti-terrorism measures at publicly accessible facilities such as venues.

Here’s what Figan told Conference News this week. 

A new UK Tourism Minister has been announced. 

Just weeks after Lord Kamall took up the post, Stuart Andrew has been appointed.

VisitBritain has welcomed Andrew to the post: “We are delighted to welcome The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP as the new Minister for Sport, Tourism, and Civil Society, and Minister for Equalities, appointed by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).”

Rishi Sunak has told COP27 that investing in green infrastructure is morally the right thing to do. 

According to the BBC, Mr Sunak said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a critical moment, and should prompt developing countries to deliver green growth.

Read more on BBC News.

Should conference organisers pay their speakers?

That’s the questions asked by Holly Patrick at Meetings and Incentive Travel recently.

“There’s always a budget for caterers, AV, and carpet, yet speakers are often compensated in ‘exposure’ or travel expenses,” Holly writes.

“With event planners looking to save the pennies wherever possible, it might make sense to cut costs in places where people don’t always expect to be paid. But for some the ‘empty kitty’ defence is wearing thin.”

Read the full feature here.

The Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) has unveiled its new brand identity, UK Events.

The BVEP says the move represents its commitment to strengthening its position as the collective single voice for the UK events industry. It also says it aims to continue growing its influence and collaboration with other aligned organisations and sectors.

The change follows a successful consultation period with the organisation’s member partners.

Chris Skeith OBE, Chair, UK Events said: “We are delighted to reveal the UK Events identity to our peers, members, and the wider industry, and truly believe the changes better reflect the diverse nature of the events sector our partners represent which has grown to not only include meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows, but also incentive travel, event hospitality, ceremonies, sporting, cultural, outdoor and festivals.

“Many positive things have been mused, actioned, and executed under the BVEP name, and BTP (British Tourism Partnership) before it, and I know I speak for many of our members and executives when I say we’re proud of all that we have achieved, and how we’ve evolved since the partnership was formed in 1999. 

“But progression is about moving forward and adopting alternative approaches, and I look forward to continuing our work with a fresh and exciting new look. The UK Events name incorporates how our members are adapting and growing in line with the UK’s ever-changing events industry, and demonstrates that as a collective, our sector is a serious contender for international trade, exports and inward investment.”

Elevate has launched a training programme called ‘ElevatingPeople’.

Elevate is a unique, free mentoring programme and consultancy for the creative and events industries. According to Conference News, its new programme is based on the three pillars of: sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and mental health. It also forms part of a long-term ESG strategy – ‘Elevating Purpose’.

Read more on Conference News.