Government to review business events sector following Select Committee inquiry
06 January 2026
The recent Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee inquiry into the UK’s Major Events sector will result in a series of recommendations being presented to government to strengthen the business events sector and support new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The inquiry took place in Parliament on 09 December and was chaired by Dame Caroline Dineage DBE MP. The committee comprised an influential group of cross-party MPs. Senior business events leaders representing the sector were Rachel Parker, Director at the Events Industry Alliance; Faye Dyer, Chief Executive at ACC Liverpool; and Robert Wright, founder and CEO of industry Think Tank, the Business of Events.
The witnesses called to give evidence made a comprehensive case for increased government support, highlighting the sector’s role in driving UK trade and investment, and supporting relationship-building, innovation and reputation management. They also outlined key challenges such as international competition and the lack of a clear long-term roadmap for the sector.
Several recommendations were made to the Committee during the evidence session, including:
- A dedicated Business Events 2030 Roadmap with clear strategic direction and government/public sector engagement commitments
- Continued investment in VisitBritain’s Business Events Growth Programme and international promotion of England under the MeetEngland brand
- A cross government working group (DCMS, DBT, Health, Transport, DWP, Defence and others) with links to the Governments current industrial strategy
- Ministerial/senior leadership commitment to attend major trade shows and business events that link to specific growth sectors
- Recognition in the industrial strategy and promotion of the UK's business event sector internationally
- A separate strategic channel for business events, acknowledging its distinct ecosystem and funding models
- Cost competitiveness measures, including visa simplification and mutual recognition agreements
- Consistent measurement frameworks for value across all three event sectors (cultural, sporting and business) that recognise different metrics and outcomes
- Export promotion of UK event delivery expertise internationally and support for UK organisers bidding for events globally
- Soft power positioning of business events as essential relationship building and thought leadership platforms in UK trade and international strategy
- A Government led promotional campaign encouraging international business events to be held in the UK
The committee will now put forward its recommendations within a dedicated Parliamentary Report to Government, with the initial report expected in the spring of 2026.
Further information on the session and the work of the Committee can be found here
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