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Launch of Major Events Sector Research project

Leading trade body Eventia has announced the launch of its 2010 ‘UK Event Market Trends Survey’ (UKEMTS) research. This major research project, undertaken annually since 1993, measures the volume and value of the UK conference and business events market from a supply-side or venue perspective.

The results provide the definitive estimate of the market’s value in terms of direct revenue to event venues, and are widely used to inform investment, advocacy and marketing activities. The 2009 research estimated that the sector was worth some £7.2 billion, compared with £8 billion the year before.

The 2010 UKEMTS will look at producing estimates for the wider economic impact of business events on the national economy. It will also be gathering data from venues on the number of events held during 2009, rates achieved, event duration and size, client type, lead times, and projections for business levels and product investments in 2010.

The survey questionnaire is available online and as a Word document and will remain open until 2 April. The report will be available in June 2010.

This important research is being supported by several leading industry organisations including: Confex Group’s Venuefinder.com, VisitBritain, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Conference Centres of Excellence, and MeetEngland (the business visits and events arm of the national tourism organisation, VisitEngland).

Duncan Reid, Portfolio Director, Confex Group, commented: “In an ever-changing industry like events, the need for, and importance of, quality research, is vital to any business. Business decisions that are based on good intelligence and good market research can minimise risk, identify opportunities, create benchmarks as well as help businesses to measure their progress. We are pleased to be a Principal Sponsor for this year’s ‘UK Events Market Trends Survey’ research.”

Izania Downie, Eventia CEO, said: “We are working hard to build on the success of last year’s research, when a record 512 venues took part. Through collaboration with convention bureaux, national tourist organisations, industry trade associations, venue marketing consortia, and the trade media, we hope to exceed the number of reporting venues and ensure the survey findings accurately reflect the scale of our industry and its key trends.”

To access the survey questionnaire, click here.