Why events matter - an introduction to the events industry
Contributed by Mike Fletcher, Director of News & Content, The Business of Events.
If you’re new to event management as a career or enjoy organising events as part of a broader role, such as in human resources or as an executive assistant, congratulations – you are part of an essential creative industry that adds £61.6 billion to the UK economy each year.
You see, events are much more than simple gatherings; they serve as powerful economic drivers supporting hotels, tourism, hospitality, and urban infrastructure.
According to Visit Britain, around 6.5 million business visitors visit the UK each year, with 1.5 million business event visitors attending meetings and conferences.
These business visitors are estimated to spend around £5.2 billion, bringing with them expertise and opportunities for investment and job creation.
Your role in organising events is crucial for driving business growth, knowledge sharing, and idea exchange, often resulting in groundbreaking discoveries, innovative collaborations, and compelling brand storytelling that foster deeper engagement. By bringing people together face-to-face, you facilitate serendipitous connections that emails and Zoom calls simply cannot replicate.
You’re also part of a little-known British success story. The UK’s expertise in organising major sporting, music, and cultural events is respected and renowned worldwide, leading to British suppliers and consultants working on major international concert tours, Olympic Games, and other high-profile events.
Moreover, home-grown exhibition organisers rank in first, second, and third place among the top 20 global exhibition companies. British companies, Informa, RX, and Clarion generated more revenue in 2023 than the remaining 17 international companies combined.
Events also play a vital role in the visitor economy. UK towns and cities use them to support regional trade sectors, grow international links, and build their destination's reputation on a global stage.
Take Liverpool’s hosting of Eurovision for Ukraine in 2023, for example. In the 12 months following the event, the city experienced an additional £11.1 million boost to its economy, driven by 72,454 repeat visits by Eurovision attendees. Liverpool now ranks among the top 10 most recognised non-capital cities worldwide, despite not being in the top 100 cities globally by population.
So, the next time you’re asked to organise a meeting, conference, trade show stand, or brand experience, remember that you’re not just ticking a task off a to-do list - you’re contributing to an industry with real economic, cultural, and social impact.
Whether your event is small or large, local or global, it has the potential to spark ideas, strengthen communities, and create memories that last long after the final guest has gone home.
In other words, you’re helping to shape the future of business, culture, and connection, one event at a time.
