New White Paper reveals a booming events sector and debunks industry myths

The report by Access All Areas, NTIA, and We Are The Fair says the sector has raised £5bn for the UK
events
SHARE

Events are breathing new life into regional economies, boosting local businesses and creating a culturally rich and lucrative future for UK Plc, says a ground-breaking report by CN sister title for outdoor events Access All Areas, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and We Are the Fair.

The events revolution has seen UK festival numbers swell from a handful in the 90s to more than 1,000 last year, netting £5bn for UK Plc. Despite this, negative media coverage has warped public and institutional perceptions.

The Political Economy of Informal Events, 2030 debunks common myths about event-related crime, and outlines emerging growth areas on both a micro and macro level. The results present a strong case for promoting the medium of events to local authorities and planners.

While disparate reports on the impact of events exist, this paper collates and contrasts these for the first time, utilising new data and official government statistics to demonstrate the increased importance events have, both economically and socially.

The findings from the report will be discussed by its authors on the Main Stage at the Event Production Show at 10am on 26 February, Olympia London. The report’s publisher and commissioner Mash Media will be represented on the panel by Julian Agostini (MD, Mash Media), who will be joined by Alan D Miller, (chairman, The Night Time Industries Association) Nick Morgan (CEO, We are the Fair) Kaya Comer-Schwartz from Islington Council.

Agostini said: “When events happen, participants come looking for other services, and are prepared to pay for them. This ground-breaking report shows the radical effects of our industry – but perhaps more importantly it shines a light on how we can help other sectors grow with us.”

The publishers hope that the paper deepens what UK cities and other jurisdictions think and do around events. “If England’s 353 local authorities, together with the unitary authorities run by Scotland (32), Wales (22) and Northern Ireland (11), get together with Business Improvement Districts and other local forces to bring events into their master plans for the future, they will be able make a lot more out of events than they do at present,” added Agostini.

The White Paper draws on economics, politics, sociology and technology to make its case, with exclusive insight from the likes of Warehouse Project founder Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Clare Coghill, leader of Waltham Forest Council.

It estimates the future demand for events and the challenges – particularly around licensing – that are likely to emerge for informal events over the decade to come.

The Political Economy of Informal Events, 2030 was commissioned and published by Mash Media. Foreword by: Julian Agostini, (MD, Mash Media), Alan D Miller, (chairman, The Night Time Industries Association) Nick Morgan (CEO, We Are The Fair). It was written and edited by James Woudhuysen, visiting professor, forecasting & innovation, London South Bank University.

The report will be available for £495.00 + VAT from www.accessaa.co.uk   

You can hear more from the panel at 10am 26 February, Olympia London, at Event Production Show – register here.

Add to favorites Remove from favorites
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print