News

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) welcomes the publication of the Governments coronavirus roadmap, announced by the Prime Minister on Monday, which sets out the gradual lifting of restrictions, and in particular the optimism this provides for the UK’s event sector, which continues to face enormous challenges.

However, we do feel there are some important areas that require some further clarification and we have today written to both the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting further detail on the following:

Pilot events: While the plan to launch another series of pilot events, using testing measures as part of the new Events Research Programme, could help speed up the return of live events of all kinds, given these are not currently scheduled to take place until April, we would request Government bring forward the dates of these, as any further delay in re-opening would be devastating for the sector.

Pandemic insurance: As we have previously advocated, the introduction of a government backed insurance scheme, as has been initiated by several other countries, would provide increased confidence and security to allow live events to return safely and viably. We therefore urge the Government to implement this as quickly as possible.

G7 Summit: Given the three-day G7 Summit is due to take place in Cornwall from June 11th 2021, how does the Government plan to manage this, given the planned restrictions on large business events are not due to be fully lifted until June 21st 2021.

Financial support: While we again welcome the Prime Ministers statement and plan for recovery, it is vital that the Chancellor gives full consideration in his forthcoming budget for further tailored support to the events sector, until such time as it is permitted to fully open and return to its pre pandemic operating levels.

The events sector urgently needs additional clarity on reopening and critical targeted financial support from the Government to ensure that events of all kinds can resume safely, that this vital £80 billion world class industry is protected and that events can continue to support the economic recovery that our country so desperately needs, and we look forward to working in partnership with the government, and the wider events sector, in achieving our shared objectives.

5 February 2021: The English Core Cities have joined forces to come together in a UK industry first, to support the conference and events industry as it continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, with the launch of Hybrid Events Solution UK (HESUK); a free-of-charge initiative open to all business audiences across the country, that will provide a solution for delivering national hybrid events in Covid-secure venues.

The conference industry has been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with questions still hanging over us as to when the industry will start to meet face-to-face or in a live environment. In a solution to rebuild confidence within the industry and in light of the national lockdown, the Core Cities and their convention bureau teams are working together in a collaborative effort to help facilitate national business events to take place again, whilst taking Government guidelines into account.

Including the convention bureaus for Birmingham and West Midlands, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, NewcastleGateshead, Nottingham and Sheffield, the Core Cities have created HESUK as an initiative to provide a single point of contact for event organisers who are looking to organise or restructure national and regional conferences.

HESUK will allow delegates to attend the same national event at different Covid-secure venues within those regional hubs, enabling delegates to network and meet those within their field, whilst remaining in adherence to Government guidelines at the time of the event. Through live-streaming technology, each hub can be linked together, so speakers and contributors can be in different cities whilst still attending the same event and any delegates who can’t attend in-person will still be able to experience the event in a virtual way.

In ICCA’s Market Intelligence on Covid-19 Affected Meetings Report (Nov 2020) evidence suggests that in a post-pandemic world, the meetings and events industry will look very different to the one that we have all been so accustomed to, where both offline and online meetings will thrive together as the industry discovers new ways to connect.

The report also highlights the important role that hybrid event solutions will play in the future, with 84% of association planners intending to include hybrid and digital elements to their events moving forward. 

Recognising this fundamental shift to the way organisers will be approaching event delivery, and in what is believed to be a UK industry first, the eight convention bureaus teams will be working together operationally. HESUK brings a fresh, out-of-the-box concept created to help the industry overcome the hurdles that lie ahead. Through one contact, the organiser will be able to work with Covid-secure venues across the network of Core Cities, as well as destinations outside of the Core Cities group.

On the initiative, Heather Lishman, Association Director of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) said: “The Hybrid Events Solution UK is a glowing example of how the conference and events industry is innovating and working together to support each other through this damaging period. It’s wonderful to see this level of collaboration from the English Core Cities.  

“Live conferences and events have ceased as we continue the fight against COVID-19. Going into 2021 there is a strong desire to get live events back, to have people meeting face to face, networking, sharing and learning together. Creating a hybrid event is a solution to enable this, as the world navigates its way through the pandemic with rapid testing and vaccines on the horizon. The biggest challenge is confidence; organising a series of live event hubs across several destinations is a big logistical challenge, therefore we welcome this solution which seeks to make the process easier for organisers, which should get people meeting as soon as it is safe to do so.” 

Simon Hughes, Chairman of Business Visits Events Partnership (BVEP) said: “The Hybrid Events Solution UK is a fantastic concept, and it is inspiring to see these cities working together to help instil consumer confidence and get the conference and events industry up and running again.”

Any organiser interested in using the service simply has to contact any one of the Core City convention bureau teams: Birmingham and West Midlands, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, NewcastleGateshead, Nottingham and Sheffield.

18 February 2021 (Brussels)

 
Pearle*, the European employers association and sector federation in the live performance, held a one-day seminar on Tuesday 16 February exploring the new trade relations between the EU and UK. In the focus of interest were consequences for artists, technical staff and cultural organisations when touring or inviting performances to their home country.   

With the input of inhouse and external experts, the following topics were discussed: social security and posting, mobility of persons to the EU and to the UK, artist taxation and VAT, data protection and copyright, road haulage, temporary import and export in the area of customs, and travelling with musical instruments, including CITES.

The seminar learned that, whilst in areas such as social security and artist taxation, rules will more or less continue to be applied as in pre-Brexit times, the main administrative burdens and cumbersome procedures will occur in the areas of mobility of persons. Road haulage rules are expected to have an impact on the duration of tours and the number of countries a touring company will be able to visit in the EU.

Following the event, Pearle* now launches a FAQ for the wider public which provides basic answers in one-minute readings to 10 most relevant topics when crossing the EU-UK border.

In the coming period, Pearle* will continue to facilitate exchange between its members on topics related to mobility between the EU and the UK and discuss relevant legislation with EU institutions and policy makers, which are of importance to be able to continue the excellent cultural relations between UK and EU live performance organisations.
 
Read the Pearle* FAQ on the most relevant topics for the live performance sector after Brexit.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy, a cross-party group of more than 40 MPs, has today published the findings of its recent inquiry into the impact of Covid which warns that the sector is at risk of ‘extinction’ unless the  Government takes urgent action. The MPs urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to bring forward a sector-specific grant package and a detailed roadmap for reopening the sector to avoid ‘irreversible losses’ that would create ‘ghost towns’ across country and hinder the wider economic recovery.

The report, entitled ‘Covid-19 and UK Nightlife’, looked at the impact of the pandemic and Government support for businesses in the night time economy, including night clubs, bars, pubs, live music venues, festivals, and supply chain businesses. It involved a survey which received over 20,000 responses from consumers, employers, employees, and freelancers in the sector.

Key findings of the survey included:
*85 per cent of people working in the night time economy are considering leaving the industry
*78 per cent of all employees in the sector had at some point been on furlough
*Businesses in the night time economy had on average made 37 per cent of their total workforce redundant4
*In the second half of 2020, businesses in the night time economy traded at an average of 28 per cent of their annualised pre-Covid turnover5
*Only 36% self-employed nightlife workers have been able to claim the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). 
 
In addition, the report includes numerous detailed personal testimonies of those in the sector describing how the pandemic has affected them.

Outside of periods of forced closure, night time economy businesses have seen numerous and changing restrictions on their ability to trade, including curfews, social distancing measures like the ‘rule of six’, the loss of vertical drinking, and requirements for a ‘substantial meal’ with alcohol. Businesses have faced significant costs and investments in adapting to new conditions, and many, including a majority of nightclubs, have been unable to trade at all.

The inquiry examined written submissions from hundreds of businesses and local authorities, including the Greater London Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, key trade bodies UK Hospitality and UK Music as well as the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).

The joint DCMS-BEIS submission recognised the importance of nightlife to the economy as a whole, noting that after the 2008 financial crisis the sector “helped drive the UK’s recovery more generally.” Despite this, the inquiry found that economic support for the night time economy had been “insufficient”, containing significant gaps.

​​​​​​​Jeff Smith MP, Chair of the APPG and a former self-employed DJ, warned that the prospect of many night time economy businesses going bust would leave town and city centres across the country looking like ‘ghost towns’, noting the important role these spaces play in local economies and communities.
 He commented:
“Our world-leading night clubs, pubs, bars, and live music venues are cornerstones of our communities. They drive so much economic activity both locally and nationally, and bring hope, joy and entertainment to millions across the UK. Our findings today reveal this industry is on its knees, in desperate need of additional support from the Government and a concrete plan for reopening. Without these interventions, many of these viable businesses will go under, leaving city and town centres resembling ghost towns. If the Government is serious about its ‘levelling up’ agenda it must act now to save this sector and avoid untold damage to the social fabric of this country.”

Some of the key recommendations for Government included in the report were:
*Extending the furlough scheme until businesses can operate without restrictions, and extending VAT and business rates relief through 2021
*Producing a roadmap for reopening late night venues based on the vaccination programme and mass testing
*Expanding eligibility for Government Grant Schemes and proving a sector-specific support package
*Providing a Government-backed insurance schemes and solutions to spiralling commercial rent arrears
*Introducing a Treasury-backed scheme to boost demand once restrictions are eased
*Appointing a UK Government Night Time Economy advisor
 
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, commented:
“We are pleased to support the APPG for the Night Time Economy when it became clear our industry’s needs weren’t being heard by policy makers. But it gives me no pleasure today to announce the findings of this report, which confirm the devastating impact that the pandemic has had on UK nightlife.
“Every day I speak with the dedicated people that make up this industry – from artists to engineers, bar staff to security, and production to promoters – they have shown great resilience in the face of adversity.
“But resilience only gets you so far without the required support. We need more assistance and a detailed plan for reopening now. Otherwise, much of what defines a night out in the UK will be lost forever.”

Link to the report: 

https://www.ntia.co.uk/appg/ 

Registration is now open for the Green Events & Innovations Conference 2021, and this time it's virtual.

The 13th edition of the essential conference for sustainability in events will take place online on Tuesday 2 March 2021.

The Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is presented by AGF in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC). The event welcomes industry leaders, professionals, visionaries, governments and all individuals and organisations working to bring environmental and social sustainability to the live events, sports and creative sectors.

GEI13 will address the role and responsibility of the events  and creative industries in tackling the challenges of our transport; food systems; equality and inclusivity; health and wellbeing; power systems; design; and materials usage for circularity and more. Join us in March from the comfort of your own chair, to connect, collaborate and advance this important work, with crucial discussions and ample opportunity for networking with the international events sector and sustainability specialists.

Claire O'Neill, AGF Co Founder and GEI Producer said "We're really happy to be launching this edition of GEI, be it online. We've seen the determination and commitment from all parts of the events industry during this difficult year, to keep the eye on the ball and come together for sustainability, despite the financial hardships we all face."

The number 13 is associated with upheaval and destruction, and so it is extremely poignant that the 13th edition of GEI will be held digitally owing to a zoonotic pandemic. What comes from destruction is renewal, strength and change. This is the crossroads where our society stands today. GEI13 will therefore be honouring the theme of transition and transformation, as we reflect on what we have lost, what we still need to let go of, and how we can be both receptive and active to co-create a better future.

Some of the first confirmed speakers include Dale Vince, (Ecotricity, UK), David Ojay (Naam Festival, KE), Tom Schroeder, Paradigm Agency (UK), Gina Perier, Lapee (DK), Gordon Masson, IQ Magazine/ILMC (UK) and Claire O’Neill, AGF (UK).

The event is now on sale via Ticketsellers, with limited launch price tickets available while they last.

Like most in this industry, DRJ Crew DRJ Supplies have diversified during this unprecedented time, therefore they have set up DRJ Supplies - www.drj-supplies.com . 

They are currently stocking PPE and only sell medical grade wares.  Hopefully in future, we can diversify the supplies business yet again and supply consumables but for now, they are focusing on trying to get everyone COVID secure so we can get back to what we love best - events!

Using the code PSA10 will entitle members to a 10% discount on their first order. 

Whilst we appreciate, we don't have many gigs as an industry at the minute, people still need it for their office spaces and their virtual studios to be COVID secure.

Over 100 iconic prints of world-renowned music artists taken by globally celebrated photographers including Rankin, Tony McGee and Jill Furmanovsky are now on sale. 

Available for £95 each, the sale represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of music history, with many of the prints usually unavailable to buy. 100% of proceeds go to Stagehand - the only UK charity specifically dedicated to providing hardship funding for live music crews who have fallen on tough times.

Available from today for a limited four-week period, expect a mix of established photography names, from Gerry Mankovitz and Pooneh Ghana to Adrian Boot and Ki Pharaoh. The eclectic range of artists represented in the photographs include David Bowie, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Marina Diamandis, The Streets, Florence and the Machine, Liam Gallagher, Jonny Greenwood, Beth Ditto, Tina Turner, Brett Anderson, Alice Cooper, Sting, Stormzy, Kate Nash... to name just a few.

Stagehand was launched over two decades ago and is the only UK charity specifically dedicated to providing hardship funding for music stage crew who have fallen on tough times.

Mike Lowe, Chair of Stagehand’s Board of Trustees, comments: “The livelihoods of people working in live music productions has been decimated by the effects of Covid-19.  Every day we hear from people who are struggling and Stagehand is raising funds to help those in most need, with the simple aim of helping to keep roofs over heads and food on tables.”

All photographs are on sale at Prints For Music (www.printsformusic.com) and each A3 (420mm x 292mm) print is priced at £95, plus shipping options worldwide. All proceeds of the sale will go to the charity. The launch of Prints For Music for Stagehand was organised by leading photographer Ed Robinson who is also selling some of his prints to raise funds. 

Ed comments: “Like so many others, the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected me deeply on a personal level as well as professionally. I have reached out to the people I know in the music and photographic industries with the simple idea to try to help those who are not getting the support they need to survive this crisis. For many photographers who have been privileged enough to have been given access to photograph these artists, it has only been made possible by the efforts of their production teams. None of these photographs would have been possible without the artists and those who support them. This initiative is our way of giving back in their time of need. It will help preserve their livelihoods and enable the shows to go on in the future.”  

The sale is open on www.printsformusic.com until 21st December 2020.

Guidance has just been released on accessing the £1.1bn of funding to Local Authorities to support businesses during lockdown and ay subsequent local restrictions. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-restrictions-support-grants-lrsg-and-additional-restrictions-grant-arg-guidance-for-local-authorities

The guidance specifically refers to the events sector and suppliers in areas in Tier 3 measures, so well worth a look in advance of any changes in December.

Statistics released today show that Great Britain is still one of the safest places in the world to work with the lowest number of deaths on record.

However, more than half of Britain’s working days lost in 2019/20 were due to mental ill-health.

The annual report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) includes statistics for work-related ill health, workplace injuries, working days lost, enforcement action taken, and the associated costs to Great Britain.

The emergence of COVID-19 as a national health issue at the end of final quarter of 2019/20 does not appear to be the main driver of changes seen in the 2019/20 data, although it is possible that COVID-19 may be a contributory factor.

HSE has been at the heart of work across government for getting Great Britain’s workplaces Covid Secure. As part of HSE’s response to COVID-19, it has continued to support the wider health response through working closely with National Public Health Bodies, Local Authorities and local health teams.

Figures show that around 693,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries in 2019/2020 and 1.6 million workers suffering from work-related ill-health.

The statistics, compiled from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and other sources, illustrate that in Great Britain in the 2019/2020 period there were;

• 111 fatal injuries at work
• 1.6 million working people suffering from a work-related illness
• 38.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
• 325 cases were prosecuted and resulted in a conviction. Fines from convictions totalled £35.8 million

In 2019/2020, the estimated economic cost to Great Britain totalled £16.2 billion with 38.8 million working days lost.

In response to the report, Sarah Newton, HSE Chair said:

“The Covid pandemic has focussed attention on the health and safety issues people face in the workplace. HSE remains committed to taking action where workers are not protected, to ensure the guidance and assistance we provide for employers in managing risks is the best available, based on the latest evidence and science.

“Although Great Britain continues to be up there with the safest places in the world to work, these figures highlight the scale of the challenge HSE currently faces in making Britain an even healthier and safer place to work, this includes our role in the response to the pandemic to ensure workplaces are Covid Secure.

“We must continue to drive home the importance of managing risk and promoting behaviours to ensure employers work right so that workers are able to go home healthy and safe at the end of each day.”

The full annual injury and ill-health statistics report can be found on HSE’s website.