The UK Economic Impact Study aims to calculate the economic value of the meetings and events sector in detail, using four surveys aimed at different roles in the sector.
The Meetings Professionals International (MPI) Foundation commissioned Leeds Metropolitan University to conduct the study, following similar research in the US, Canada, Denmark and Mexico.
The study will use the databases of funding partners including Confex, Reed Travel Exhibitions, the Barbican, London & Partners, Visit Wales and Visit Scotland to invite as many event professionals as possible to take part.
Samme Allen, president of the MPI UK and Ireland Chapter, said: "The results of this research will give us the information we need to lobby the government, make waves in boardrooms across the country and firmly place the meetings and events industry at the centre of the UK’s commercial landscape.
"This is without doubt the most important research ever to be undertaken within the sector and I implore everyone involved in the industry to respond. Quite simply: the more data we collect, the more credible the results – and the more credible the results, the more they will do for our industry."
The UK Economic Impact Study also aims to calculate the number of people working in the meetings and events industry, which includes conferences, trade shows, business and consumer exhibitions, corporate events and incentive events.
The results will be released next year.
What do you expect the research will uncover? Comment below and let us know what you think.
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