There is a need for more MPs to support the All Party Parliamentary Group on Events so that the voice of the industry can be heard in Parliament. This group is currently chaired by James Heappey MP who has drafted the wording below with a request that you consider sending it to your local MP. You can check which MP represents the area where your business is located by using this link: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/.

Draft letter to be sent by event businesses to their local Member of Parliament.

 Dear (Name of Member of Parliament)

I am writing to ask you to join the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events so that the voice of our industry can be heard in Parliament.

(Name of business) is a significant business in the events sector operating in your constituency. It employs (number of employees) and provides (describe services or products) and adds approximately (£ value) to local or national economy.

The events sector is currently worth over £41 billion to the UK economy. It is recognised by the Government as having the ability to shape Britain’s future, by staging world class events which can generate business opportunities and create a global showcase for the UK’s expertise, capabilities and skills. In so doing it will also raise the nation’s profile overseas, develop trade and creative enterprise, enable the exchange of knowledge, whilst also driving visitor traffic and achieving greater cultural awareness and community cohesion.

In recognition of all these positive attributes, the government has established an Events Industry Board to implement a business visits and events strategy. Events are also included at the heart of Tourism’s Industrial Sector bid, positioning it as one of the key activities in boosting productivity by filling spare capacity across the nation and extending the season. It acknowledges that both business and cultural events underpin other key sectors and boost Britain’s image overseas.

The objective of the All Party Parliamentary Group is to engage with the Government and Parliament to support the events industry sector. We would like you to join the group so that our voice can be heard in Parliament and so that you can work with your fellow MPs to help make sure that the events industry continues to enjoy the right support from policy makers in Whitehall.

I hope you will wish to support the interests of our business and others in the sector. The group is currently chaired by James Heappey MP. I’d be grateful if you could let him know that you’d like to join. His email address is james.heappey.mp@parliament.uk

(If you would like to visit our premises to see how our business is contributing to Britain’s enterprise, I would be more than happy to make arrangements to welcome you, show you round and tell you a little of what we do.)

Thank you in anticipation of your future support.

-End-

ESSA is represented on the APPG for the Events Industry via the Events Industry Alliance - The secretariat body it shares with sister assocaitons AEV and AEO.