February's 5 stories to take note of

Had a busy start to 2023 and don’t have time to keep up with what’s new in the MICE world? Don’t worry, The Meetings Show has you covered. Here are five of the big stories you need to know this month…

 

1) The Power of Events to launch this month

The Power of Events – the platform designed to showcase, value and respect the UK events industry – will officially launch this month.

The not-for-profit organisation, which evolved from One Industry One Voice, was set up to deliver a comprehensive online communications hub alongside an industry research app and evaluation platform. The launch event will be held on 16 February at Outernet, a new live events space in London. 

Rick Stainton, founder, The Power of Events, said: “This is just the start of a long journey of evolution to best showcase, respect and value the UK events industry, working with and for the UK events professionals – everyone is invited to contribute – it has got to be designed by the industry for the industry. We are grateful for the collaboration and spirit of unity demonstrated over the last twelve months by countless event professionals.”

 

2) Cvent and MeetingPackage announce global integration

Cvent has partnered with MeetingPackage to enable planners to instantly book small meetings with more than 6,000 hotels and venues worldwide that use MeetingPackage.

The event technology company said the integration, which is expected to launch later this year, delivers benefits for both planners and hotels and venues.

It will allow the 90,000+ planners around the world that use Cvent to source their group hotels and venues and manage their events, to easily book participating MeetingPackage hotels and venues globally, directly on the Cvent platform.

MeetingPackage software is in use by venues in over 100 countries and it’s powering the booking journey for many well-known hotel chains such as Radisson Hotel Group, Nordic Choice Hotels, Clermont Hotel Group and Leonardo Hotels.

 

3) ACC Liverpool announces bumper year ahead

The ACC Liverpool Group is set for another packed calendar of events at its waterfront venues this year, as the organisation celebrates 15 years of trading. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend conferences, live shows and exhibitions at the M&S Bank Arena, ACC Liverpool and Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

Events taking place in the city include UK Imaging and Oncology Congress, British Society of Gastroenterology, the Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress, Labour Party Conference, Comic Con Liverpool, and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Faye Dyer, managing director of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “2023 will truly be a phenomenal year for us and Eurovision will really showcase our city and campus. It’s thanks to our successful track record of hosting great events over the past 15 years that has led us to being the host venue.”

 

4) Events Apprenticeship Framework launches to tackle industry’s talent shortage

The UKEVENTS (formerly BVEP) Skills Talent & Diversity Working Group has launched its Events Apprenticeship Framework. The framework will launch with five apprenticeship schemes, which include: Events Assistant, Live Event Technician, Creative Venue Technician, Live Event Rigger, and AV Event Technician.

While the training aspect of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, the EAAB has launched a crowdfunding initiative and is calling for the industry’s support via donations to promote the new scheme.

The EAAB says it is “imperative for the sector to have a robust and inclusive apprenticeship framework and to ensure longevity” and encourages any business able to contribute to do so. Those wishing to offer financial support can donate here.

 

5) Etc.venues research reveals latest meeting trends for 2023

The fifth annual etc.venues survey reveals that more than half (54%) of planners saw an upturn in business following the return to in-person events.

Almost 99% of planners value in-person meetings more than or the same as before the pandemic, up from 82% a year ago and a 22% increase from the start of the pandemic.

The results also indicate that the impact of a dispersed workforce has changed the way in which meetings agendas are constructed, with 65% of event planners arranging more one-day meetings than previously. Of these, 38% said it is to make better use of people’s time, 32% are doing so to reduce costs and 30% say it’s to help the work-life balance of delegates.

There were 423 respondents, and the research was carried out in December 2022.