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The VisitBritain Business Events Growth Programme has contributed over \u00a360 million to the UK economy since 2018, with increasing returns, expanded regional reach, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and sectoral innovation, positioning the UK as a global leader in hosting major international conferences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
VisitBritain\u2019s Business Events Growth Programme has demonstrated a remarkable contribution to the UK economy and the business events sector, delivering substantial returns and playing a pivotal role in the nation\u2019s post-pandemic recovery. Between April 2018 and March 2024, the programme generated a notable \u00a360.6 million in direct economic return, supporting 91 business events across 18 cities in England, Scotland, and Wales. This equates to a \u00a335 return for every \u00a31 invested, underscoring the efficacy of targeted investments in business tourism and regional development.<\/p>\n
The programme\u2019s impact has grown significantly over time. From April 2018 to March 2022, it generated \u00a320.8 million, but this figure almost doubled to \u00a339.8 million between April 2022 and March 2024. The 2023-2024 financial year marked the second most successful year with \u00a317.6 million in economic returns. This uplift reflects not only a rebound in international business events following COVID-19 disruptions but also strategic efforts to diversify event locations and sectors supported. Major contributions came from key cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, while newer beneficiaries like Sheffield, Bristol, Harrogate, Brighton, and Cambridge have been brought into the fold to broaden the programme\u2019s regional reach.<\/p>\n
VisitBritain\u2019s CEO Patricia Yates highlighted the growing importance of business events across the UK as drivers of economic growth, innovation, and global collaboration. She emphasised how this initiative showcases the UK’s ability to host world-class events that accentuate strengths in priority growth sectors. These sectors align with the UK government\u2019s Modern Industrial Strategy, covering areas such as healthcare and life sciences, digital and technology innovation, energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and the creative industries. Since 2022, 81% of the events supported have corresponded to these strategic sectors, highlighting the dual purpose of the programme to yield immediate economic benefits and support long-term sectoral development and skills growth.<\/p>\n
Sustainability and legacy have become central criteria for the programme. Since 2022, all applicants are required to incorporate clear sustainability policies, with many organisers embedding sustainable practices in their events, ranging from material usage to carbon tracking and promoting public transport. Beyond environmental considerations, the programme fosters intellectual and social legacies by encouraging collaborations between event participants, policymakers, and local educational institutions, thus enhancing regional knowledge exchange and skill development.<\/p>\n
The programme\u2019s influence extends well beyond financial returns. For instance, the support provided to the International Congress in Nursing Informatics 2024 in Manchester was credited with expanding the conference\u2019s international reach and fostering global collaboration within the nursing informatics community. Similarly, Aberdeen\u2019s successful bid for the International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA) 2027, supported by the programme, will bring significant economic benefits to Northeast Scotland and strengthen the UK\u2019s position in freshwater science research while attracting international students and raising awareness of career opportunities in the region.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, VisitBritain continues to build momentum, currently supporting 64 confirmed or potential business events across 15 cities for the 2024-2026 period. This ongoing investment cements the programme\u2019s role as a key driver of economic growth, international engagement, and innovation within priority sectors.<\/p>\n
These findings reinforce VisitBritain\u2019s wider contribution to the UK economy through visitor spending and tourism promotion. For example, in the 2024\/2025 year, VisitBritain\u2019s activities contributed an estimated \u00a3562 million to the economy, with a significant proportion benefiting destinations outside London. The organisation’s ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign alone generated an additional \u00a3217 million in visitor spend within just six months, further illustrating the substantial multiplier effect of targeted promotional and support programmes.<\/p>\n
Overall, the Business Events Growth Programme exemplifies how strategic investment by government and industry partners can stimulate regional economies, promote sustainable event management, and position the UK as a global leader in international business events. Its demonstrated success over six years serves as a powerful model for harnessing the economic, social, and innovative potential of the business events sector.<\/p>\n