Call is sounded on behalf of our events industry
CANCELLED FUNCTIONS HAVE COST REGION £6M – CAMPAIGN
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to highlight the crisis in the events industry, which provides more than 4,000 jobs in Newcastle and brings millions to the regional economy.
The #wecreateexperiences campaign says that £149m is generated by the events industry in the region, but £6m has been lost through the cancellation of events which would have brought more than 6,000 delegates to the region.
It’s hoped that business conferences and other events will be allowed to resume in
2021, and the campaign is highlighting research which found that 96% of business leaders said that events added value to their firms.
The campaigners also found that among people working in the events sector, 83% had struggled with stress or anxiety and 57% had experienced feelings of loss or failure.
And among event organisers or companies working within the sector, 71% of companies had seen a major drop in turnover and almost a quarter had been forced into major job cuts.
Simon Hughes, co-founder of the #wecreateexperiences campaign, said: “The events industry is ready to get back to work and to play its part in rebooting the economy. We are known internationally for our worldleading safety standards so we can be trusted to stage safe events that will help businesses grow and showcase their work, help charities to generate much-needed revenue and allow all of us to experience the pleasure of the real, rather than the virtual world. “Our industry provides employment across the UK, creating opportunities for young people, generates £165bn in trade and touches millions of lives through business events and exhibitions, festivals, weddings and community and charity events. Business world, we know you have missed us and we are ready to welcome you back in 2021.”
The Chronicle’s Save Our Scene campaign is highlighting the cost to the North East’s hospitality and cultural sector caused by the various local and national lockdowns.
The events industry is ready to get back to work and play its part in rebooting the economy Simon Hughes, #wecreateexperiences