ESSA's Continuing Position

• Recognition of the part events and exhibitions will play in reigniting the UK economy post the outbreak as they stimulate economic impact across hotels, airlines, restaurants and other business tourism activities all over the UK.

• Inclusion in the Government’s plans to stimulate key vertical markets.  Events and exhibitions provide cost effective and direct trading platforms which fuel those industries and their supply chains. Post the crisis there will be pent up demand, markets will need and want to trade.  Events and exhibitions are a perfect and instant platform to enable business to be conducted.

• Equal and comparable focus and support for UK exhibitions and events, as identified with the Government’s International Business Events Action Plan.

• Seek explicit reference as being part of ‘Leisure, Hospitality and Tourism’ – to avoid ambiguity on inclusion in all current and future packages and measures.

• Create an industry support package in line with other countries (including Australia, Denmark and Hong Kong) to protect the sector, ready to run events and stimulate markets.

• Seek clarity on the ‘lock down’ scenarios going forward from Government.  Confidence and assurance are essential in building, promoting and delivering future events.

• A steer on when we can expect events being allowed to run again; to allow time to build business confidence in various markets for buyers and sellers, and to allow the supply chain to resource and plan effectively.