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Evenita Initiates Major Industry Research

Leading trade body Eventia today initiates the 2011 ‘UK Events Market Trends Survey’ (UKEMTS) research. This major research project, undertaken annually since 1993, provides volume, value and key trends data for the UK conference and business events market from a supply-side or venue perspective.

The results provide the definitive estimate of the market’s value in terms of direct revenue to event venues, and are widely used to inform investment, advocacy and marketing activities. The 2010 research estimated that the sector was worth some £18.8 billion, including the additional revenues generated through delegate and organiser expenditures on travel, entertainment, shopping, and eating in local restaurants.

The survey asks venues to provide data on their conference and events business during the calendar year 2010, and includes questions on the number of events held, rates achieved, event duration and size, client type, lead times, investment plans, together with projections for business in 2011. New for 2011 are questions on:

• Percentage of the venue’s turnover accounted for by meetings/conferences
• Marketing activities undertaken
• Venue selection criteria used by their customers
• Influence of client procurement departments.

The survey questionnaire is available online and as a ‘Word’ document and will remain open until 29 April. The report will be available in June 2011.

This important research is being supported by several leading industry organisations including: VisitEngland, drpgroup, ‘Conference News’, Accor Hotels, Conference Centres of Excellence and Event Assured. Simon Gidman, business visits and events manager for VisitEngland, comments: “VisitEngland will shortly launch its new Business Tourism Strategy and we recognise the vital importance of good quality research to inform strategic planning and to identify new and emerging market trends. UKEMTS forms a key part of the current market intelligence and we are delighted to be involved again.”

Dale Parmenter, managing director, drpgroup, says: “In a dynamic industry like events, the need for, and importance of, quality research cannot be overemphasized. It is vital that businesses keep abreast of new developments, issues and opportunities, and feedback from event venues is an integral part of such market monitoring. We are pleased to be a Principal Sponsor for this year’s ‘UK Events Market Trends Survey’ research.”

Mark Saxby, Eventia Chairman, stresses Eventia’s commitment to supporting quality industry research. He says: “We are developing a portfolio of research programmes to complement our series of White Papers and our focused contributions to events sector professionalisation in areas such as corporate responsibility, sustainability, legislation and lobbying, and education.”

To access the UKEMTS 2011 questionnaire, visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UKEMTS2011