UK Economic Impact Study. Impressive numbers and statistics have been published by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) during the Meetings Show UK today. The UK Economic Impact Study (UKEIS) – undertaken by the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH) from Leeds Metropolitan University – has revealed that:
MPI president and chief executive officer, Paul Van Deventer said, “The UKEIS results are extremely positive and clearly demonstrate that the meeting industry delivers significant value to the UK economy. At Meeting Professionals International (MPI), we believe this research provides an invaluable tool for professionals in our industry to use to enhance the perception of the meeting industry in the UK – similar to how comparable studies have been utilized in the U.S. and other countries. The success of this research provides a benchmark and example for other meeting professionals around the world to discover the value of the industry in their own country.”
Industry veteran Paul Kennedy MBE, director and owner of Kennedy Integrated Solutions added, “Many people have been instrumental in bringing about this research – from the pioneering organisations (ICCA, MPI Foundation and Reed Travel Exhibitions) that worked for several years with the UNWTO to create a credible framework for this study, to the current investors, researchers and partners. The results are incredibly positive, showing the meeting industry for what it is – bigger than agriculture, employing more than telecoms, having a greater contribution than legal or accounting. These are all significant industries with loud voices that have the ears of government and business leaders. It is time to take our place amongst them and as an industry determine a coherent and attainable call to action.”
