As of the 13^th of July, conference centres are still not allowed to open, there is no date or guidance as to when they can open. To us this seems mad, cinemas can re-open, theatres have a pathway etc, even tattoo artists can open. How can it make sense that conferences maybe limited by number and with all the facilities to enable effective coronavirus control cannot yet open?  Please help us remind government just how valuable our £70bn industry is.

There are a number of actions you can take to push the government to re-open the industry.

1. Write to your local MP

The industry association the MIA (Meetings Industry Association) has put out a template letter see here

2. Write to local Press & Broadcasters

Martin Fullard, Editorial Director at Mash Media, suggests making more noise by appealing to the national media. Follow local journalists on Twitter and start involving them in a public discussion about your story. Often, they will get in touch with you and want to pick up on the story. To contact regional press, Martin advises using a prefix such as ‘news desk’ in front of email addresses and searching them on Google, such as ‘newsdesk@bbc.co.uk’. Experiment with different wording until you get hold of an email address. Contact your local paper, get in touch with as many local journalists and broadcasters as you can, tell them your story and make them listen. Once you do this you can move up to targeting national press.

3. Sign the Petition

Mash Media have created a petition urging the government to allow organised meetings and events.

4. Join the #GetBritainMeeting campaign

The Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) is putting pressure on the DCMS to distinguish between ‘organised events’ and ‘mass gatherings’ as lockdown restrictions ease. To promote this idea, Mash Media launched the #GetBritainMeeting campaign.

To help amplify the message, simply use the #GetBritainMeeting hashtag in your social media posts

you have an initiative you would like included. If we all work together, we really can make a difference for the whole community and come out the other side stronger!

If you need any advice on offering hybrid or virtual events to your clients or for that matter anything else conference related, please get in touch. We at the venue booker are one of the leading conference agents in the UK, we are talking to conference and meeting venues all day every day.

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