ESSA: Global Challenges and Association Advocacy in Events

Behind every successful event lies an industry that often goes unseen, yet advocacy brings our impact into focus. Andrew Harrison, CEO of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) and Director of the Event Industry Alliance (EIA), explores the importance of association advocacy for the event and exhibitions industry.

Advocacy has always been at the heart of what associations do. In its simplest form, it means standing up for a cause, interest or community, helping to influence public opinion, political decision-making and ultimately policy. For ESSA and for our work alongside the EIA, it is central to how we protect, promote and progress the business events and exhibitions industry in the UK and on the global stage.

The Need for Recognition

So how exactly do we do that? It starts with our work alongside public affairs specialists as we shape strategy, build relationships and ultimately speak the language of government to help our industry receive the recognition it deserves.

Historically, our industry has flourished without the need for government intervention, and until the pandemic, we were rarely on the radar of policymakers. COVID-19 changed all of that, starkly exposing how absent we were from government thinking. The two-year shutdown left us fighting to explain who we are and why we matter.

Even today, moving the needle remains one of our toughest challenges. Ministers and civil servants recognise the evidence we present, but progress can sometimes be slowed by shifting political priorities and ongoing ministerial changes in the UK. While this can delay momentum, our commitment remains firm, and we will continue to champion the cause and push for lasting change.
 

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The Importance of Clarity

When you have been advocating government for our industry as long as I have, you learn a thing or two about how to better get your voice heard. One of those lessons is the importance of clarity.

As an industry, we are now much better at defining our ‘asks’ and backing them up with evidence. Our economic impact studies and annual reports give us credibility, allowing us to demonstrate not just who we are but also what we contribute to jobs, growth and communities across the UK.

At the top of our agenda is the creation of a government national strategy for business events. Other industries benefit from government-led strategies that align sectoral growth with national priorities. We believe our sector deserves the same. With it, the UK could strengthen its position as a global centre for business events – the world’s meeting place – while driving skills, jobs and local economic growth.

Engaging parliament is another vital strand of our advocacy. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) is one of the few channels where MPs and peers come together to discuss our industry. These groups can sometimes feel fragile, with current political instability often meaning reshuffles which disrupts progress, but they remain important platforms for making our case and influencing future policy.
 

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Everyone Has a Voice

ESSA and the EIA may provide a voice at a national level, but real advocacy is a collective effort. We regularly ask our members to write to their MPs, share our reports or invite politicians to come and see their businesses first-hand, with us then able to help facilitate and support.

Responses can be slow, sometimes disheartening, but persistence does pay off. Every email, letter and invitation helps reinforce our collective message, and when MPs hear it from multiple constituents, it really does make an impact. We can provide a voice, but it is the help and support from everyone in the industry that will amplify it.

A Global Perspective

Advocacy also extends beyond our borders. The UK is already home to nine of the world’s 20 largest organisers and is recognised internationally for its venues, suppliers and expertise. Nonetheless, post-Brexit, our members face new challenges in working across Europe. Issues around visas, paperwork and the movement of equipment have created unnecessary barriers.

We are working with the government and partner industries to push for mutual recognition agreements that make it easier for skilled professionals to operate abroad. This work is slow and often complex, but it is vital to ensuring our members remain competitive on the world stage. At the same time, we continue to promote the UK as a destination and as a global hub for business events.

Advocacy is not glamorous. It is often frustrating and requires persistence. ESSA and the EIA will continue to lead this work because it is essential for our industry’s future, but lasting change requires a united eff ort. Every member has a role to play in making our voice louder and harder to ignore, and by doing so, together, we can secure the recognition our industry deserves and position the UK at the forefront of global business events.
 

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