We’re heading into February feeling positive, the days are getting longer, pancake day is coming up and spring is on the horizon. The Government’s vaccine programme is continuing apace and Matt Hancock has suggested we’re in for a ‘great British summer’.

As the events industry remains virtual for now, we are seeing further investment in technology to create engaging remote environments. Looking ahead to the return of in-person events, Luxembourg is trialling live music experiments and here in the UK the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events is providing recommendations to the Covid Recovery Committee ahead of the Chancellor’s budget in March. 

Read on for all this and more 🙌🏻

Sources suggest ambitious government plans to accelerate vaccination programme

The Government’s official target for vaccinating the whole of the UK adult population against Covid-19 is the end of September. Matt Hancock says “the vast majority” of Britons should have had the jab by the end of July, enabling a “great British summer”.

However, sources suggest that “there are some in Whitehall who say there is now the realistic prospect that every adult might have been offered the first jab by the start of May”.

An acceleration in the vaccination programme could mean restrictions are eased sooner too which provides hope for the return of in-person events.

Luxembourg live music experiment could help ‘prepare for return to live events’

A live music experiment is set to take place in Luxembourg, with five test concerts with strict health measures and restrictions are due to take place at the Rockhal arena in February. Capacity will be limited to 100 people per night, with masks compulsory and strict social distancing enforced. The gigs will be seated, with fans placed around a central 360° stage.

Live events have been cancelled around the world since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold at the beginning of 2020, venues in many countries remain closed and the industry is struggling. Organisers of the event hope that these experiments will provide a model that could help pave the way for the return of live events. 

APPG for Events and BVEP submits recommendations to Covid Recovery Commission

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) and the Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) have submitted a series of recommendations to the Covid Recovery Commission.

The submission highlights areas in which the events industry can play a major part in the rebuilding of the economy and the levelling up agenda. These include that events would provide a platform for the UK to showcase its industrial, scientific and cultural strengths to meet its new global ambitions;  the creation of a strategic body to drive the growth of international events held in the UK; and the inclusion of event strategies in local authority plans to create programmes of festivals and to enhance place-making opportunities.

The recommendations produced by the Commission will be presented to chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, ahead of his budget being presented on 3 March.

Ambitious roadmap proposed for events sector ‘carbon target’

An ‘ambitious’ roadmap to create a carbon reduction target for the business events sector was discussed at an industry roundtable on 29th January 2021. 

Positive Impact Events are hoping to raise £30,000 to drive the project, which would be delivered under the auspices of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The aim would be for the UK events sector to create a template for carbon reduction, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November, that could be copied by event professionals worldwide.

This focus on sustainability from the industry will be vital as the industry returns to in-person events.

Tobacco Dock launches as fully immersive virtual event and conference space

Tobacco Dock has announced the launch of ‘Tobacco Dock Virtual’, a new immersive virtual event and conference space which will open Easter weekend.

Developed in partnership with Sansar, Tobacco Dock Virtual aims to recreate the London venue in minute detail. By removing the barriers between digital and real-world experiences, this fully immersive, virtual event venue aims to provide a dynamic and pandemic-proof platform to host exhibitions, conferences, brand activations, product launches and seminars.

Further investment in technology, particularly from venues shows that virtual is very much here to stay and that hybrid is the future. 

We’ll be back in two weeks time with the latest updates!