Katarina Railko brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of the travel and hospitality sectors, where she has spent years navigating the complexities of large-scale conferences and international expos. Her unique perspective highlights the intersection of tourism and strategic trade, making her a vital voice in understanding how the business events industry fuels national growth. In this discussion, we explore the seismic shift in how these events are valued—not just as gatherings, but as an industry generating over £33 billion annually—and the urgent call for a national strategy that secures the UK’s competitive edge on the global stage. We dive into the necessity of moving oversight to trade-focused departments and the critical importance of maintaining funding to remain a top-tier destination for innovation and investment.
With business events contributing a staggering £33.6 billion to the economy, how does this formal recognition change the way the industry views its own role in national growth?
For years, many of us working in the trenches of hospitality felt that the true power of business events was hidden behind the scenes of the broader visitor economy. Seeing that £33.6 billion figure officially acknowledged by the House of Commons is a massive validation that breathes new life into the sector. It shifts the narrative from simply filling hotel rooms to being the engine that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across every region. When you walk onto a bustling exhibition floor, you aren’t just seeing booths; you are witnessing a concentrated hub of trade and innovation that keeps the country competitive. This recognition gives us the leverage to demand a seat at the table where serious economic decisions are made.
Why is the recommendation to move the sector’s oversight to the Department for Business and Trade such a pivotal move for the future of British expos and conferences?
Moving the responsibility for our sector to the Department for Business and Trade is a logical step that aligns our industry with its actual output: commerce and international competitiveness. While we certainly overlap with tourism, our primary function is to act as a strategic economic driver that facilitates knowledge exchange and export opportunities. This shift would ensure that the government views a major conference not as a leisure activity, but as a high-stakes trade platform. It allows for a more sophisticated level of cross-government coordination that can help unlock societal benefits that go far beyond the duration of a three-day event. By treating us as a trade-focused sector, the government can finally tap into the full potential of our professional networks and global reach.
How do you perceive the risks associated with cutting specialist resources, such as the Business Events Growth Fund, while international competitors are doing the opposite?
It is deeply concerning to see a reduction in support within VisitBritain at a time when the global market for high-value events is becoming incredibly aggressive. When we lose access to resources like the Business Events Growth Fund, we are essentially fighting with one hand tied behind our back while other destinations are pouring money into attracting the same conventions. The vibrant energy of a world-class expo requires significant upfront investment to secure, and losing that funding risks undermining our ability to compete on the world stage. We run the risk of becoming a secondary choice for organizers who are looking for the strongest possible partnership and financial stability. If we don’t protect these specialist resources, we may find ourselves watching from the sidelines as innovation and investment migrate to more supportive host nations.
What impact would a dedicated National Business Events Council have on the long-term stability and development of the industry?
A sector-led National Business Events Council would provide the formal framework we have been advocating for over many years, ensuring our voice is heard consistently at the highest levels of government. It would serve as a bridge between industry leaders and policymakers, allowing us to align our efforts with a broader national industrial strategy. This kind of structural support creates a sense of permanence and reliability, which is essential for planning large-scale events that are often years in the making. Having a dedicated council means we can proactively address challenges rather than just reacting to them, fostering an environment where innovation can truly thrive. It would ultimately transform the industry from a collection of individual events into a unified, strategic powerhouse.
What is your forecast for the business events sector?
I believe we are on the precipice of a transformative era where business events will finally be treated as the high-value trade assets they are. As the government begins to implement these recommendations, I expect to see a more integrated approach where conferences are used as catalysts for regional growth and specific industrial goals. We will likely see a surge in specialized, knowledge-heavy events that prioritize sustainability and digital integration, further cementing the UK’s reputation as a hub for global talent. While the current funding concerns are a hurdle, the momentum behind this new national strategy suggests a future where the industry’s £33.6 billion contribution is just the baseline. I anticipate a more resilient and strategically aligned sector that remains a cornerstone of the national economy for decades to come.
