Ahead of National Meetings Week starting on Monday, we just wanted to give you a quick update on media and other activity already taking place, and let you know what’s happening next week.
Media update
Joss has been very busy undertaking BBC radio interviews this morning for numerous stations up and down the country, from BBC Radio Tees to BBC Radio Cornwall, talking about the first of the press releases from the survey we undertook to coincide with National Meetings Week.
The story looks at the amount of money that businesses are wasting by holding unnecessary and wasteful meetings, which as a nation totals £27.5bn. It’s a great media figure, and Joss has been talking about the benefits of meetings to the UK economy, as well as providing tips on how to hold productive meetings, so a really good chance to get across some of the important key messages of the campaign, and highlighting the meetings and events market outside our industry.
We are also expecting some broadcast coverage over the weekend, which includes the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, an interview with Joss in the LBC studios on Sunday between 6 and 7pm (if you want to tune in and listen!) and BBC Breakfast is planning to cover the story on Monday morning.
In terms of print media, we are beginning to get various regional papers covering the story, as it was picked up by the newswires yesterday, which also is great for taking our message out to the regions, again, a key part of the National Meetings Week campaign. We also had a good piece in the Independent last Sunday talking about National Meetings Week taking place in conjunction with Event UK.
We’ve got a great story coming out on Monday, looking at the lighter side of meetings, so keep a look out for it, it’s looking at what people think about during meetings, I’m sure you will be able to use your imagination and work out what came out as one of the top options!
Further angles will also be issued to all media throughout next week as well, so we’ll contact you with any relevant opportunities to use you for spokesperson opportunities, thanks to all those that have put themselves forward so far.
Events
A couple of events have already taken place around the UK, one in Manchester at the Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa, and one on Monday, hosted by Novotel London West. Both events were a huge success, particularly the panel debate, which included James Rees from ExCeL London, Michael Sloan, GM of Novotel London West, and Paul Cook from MPI. A huge thanks to Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, MPI and Event UK for their support for these events.
Another regional event is taking place today, at the MacDonald Bath Spa, attended by Don Foster, MP for Bath and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. Joss Croft will be talking about the benefits of the meetings and events industry to the regions, and a chance to network with people in the local area.
Eventia is also holding several events throughout next week, including ‘BS8901 – what, how and why? taking place on Monday at Church House Conference Centre, and a Visit London networking night on Thursday at The Movieum of London, County Hall.
Just a reminder that the official launch of National Meetings Week will be taking place this year at Event UK, on Tuesday 16 September at 1.30pm in Seminar Room 1, so please do come along for this. It’s a great chance for all the partners and supporters to get together, and we will be giving a further update on the campaign, so please look out for this.
Again, thanks for all your support throughout the campaign, it’s been hugely appreciated, and keep letting us know about all the events you have planned for next week, and we will do all we can to support you and help promote any activities you are undertaking.
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