News
Reporting on developments that affect UK business events: venue moves and bookings, destination bids, appointments and the announcements behind them. Each story names its source and says what has and has not been checked.
Clarion Events signs new deals to keep four of its shows at Olympia London until 2028
Clarion Events has signed multi-year agreements keeping The Baby Show, the Spirit of Christmas Fair with The Luxury Travel Fair, Destinations and Top Drawer at Olympia London through to 2028. Olympia says the four shows draw more than 150,000 attendees a year.
ICC Wales wins two medical association conferences new to Wales and adds two sales managers
ICC Wales in Newport has won the AUGIS meeting in September 2027 (800 delegates) and the RCPCH Annual Conference in May 2029 (2,000 delegates), both new to Wales, and has appointed two sales managers for corporate and agency clients.
The Belfry says its meetings and events business has grown in the first year after its £85m redevelopment
The Belfry Hotel & Resort near Birmingham says its new 852 m² Masters Suite is 70% occupied so far this year and revenue per square metre is up 8%, one year after an £85m-plus redevelopment added 149 bedrooms and 43% more event space.
Glasgow 2026 added £223 million to the Scottish economy using venues and hotels the city already had
The independent evaluation of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games puts its economic impact at £223 million across Scotland, £176 million of it in the Glasgow City Region, from a £159.6 million Games built around existing venues such as the SEC.
Finelight Group has bought a majority stake in Business Show Media, organiser of The Business Show
Norwich-based Finelight Group has bought a majority stake in Business Show Media, which runs The Business Show, The International Franchise Show and the White & Private Label Expo. Christian Yandell stays as chief executive.
Events industry bodies warn the Autumn Budget will add to staff costs and question the overnight visitor levy
The MIA, beam, the AIEA and others have responded to the Autumn Budget, with the 3.9% wage rise, the planned overnight visitor levy and the lack of VAT reform as their main concerns.
The UK Government will put £6 million into the first phase of Destination SEC in Glasgow
The Autumn Budget confirmed £6 million for phase one of Destination SEC, which turns the car park in front of the OVO Hydro into a new outdoor events plaza.
Naboo has bought pro-ven, the UK meetings and events procurement specialist
Naboo has acquired pro-ven, the UK meetings and events spend specialist founded in 2005. pro-ven becomes Naboo's UK headquarters, with founder Julian Laxon staying on.
Nineteen Group has bought FIT Show, the windows and doors trade event, from Montgomery Group
Nineteen Group has acquired FIT Show from Montgomery Group. The windows, doors and glazing trade show keeps its brand, team and May 2027 dates at the NEC.