10 July, 2013
UK meeting industry generates 3x more GDP than agriculture and the equivalent of
1 million full-time jobs according to study commissioned by the MPI Foundation
Research announced today by the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation, and
undertaken by the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH)
from Leeds Metropolitan University has revealed that:
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The UK meeting industry delivers £58.4 billion to the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) –
making a contribution three times greater than agriculture to the country’s economy.
The meeting industry is the UK’s 16th largest employer with more than 515,000 individuals
directly employed – double that of the telecoms industry.
Including indirect employment, the meeting industry generates more than 1 million full-time
equivalent jobs.
Meetings made a direct gross value added (GVA) contribution of £20.6 billion – more than
legal services, accountancy or broadcasting.
The meeting industry contributed £21.1 billion in taxes to the economy.
When combined, the space occupied by the 10,000 venues in the UK is the equivalent of
6,000 football pitches and capable of seating 13.5% of the population at any one time.
The groundbreaking UK Economic Impact Study (UKEIS) was revealed today at The Meetings Show
UK. Directed by Dr. ShiNa Li, the ICRETH research team used the UN World Tourism Organisation
methodology for the study.
This methodology is a globally accepted model that has already been utilised to conduct the same
research in Canada, the United States, Australia, Mexico and Denmark. A direct comparison shows
that as a percentage of GDP, the meeting industry has a more significant economic impact in the UK
than in the US, Canada and Mexico.
ICRETH, project director, Dr ShiNa Li commented, “The research was undertaken to firmly establish
the size and impact of meetings in the UK, with a particular focus on GVA, GDP, employment and
taxes. It is considered by many to be the most important research ever undertaken by the meeting
industry as it will allow the sector to shape policy and lobby at the highest levels moving forward.
The results signify a call to action for the industry and present the opportunity to consider the
question ‘What now?’ We have created this incredibly powerful data that clearly defines the
meeting industry’s credibility, but it needs to be used effectively as a tool for the benefit of all.”
MPI president and chief executive officer, Paul Van Deventer said, “The UKEIS results are extremely
positive and clearly demonstrate that the meeting industry delivers significant value to the UK
economy. At Meeting Professionals International (MPI), we believe this research provides an
invaluable tool for professionals in our industry to use to enhance the perception of the meeting
industry in the UK – similar to how comparable studies have been utilized in the U.S. and other
countries. The success of this research provides a benchmark and example for other meeting
professionals around the world to discover the value of the industry in their own country.”
Industry veteran Paul Kennedy MBE, director and owner of Kennedy Integrated Solutions added,
“Many people have been instrumental in bringing about this research – from the pioneering
organisations (ICCA, MPI Foundation and Reed Travel Exhibitions) that worked for several years with
the UNWTO to create a credible framework for this study, to the current investors, researchers and
partners. The results are incredibly positive, showing the meeting industry for what it is – bigger
than agriculture, employing more than telecoms, having a greater contribution than legal or
accounting. These are all significant industries with loud voices that have the ears of government
and business leaders. It is time to take our place amongst them and as an industry determine a
coherent and attainable call to action.”
The full research report is available via the MPI website at www.mpiweb.org/UKEIS.
UKEIS Headline Results:
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More than 1.3 million meetings were held in the UK in 2011 in more than 10,000 venues.
Attendees spent just under £40 billion attending UK meetings.
Most meetings took place in London, the South East and the West Midlands.
After England, Scotland took the lead in hosting the largest number of meetings.
Whilst large hotels hosted most meetings, unusual and unique venues proved popular for
conference organisers, and small hotels more popular for incentive events.
Corporate clients hosted the vast majority of events, with many (more than 60%) favouring
smaller meetings of less than 100 people.
Meeting organisers staged on average 147 events in the year and received £11 billion from
hosting meetings in the UK and £1.4 billion from hosting meetings outside the UK.
The meeting industry is rated 17th among more than 100 industries in the UK, generating
more than £20.6 billion in GVA and £58.4 billion in GDP in 2011.
The total GDP generated by meetings accounts for about 2.9% of the UK GDP.
The meeting industry is a significant employer; the sector generated and supported more
than 1 million full-time equivalent jobs across a wide range of industries.
The meeting industry contributed more than £21 billion to tax revenues.
Cities and Regions
The UKEIS is the first MPI Foundation-commissioned study to breakdown data at a sub-national
level. The study has produced profile and economic impact data at home country and regional levels
as well as in five cities, namely, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Liverpool.
GVA by Country
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England: £15.5 billion
Scotland: £1.9 billion
Wales: £908 million
Northern Ireland: £268 million
GVA by City
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London: £5.6 billion
Edinburgh: £601 million
Cardiff: £587 million
Liverpool: £289 million
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Belfast: £128 million
The UKEIS was made possible thanks to generous investments to the MPI Foundation from leading
companies and organisations including: Barbican, Condé Nast, ExCel London, IMEX Group,
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), International Confex, International Congress and Convention
Association (ICCA), London & Partners, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Q Hotels, Reed Travel
Exhibitions, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Site International Foundation, The
Meetings Show UK, Visit Scotland, and Visit Wales.
About the MPI Foundation
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation is passionately committed to bringing vision
and prosperity to the meeting and event community worldwide by investing in results-oriented
initiatives and programs that shape the future and bring success to the industry. MPI is the largest
and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association, comprised of approximately 20,000
members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. For more information, visit
www.mpiweb.org/foundation.
About ICRETH
The International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH) at Leeds
Metropolitan University undertakes high quality research ethically and disseminates the findings
through research reports, articles and books, bespoke programmes of continuing professional
development, consultancy, short courses and specialist events. In addition to University investment,
research is funded by various international, national and local agencies or businesses. In recent
years, these have been as diverse as the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Economic and Social
Research Council (ESRC), European Commission, Meeting Professionals International (MPI),
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Institute of Travel and
Tourism (ITT), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and government departments,
NGOs in various European, African and Asian countries, sports governing bodies and private
companies. If you would like to discuss projects of mutual interest please email:
r.thomas@leedsmet.ac.uk or visit our web site for further details of our work
www.leedsmet.ac.uk/icreth
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