Mike Kershaw meets with MP Peter Mandelson to discuss the event industry
David Quainton, 15 February 2010
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2 comment s on this article.The event industry's meeting with central government was hailed a success last Thursday, as Concerto Group chairman Mike Kershaw discussed the effects of the recession with business secretary Peter Mandelson.
Kershaw was invited to 10 Downing Street last Thursday following the 'Say Thank You At Christmas' campaign that gained media traction last year.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had been scheduled to attend but was delayed returning from a trip from Belgium.
Kershaw initially discussed the fact Government "does not understand the size and scale of the events industry". Mandelson went on to explain the wider economic impact on the subsidiary industries that rely heavily on the event industry, such as hotels, restaurants, and taxi firms.
Kershaw then suggested raising the tax threshold from £150 to £500 per person, in order to encourage companies to engage with their staff. Civil servants later promised to investigate the matter further.
Mandelson agreed with Kershaw that things had been tough in the last year but said: "It will come back, dear boy."
Is Mandelson right? Would a tax threshold increase help kick-start the industry? How can the event industry get more Government recognition? To add a comment register and let us know your thoughts.
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Robert Denton - 15 February 2010
What is happening in the events industry reminds me of the metaphorical 'Who Moved My Cheese?' which was very popular a few years ago. "It will come back, dear boy", apart from being ludicrously camp and dismissive, is the equivalent of sitting in the same place waiting for the cheese to come back. It's gone, simple as that.
Smart mice are busy looking for new cheese.
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