The Business of Events has confirmed the first wave of speakers and contributors for its 2026 Policy Forum, highlighting that this year’s gathering will include a significant update on the UK’s ongoing Major Events Inquiry. The event, positioned as a platform for structured dialogue between policymakers and the business events sector, will return to IET London: Savoy Place on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
The Policy Forum is designed to advance policy thinking around conferences, exhibitions and other business events, with the aim of supporting long-term growth in the UK’s events economy. Organisers expect attendance from politicians, civil servants, campaign groups and senior figures from across the events ecosystem, reflecting a cross-section of interests in how major events are funded, regulated and strategically supported.
Background and industry context
The UK business events sector has been working to reassert its economic contribution and strategic value as part of the wider visitor economy. Major conferences, trade shows and corporate events are increasingly recognised as drivers of inward investment, innovation and knowledge exchange, but industry bodies argue that this value is not always fully reflected in policy and funding frameworks.
In this context, The Business of Events has positioned its Policy Forum as a mechanism to give the sector a more structured voice in Westminster and Whitehall. By bringing together decision-makers and industry stakeholders in a formal setting, the Forum aims to influence how government departments and devolved administrations approach issues such as event infrastructure, international competitiveness, sustainability requirements and talent pipelines.
The UK’s Major Events Inquiry, referenced as a key feature of the 2026 Forum, sits within this broader policy environment. While detailed outcomes of the Inquiry are still emerging, it is focused on how the UK can better attract, retain and leverage large-scale events, spanning business, cultural and sporting segments. The Forum’s agenda is expected to examine how any recommendations from the Inquiry could feed into practical measures for the business events community.
Key developments and announcement
Organisers have outlined an initial programme that blends political insight with perspectives from event operators and advocacy groups. The 2026 Policy Forum will feature:
- Sessions examining the latest findings and policy direction related to the Major Events Inquiry.
- Contributions from politicians and policymakers with responsibility for tourism, trade, culture and regional development portfolios.
- Input from campaigners and industry leaders representing conferences, exhibitions, venues and destination marketing organisations.
The Business of Events describes the Policy Forum as its flagship policy platform, used to convene debate on regulatory and strategic issues affecting the sector. Each edition typically results in a set of insights and recommendations that feed into subsequent advocacy work with central government and regional authorities.
For 2026, the return to IET London: Savoy Place underscores the Forum’s focus on a professional, policy-led environment. The venue, long associated with knowledge and innovation sectors, provides a central London setting where delegates from government and industry can engage in structured discussion, workshops and briefings.
Industry impact and policy focus
The decision to make the Major Events Inquiry a central part of the agenda reflects growing interest in how the UK can position itself in a highly competitive global market for international meetings and large-scale events. Outcomes from the Inquiry could influence areas such as:
- How regions and cities bid for and host major business events.
- The level and type of public sector support available to attract international conferences and exhibitions.
- Infrastructure priorities, including venues, transport and digital connectivity.
- Policy frameworks around visas, security, sustainability and community impact.
For organisers and suppliers operating in both physical and hybrid formats, the Policy Forum offers an opportunity to highlight the role of technology in making events more resilient and inclusive. Discussions are expected to touch on the intersection of event policy with digital delivery, data standards and international participation, as policymakers assess how tech-enabled formats can extend the reach and economic value of UK-hosted events.
The presence of campaigners and advocacy networks at the Forum is also likely to keep attention on issues such as workforce development, diversity and accessibility. As the sector adapts to evolving expectations from delegates and exhibitors, these topics are increasingly influencing how destination strategies and funding packages are framed.
Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers
For event organisers, venues and suppliers, including technology platforms and service providers, the outcomes of the Policy Forum will help shape the regulatory and funding environment in which they operate. Policy decisions emerging from the Major Events Inquiry could affect bid strategies, investment decisions and the design of hybrid and in-person experiences.
Technology providers in particular have a stake in how policymakers define the role of digital infrastructure in major events. Areas such as connectivity standards, data protection, accessibility requirements and support for virtual or hybrid participation may all be influenced by the policy direction discussed at the Forum. Solutions that enable robust analytics, audience engagement and remote participation are likely to be part of the conversation around how the UK can enhance the value of its business events.
For corporate event professionals and association planners, the Forum’s discussions could inform long-term planning, especially around event location choices, international delegate participation and sustainability objectives. Clarity on government priorities and support mechanisms for major events can influence whether organisers commit to multi-year cycles in UK cities, or look to alternative destinations.
The session on the Major Events Inquiry is therefore positioned not simply as a policy update, but as a signal of how closely government views business events as part of its trade, innovation and regional growth strategies. A closer alignment between public policy and sector capabilities could open new opportunities for partnership and co-investment in digital and physical event infrastructure.
Conclusion
The 2026 edition of The Business of Events Policy Forum will place the UK Major Events Inquiry under the spotlight, providing stakeholders with a clearer view of the direction of travel for national and regional event strategies. By convening politicians, policymakers, campaigners and industry leaders at IET London: Savoy Place, the Forum aims to translate high-level policy discussions into practical implications for the business events community.
As the UK continues to refine its competitive position in the global events landscape, the dialogue at the Policy Forum is set to play a role in shaping how major business events are supported and delivered. For event professionals and technology providers, the outcomes will be closely watched as an indicator of future opportunities and constraints in the UK market.