Millennium Point conference in Birmingham to debate the future of UK events

As the UK events industry prepares itself for the next stage in the easing of lockdown restrictions, and the return of indoor events from 17 May, Birmingham’s Millennium Point is bringing together experts from across the sector to debate the future of events in a post lockdown world. Talking Point: The Future of Events is a free, two-hour hybrid conference taking place both online and in person at Millennium Point’s newly refurbished Auditorium on Wednesday 26 May, 2pm-4pm. Featuring perspectives from across the industry, the conference will provide valuable insights and a platform to debate the road to recovery, current trends, sustainability, and the impact of Covid-19 on customers’ relationships to events and hospitality. The first panel, Events & Hospitality: Roadmap to Recovery, will discuss the key trends, innovations and roadblocks to consider over the next 18 months. Guests will hear from Rebecca Delmore, commercial director at Millennium Point, alongside Chris Peacock, head of events at Conference Care and Paul Colston, managing editor of the International Portfolio at Mash Media (Exhibition World and Conference & Meetings World). During the second panel, Going Green: The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility, guests will hear a range of views on the growing demand for sustainable events, and the challenges and opportunities of hybrid events, the impact of green initiatives such as clean air zones and the future for the industry. Panellists include Victoria Webb, sales manager at Millennium Point, Andrew Perolls, CEO of Greengage Solutions and Michael Anderson, projects director for West Midlands Metro. Commenting on the conference, Rebecca Delmore, said: “The UK events industry is worth £84bn to the economy, and has a vital role to play in the country’s recovery. However, after a long 14 months of lockdown, it has also been one of the hardest hit sectors, and it will take every bit of innovation and resilience for businesses to thrive over the months ahead. “We now have a light at the end of the tunnel as restrictions start to ease, and we hope that this conference will provide the opportunity for guests from across the events ecosystem to come together, both in person and virtually, to share knowledge and insight to enable them to come back fighting.” Tickets to Talking Point: The Future of Events are free and available for either physical attendance or viewing online via a live stream. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/talking-point/.