With the Showman’s Show, held at Newbury Showground from 19th – 20th October, now just under a week away, organiser Lance Show & Publications Limited and the National Outdoor Event Association (NOEA) announced today that James Heappey, Conservative MP for Wells and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for events will be attending this year’s Show on Thursday 20th October.
NOEA has been instrumental in facilitating James’ visit to the Showman’s Show 2016. Keen to meet more businesses and learn more about the industry he passionately represents, the visit to the Show will include a meet and greet session with members of the organising team, a press call, tour of exhibition stands and participation in a Campfire Session entitled ‘How will Brexit affect the event industry’.
“The outdoor sector of the industry is one which I have a particular passion for, it represents some of the highlights of the UK events industry from a music, sporting and cultural perspective,” comments Heappey. “I’m looking forward to seeing even more of the businesses that make these events happen and bring them to life.”
The Brexit session will take a detailed look at how the UK’s exit from the European Union will impact the event industry; from the drop in the value of the pound and the impending changes to a labour market that is heavily reliant on immigration, to a reluctance to invest in events and the possible changes to international tourism.
Commenting on James’ visit to the Showman’s Show, organiser Johnny Lance said: “It is great to have someone within government actively championing the outdoor event industry and recognising the role of the Showman’s Show. We will ensure James receives an extremely warm welcome and gets the most out of the experience. To have him participate in the inaugural Campfire Sessions is a real coup and we’re really looking forward to the talk on Brexit.”
During the Show, NOEA representatives will also be holding talks with Heappey, on the association’s forthcoming conference and awards (24th November), where he will also talk on the subject of Commercialisation.
“We’ve got to know James really well and are delighted with his passion and commitment to every sector of the UK events industry,” commented Richard Limb, President of the NOEA. “The Showman’s Show is a brilliant forum to see this industry at its very best; the outdoor sector is one James knows well so it should be a really positive occasion.”
Elected as Conservative MP for Wells in May 2015, James became Chairman of the APPG for events in October of that year. Before entering politics, James served in the British Army for ten years reaching the rank of Major. James also sits on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and is a committed campaigner for the rural economy, both of which have synergy with the outdoor event industry.