Is it Hospitality or Events Industry?

The events industry in the UK has a long and rich history, with events and celebrations being a part of the country's culture for centuries. The earliest known example of a large-scale event in the UK is the medieval tournament, which took place in the 12th and 13th centuries. These events featured knights competing in jousts and other physical challenges, and attracted large crowds of spectators.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the UK saw the rise of the masque, a type of entertainment that combined music, dance, and drama. Masques were often commissioned by wealthy patrons and performed in grand venues such as royal palaces.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the UK saw the emergence of the public festival, with events such as fairs, carnivals, and exhibitions becoming popular across the country. These events provided opportunities for people to gather, socialise, and celebrate, and often featured games, food, and entertainment.

In the 20th century, the events industry in the UK began to grow rapidly, with the development of large-scale events such as music festivals, sporting events, and corporate conferences. The post-war period saw the emergence of events such as the Edinburgh Festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, and the Glastonbury Festival, which became cultural landmarks and attracted large crowds of visitors from around the world.

Today, the events industry in the UK is a thriving and diverse sector, with events ranging from small-scale community celebrations to international conferences and exhibitions. According to the latest research by the Event Industry Board, the UK events industry is worth over ￡70 billion ($96 billion) annually, contributing around 3.2% of the UK's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and employing over 700,000 people. The industry encompasses a wide range of sectors, including conferences and exhibitions, festivals and cultural events, corporate events, and sporting events.

The events industry has been growing steadily in the UK over the past decade, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% between 2010 and 2019. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry was expected to continue growing, with estimates that the sector would be worth over ￡85 billion ($117 billion) by 2025.

While hospitality and events businesses share some similarities, they are fundamentally different in terms of their focus, goals, and operations. Understanding these differences can help business owners to choose the right path for their career and ensure that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.

The hospitality industry is primarily focused on providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience to guests, whether they are staying at a hotel, dining in a restaurant, or attending an event. This industry requires a focus on customer service, quality control, and efficient operations. Hospitality businesses typically employ staff such as front desk clerks, chefs, servers, and housekeepers, who work together to create a memorable experience for guests.

In contrast, the events industry is focused on planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of events, from weddings and corporate events to festivals and concerts. Events businesses require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure. Event planners and coordinators work with clients to develop a vision for their event, secure venues, vendors, and equipment, and manage logistics to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of the event.

While there is some overlap between these two industries, the goals and objectives of each are different. Hospitality businesses aim to provide an enjoyable experience to guests, while events businesses aim to create a memorable and successful event for clients. Additionally, the operational challenges of each industry are unique. Hospitality businesses must focus on delivering consistent quality and customer service, while events businesses must be prepared to handle unexpected challenges and last-minute changes.

Another key difference between these industries is the types of skills and knowledge required to succeed. Hospitality businesses require a strong understanding of customer service, marketing, and operations management. Events businesses, on the other hand, require a strong understanding of event planning, vendor management, and logistics coordination. Additionally, events businesses must have strong networking and communication skills in order to build relationships with clients and vendors and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

While hospitality and events businesses share some similarities, they are fundamentally different in terms of their focus, goals, and operations. Far to often the two industries are confused and ourselves we are very bad at defining and identifying which industry we operate in. By being clean and concise regarding the industry we work in will help clarity amongst our teams and assist in gaining respect for what we do.