Weekly update

Stay up-to-date with the latest beam member news and updates in our weekly newsletter. All beam member news can also be found in our News Centre ??

Positive Evolution Vibes at Venues of Excellence Annual Conference

The Venues of Excellence (VOE) Annual Conference 2025 – “Positive Evolution”, was held this year at the recently renovated Imago Venues, Burleigh Court, brought together over 130 industry leaders, professionals, and suppliers for an inspiring celebration of growth, collaboration, and innovation. Attendees from across the UK gathered to exchange ideas, discuss future trends, and connect with like-minded individuals, creating an atmosphere charged with positive energy and forward-thinking insights.

Throughout the event, the overarching theme of “Positive Evolution” resonated deeply with all participants. From keynote speeches by influential thought leaders to interactive workshops and networking opportunities, the conference fostered a unique environment for personal and professional development.

Throughout the planning for this year’s conference, the team at Burleigh Court worked with the VOE team to bring together an inspiring conference. Emma Chamberlain , Commercial Director, Imago Venues on being hosts to the conference said:

“Hosting this year’s Venues of Excellence Positive Evolution Conference at Burleigh Court was an absolute pleasure for me and the entire Imago Venues team. It was fantastic to welcome industry colleagues to our venue, giving them the chance to experience firsthand the service, hospitality, and facilities we’re so proud of. What made this event even more special was the opportunity to showcase some of the exciting changes we’ve made at Burleigh Court. Introducing our brand-new restaurant, Fifty the Street, our beautifully refurbished bar, Carney & Scotts, and our brand-new conference suite to such a great audience was a real highlight. Seeing delegates enjoying these spaces and hearing their positive feedback was incredibly rewarding. The energy and enthusiasm throughout the conference were inspiring, and I’m so proud of our team for delivering a seamless experience. We’ve always valued our strong partnership with Venues of Excellence, and hosting this event reinforced just how important it is to collaborate and share best practices in our industry. We look forward to many more opportunities to work together and continue driving excellence in hospitality and events.”

Read more.

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel wins prestigious Green Key Sustainability Award

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel has been awarded the?Green Key International Sustainability Award, recognising its commitment to environmentally responsible hospitality.

What This Means for Events

Event planners are increasingly seeking venues that align with corporate sustainability commitments while maintaining exceptional service. By choosing Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, organisers gain access to a venue that:

• Operates with sustainability at its core
• Reduces environmental impact without compromising on quality
• Supports the seamless execution of eco-friendly events

Read more.

Labour MP Lilian Greenwood Visits Nottingham Venues to Discuss Hospitality Industry Challenges?

Nottingham Venues,?the?collection of independent venues specialising in meetings and events set within the University of Nottingham campus, has welcomed Labour MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, to its East Midlands Conference Centre and Orchard Hotel for an insightful visit and discussion on the hospitality industry.

The visit, organised by UKHospitality , brought together key figures from the sector to explore both local and national industry challenges and opportunities.

Following the tour, Lilian joined a roundtable discussion featuring representatives from across the hospitality industry, including Tom Waldron-Lynch FIH MI (CEO of Nottingham Venues ),) Michele Somers (DHP Family Area Manager and Pubwatch Chair), Calum Brock (Regional Operations Director at Wagamama’s), Pete Terry (Managing Director at Disco Bowl Limited), Matt Kemp (Operations Director at Gastronomy) and David Sheen (Public Affairs Director at UKHospitality).

Discussions focused on the current issues within the hospitality industry in Nottinghamshire and across the UK, touching on workforce, tax rises, sustainability, economic pressures, and future growth opportunities.

Tom Waldron-Lynch, Chief Executive of Nottingham Venues, commented:

“We were honoured to host Lilian Greenwood and our colleagues from the hospitality sector. This visit provided a vital platform to discuss the challenges our industry faces and the opportunities that lie ahead. Engaging with policymakers like Lilian and industry leaders goes a long way in helping our sector overcome its challenges and in ensuring that it continues to thrive.

“We hope that government will acknowledge the contribution hospitality makes to the UK economy. The industry could and should be a key part of the Government growth agenda and we hope the Government will put the right support in place for our industry.”

Read more.

Butlin’s Appoints Ervina Kiezaite as National Sales Manager for Conferences & Events

Butlin’s has announced the appointment of Ervina K. as the new National Sales Manager for Conferences & Events. With over 12 years of experience in sales, events, and marketing, Ervina is set to lead the continued growth of Butlin's Conferences & Events across its three resorts in Bognor Regis, Skegness, and Minehead.

Ervina joins Butlin’s from Clermont Hotel Group, where she successfully worked in Sales and Marketing for more than four years. Her wealth of expertise in delivering high-profile events and building strong client relationships will play a key role in further developing Butlin’s Conference & Events offering. With a focus on growing corporate sales, Ervina will continue to strengthen relationships with existing clients while also attracting new business across Butlin’s extensive range of event and conference facilities.

Ervina is excited to continue this momentum and elevate Butlin’s Conference & Events to new heights, stating:

“It’s a great time to be joining the team. All three resorts offer truly unique and versatile event spaces where clients can bring their vision to life, transforming the venues to suit their needs – especially for exclusive hire. I’m especially excited to work alongside such a talented team to create unforgettable corporate events that leave lasting memories.’’

Read more.

Industry News

UKEVENTS showcases the ï¿¡61.6 Billion Value of the UK events industry at exhibition in Parliament

UKEVENTS (Org) hosted a special exhibition in Parliament to highlight the vital contribution of the UK events industry to the national economy, 3-6 February. Over four days, UKEVENTS representatives engaged with MPs and Lords, emphasising the ï¿¡61.6 billion value of the sector and its pivotal role in supporting local economies, driving business tourism, and creating jobs across the country.

With over 700,000 people employed in the sector, the UK events industry plays a crucial role in economic growth. The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for policymakers to connect with event industry leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the sector’s value and its potential for future expansion.

Throughout the exhibition, parliamentarians showed great interest in how the events industry directly impacts their constituencies. Many were unaware of the sector’s challenges, such as trade friction, complex visa regulations, and a lack of recognition for business events, but were eager to explore how the government could support the industry’s growth.

Michael Hirst OBE, UKEVENTS

"It was rather like working a trade show stand, catching parliamentarians on the run to other meetings. You had to adopt all sorts of comments to attract their attention. I convinced Aphra Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester South (daughter of the broadcaster Giles Brandreth), to stop by telling her—after some sleuthful research—that we were both born at Middlesex Hospital, albeit 35 years apart!

"In most circumstances, we had less than 10 seconds to catch their attention, so we used the 'elevator pitch,' highlighting the ï¿¡61.6 billion industry value, its growth potential, and the breadth of activities our industry covers."

David Tremmil , Vice Chair, UKEVENTS & Vice Chair, beam

"Our discussions with MPs in Parliament last week reinforced the vital ￡61.6 billion contribution of events to the UK economy. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to understand more about the industry’s impact and the challenges faced by event venues in their constituencies."

Louisa Watson , Chair, beam

"It’s clear from conversations with MPs and members of the House of Lords that they understand business events are not only a key economic driver but also a crucial part of local communities. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and working with UKEVENTS and the APPG to unlock further growth and opportunities for our sector."

Read more.

??? Visit our website for more information on becoming a member.

?? Want to be featured? Get in touch with your news stories membership@beam-org.uk

? Follow us on Instagram.