UK Event Industry Pushes for Mutual Recognition Agreement with EU

The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) has launched a fresh campaign urging both the UK and EU to prioritise a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) tailored for the business events sector. With over 1,100 exhibitions and 7 million annual attendees, the UK events industry is a major economic driver supporting more than 100,000 jobs.

Under this proposal, MRA would enable smoother cross-border cooperation simplifying visa requirements for event professionals, reducing administrative red tape, and allowing technical certifications and standards to be mutually recognised. These measures aim to reverse the trade friction introduced by Brexit and bolster the UK as a prime destination for international events .

The campaign also gained political traction, with backing from a cross-party group of MPs and the European Exhibition Industry Alliance. Shaun Davies MP highlighted that enhanced collaboration “would reduce friction, support exporters and reaffirm the UK’s role as a world-leading destination.” Meanwhile, Barbara Weizsäcker of EEIA noted that such an agreement would relieve operational hurdles and strengthen UK-EU ties.

By targeting event-specific trade barriers, the EIA argues this sector-focused MRA offers a strategic, low-cost winone that secures long-term benefits without reopening broader Brexit negotiations. The alliance is calling on policymakers to place this issue at the forefront of upcoming trade discussions.

Author: Ryan Moss
Original source link: Event Industry News
Read full link: https://www.eventindustrynews.com/news/events-industry-alliance-calls-for-a-mutual-recognition-agreement-with-the-eu-to-ensure-that-the-uk-can-continue-to-be-a-leading-global-destination-for-business-events