Industry collaboration drives change with ISIC recommendations for the UK events sector

After a period of intense lobbying, and coordinated advocacy, involving three industry organisations, the challenge of having a set of International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) codes for the UK events sector may be a step closer…

Following the publication of an extensive White Paper, which was shared with key Government Departments, including the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in February, the Meetings Industry Association, beam, and The Business of Events, collaborated to create and deliver, at the request of DBT and the ONS, a series of nineteen individual recommendations to implement new ISIC Codes.

The White Paper and recommendations were also supported and endorsed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events.

What are ISIC codes and why they matter for the UK events sector

ISIC Codes are critical in accurately measuring the economic value of individual sectors from across the wider events economy, and as was highlighted during the period of the pandemic, not having accurate and real time data on the size and importance of the UK events sector, became a significant barrier when trying to gain further support and engagement from Government.

Following the submission of recommendations, there will be a period of further review and consultation with a decision coming in early 2026.

You can download a copy of the ISIC Codes and the Global Events Economy White Paper HERE.

About The Business of Events

The Business of Events is an independent Think Tank and Advocacy Network run by brand communications agency Davies Tanner.

The Business of Events’ signature Global Policy Forum brought together politicians, policymakers and leading industry figures on April 1st, which this year was sponsored by RX Global.ISIC codes 

The forum in designed to unlock the potential and drive growth within the UK’s business events economy. It was encouraging to have high level speakers and contributors including Shaun Davies MP Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events; Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee; and columnist and politician Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE to discuss the political and economic landscape.