EIAG calls for more information for event organisers around COVID-19 routemap

Scotland’s Event Industry Advisory Group has written directly to the First Minister to highlight the urgent need for greater clarity around a recovery route map from COVID-19 to allow the sector time to plan for the return of events.

In a letter from Peter Duthie, chair of the Event Industry Advisory Group, the group insisted that more information is vital in being able to forward plan for the restart of the sector given long lead-in times for events and upfront investment required, while acknowledging the challenges faced trying to predict an uncertain future in the coming months.

It also called for as far as possible a unified Four Nations approach across the UK nations, warning that Scotland’s events sector is already facing significant disadvantages compared to England, which has seen buoyant sales figures since the UK Government published indicative dates for the return of events. The group also highlighted a concern for the viability of continued sectoral funding support should Scotland lag behind the rest of the UK in a route map for return.

The group, which comprises 23 senior representatives from a broad cross section of the events & festivals sector in Scotland, has been continually highlighting the needs of the industry throughout the pandemic.

Through positive Government engagement it has advocated for and secured additional funding support for the sector as well as utilising the expertise and professionalism of the industry to guide Government and public health officials on a return to events. It is now hoped that this constructive engagement will herald a clear route map with the publication of the Government’s updated Strategic Framework for COVID-19 week beginning 15 March.

Read more