The MPI Foundation today released findings  from the first-ever U.K. Economic Impact Study (UKEIS) during a presentation at International Confex in London, England.

The study—conducted by researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University—found, among other things, that

• More than 1,301,600 meetings took place in the U.K. and attracted 116.1 million attendees who accounted for spending just under £40 billion in 2011;
• 64 percent of meetings were classed as small meetings with fewer than 100 attendees; nearly 30 percent were for between 100 and 500 attendees and 6 percent attracted more than 500 attendees;
• More than 81 percent of meetings were held for the corporate sector;
• Meetings took place in 10,127 meeting venues across the U.K.;
• The most prominent income for meeting organizations was from delegate registration fees (38.1 percent), followed by exhibitor fees (31.6 percent) and sponsorship (19.5 percent); and
• The largest expense for meeting organizations in the U.K. was venue hire (17.4 percent)

“These fantastic figures represent a starting point for the meetings industry,” said Samme Allen, MPI U.K. and Ireland Chapter president and head of sales for business events at the Barbican Centre in London. “They are an opportunity to focus on the size and shape of the sector as we begin to fully understand the impact of meetings on the U.K. economy.”

James Samuel, MPI U.K. and Ireland Chapter president-elect and event director for International Confex, says the UKEIS is the most important research ever undertaken by the industry in this part of the world. 

“This profile data provides a clearer picture of the industry than we have ever previously had,” he said. “As the figures are broken down and further information becomes available, we will gain a true insight into not just the size of our sector but also its impact and position in the world around us.”

More than 100 guests, made up of members and non members, gathered to listen to the MPI United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter’s plans at its annual summer party, held at St. Martin-in-the-Fields earlier on September 17, an event which also marked the chapter’s 18th birthday alongside the MPI’s 40th anniversary.

“The event was a great success attended by a host of industry leaders and experts," said Samme Allen, chapter president and head of sales at Barbican. "In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight the chapter’s plans for the year ahead that will bring even greater benefits to the membership. It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the chapter’s success over the last 18 years and to thank members of the committee past and present—without their support, we wouldn’t be able to make our members successful and help them achieve their goals.

“This year is an important milestone for the chapter," she continued. "We are a community that is continually growing, and I believe 2012/2013 will be a great year for the chapter as we increase the opportunities for our members. We have listened to what our members want from their membership, and this has helped form our program going forward. We are confident that there are elements that will help everybody succeed, and I look forward to the impact they will have on their roles and as individuals.”

The many educational opportunities include corporate and agency planner forums, technology updates and CSR planner forums.

As well as education, the MPI U.K. and Ireland Chapter is building professional connections and will be hosting a variety of networking events including the popular "MPI and a Pint." The chapter hopes to organize these on a national and local level to encourage better member participation.

“MPI is about success for all," Allen said. "Being a member of a vibrant organization provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, and we want to help members achieve their goals. We are investing in quality by creating and facilitating opportunities, which raise the bar for our membership and the wider meeting and events industry. But you only get out what you put in, which is why we encourage our members to become involved in the chapter’s activities as much as possible. It was encouraging that a number of members signed up for volunteer roles within the chapter on the night as well as inquiries from non-members interested in joining MPI. It makes for a very exciting future for the chapter.”

Lufthansa is launching flights to London Gatwick, the airline’s eighth destination in the United Kingdom, in October. The German carrier will serve the U.K.’s second-largest airport twice daily, connecting it with Frankfurt and to Lufthansa’s global network. The route will be operated by a Boeing B737-500 with 120 seats in Business and Economy Class.

“The new service to a third London airport will enable us to offer an attractive alternative for passengers flying to London,” said Kay Kratky, a member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board. “The city’s second-largest airport will also be of interest to leisure travelers who wish to visit the south of England and its impressive coastline.” 

With the introduction of flights to Gatwick, Lufthansa will increase its weekly services from Germany to the U.K. to 455. This winter, in addition to London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City, Lufthansa’s UK route network will encompass Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.