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Government Advocacy

VisitBritain and HM Government offer Government Advocacy to support the events industry in Britain, strengthening the bidding process and helping to welcome new international business events.

Government advocacy

We work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and other cross government partners to offer Government Advocacy to British organisers. We make requests for support – where possible – that will aid in winning international business events to Britain or help to grow the international profile of our sector.

Through this strand you can connect with Ministerial, Senior Government and high-profile figures who can add value and boost your bid or event. It can not only help increase your chances of winning future bids but also can grow attendance and awareness of Britain as a potential host destination.

The initiative forms part of our Business Events Growth Programme, which champions international conferences, trade shows, congresses and exhibitions hosted in Britain. 
 

Types of advocacy

Advocacy support can take many forms, such as:

  • Letters or videos of support from Ministerial or Senior Government figures, as well as VisitBritain CEO, to strengthen and boost Britain’s winning potential for international business events
  • Welcome video from Ministerial or Senior Government figures in support of upcoming events, welcoming event attendees to Britain
  • Keynote speech

Who can apply

We welcome applications from various types of organisations, including but not limited to convention bureaus, universities or associations. If you are delivering the event in partnership, please make this clear in your application.

For criteria, funding conditions and the steps to receive financial support, please refer to the Government Advocacy guidelines (PDF, 1.35 MB).

Please note: This support is offered all year round and applications are welcome on an ongoing basis. We recommend applying as early as possible to get the best possible assistance. 

How to apply

  1. Read the application guidelines (PDF, 1.35 MB), paying attention to the objectives and eligibility criteria. If you need clarification do not hesitate to get in touch.
  2. If you fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria, please complete the Government Advocacy application form (PDF, 801.62 KB) and return it to [email protected] with the following reference in the subject line: Advocacy/Event name
  3. Please add as many event details as possible in order for us to provide the best type of support.

Please allow a minimum of one month for advocacy requests.

Please note: Purdah and/or recess sessions across the year might delay your request of support. Be aware that submitting a request for support, regardless of whether the minimum criteria has been reached, does not ensure that the support will be made available under this or any other initiative.
 

How advocacy helped London secure the 2023 international eco-summit worth £877,000 in visitor value

St Paul's Cathedral

Picnicking at Festival Gardens by St Paul's Cathedral

Despite tough European competition, London was awarded the 2023 congress worth an estimated £877,000 in visitor value. Reputationally this was a strong win, bringing together urban stakeholders from all over the world to discuss how cities can be built in balance with the natural environment. It also leads on from Glasgow’s COP26 2021, which showcased Britain as a key host around important business events tackling climate change.

Working closely with London’s growth agency London & Partners we were able to secure significant advocacy across three government departments: DCMS, DLUHC and DEFRA. The backing added weight to the winning bid which sees London as the host of the 2023 Ecocity World Summit – a pioneering global conference on sustainable cities.

This hybrid physical-virtual summit takes place between 6 to 8 June 2023 at the Barbican Centre. It brings in representatives from communities across the city including children, academics, professionals, investors, trade associations and political leaders, to share new thinking and foster the energy generated by COP26. 

Useful contacts

Events Support

Contact the team

Discover more

Find out what Britain can offer your international business event across each nation.

Blenheim Palace

Title TBA

Guides, toolkits, training presentations and content to add to destination proposals.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

The arena at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during a performance of the military event, parade ground and packed spectator seating. A light show projecting onto the castle walls. Marching band with a leading conductor, and massed pipers playing the bagpipes. Fireworks exploding in the night sky.

Widen your network, sharpen your skills and access new markets with our events and training.

Getty Images/Caia Image

A diverse group of people is networking during a conference break while drinking coffee and eating sandwiches and cake. The focus of the image is on a group of three, two woman standing and one man sitting in a wheelchair, talking to each other in front of people standing at a buffet in the background.