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Government reveals more detail of trade show programme

by Emily Wallin

The government has revealed more detail of its UK Tradeshow Programme.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) last week announced  a 12-point export strategy, which includes the launch of a new UK Tradeshow Programme (UKTP) to help businesses promote their products around the world.

Exhibition industry insiders said they had been blindsided by the announcement and not been consulted on the drafting of plans and called for more detail.

Providing further detail to Exhibition News, the DIT said businesses with turnovers between £250,000 and £5m would be able to access support to attend a trade shows (as a precursor to a decision about whether to exhibit in the future) – and support to exhibit at a trade show.

Strong applications may also receive financial support, in the form of a grant of either £2,000 or £4,000, to help with the costs of exhibiting at the show to help maximise their trade show experience.

However, in order to be eligible for support businesses must be “exhibiting for the first time, or wishing to venture into new markets” the DIT said.

In order to be eligible businesses must  also have  fewer than 250 employees, be based in the UK (excluding the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands), be UK VAT registered and have an annual turnover of between £250,000 and £5m.

A DIT spokesperson added: “Our new export strategy and ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign will help businesses across the UK double exports and sell their world-class products around the globe.

“More exports means more jobs, more opportunities and higher wages helping the UK to level up and build back better. We will announce details of the new and improved UK tradeshow programme in due course.”

Both the Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO) and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) said they had no idea about the plans prior to the 18 Nov announcement.

However, the DIT told EN: “DIT has engaged with industry bodies during the development of the new UKTP and is committed to working in partnership with them in future, as we recognise the vital role they play in supporting SMEs in the UK.”

Further details on  eligibility criteria, when the programme will be launched and criteria for attendee will be published “in due course” the DIT added.

 

 

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