News Item: All Party Parliamentary Group for Events has First Meeting
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) is a cross-party group made up of members from both Houses of Parliament and will act as the event industry’s voice in Westminster.
The Event Hire Association was delighted to advise that EHA Event Equipment Board Chair Stuart Slaughter from Plato Catering Hire would be represent Members on the APPG.
The APPG for Events provides a forum for the highly diverse and valuable UK events industry in Parliament, engaging with representatives from across the political spectrum. The APPG will play a key role in keeping the events industry high on the Parliamentary agenda.
Shaun Davies, Member of Parliament for Telford (Labour) was formally elected as Chair of the APPG. In addition, as per Parliamentary rules, three further Officers were also nominated and elected, who were: Jack Rankin, Member of Parliament for Windsor (Conservative), David Baines, Member of Parliament for St Helens North (Labour) and Gill German, Member of Parliament for Clwyd North (Labour).
Stuart attended the first meeting on 6th May 2025. Paul Gaze HAE EHA CEO, said, “As Chair of the Event Hire Association and a passionate advocate for the events sector, Stuart Slaughter from Plato Catering Hire was the unanimous choice for the APPG.
“The first meeting was a great opportunity to meet with the MPs and explain the significant contribution and impact that the events sector has both here on the UK economy and beyond these shores, representing UK PLC. The events sector also plays a vital role in community development, bringing people and businesses together.
“Establishing an APPG for events is a critical step in showcasing the vital work of the sector to the politicians and decision makers and assisting the Government in better understanding the impact of the sector.
“The APPG brings together people to advocate and shape policy, highlighting the economic value of an essential sector and showcasing the organisations, people, and businesses who make a difference. It is strategically, socially, and economically important to the events sector that the APPG spreads the word. The Event Hire Association is delighted that EHA Chair, Stuart Slaughter is leading the charge for us in this event on the APPG.”
An APPG for Events Biannual Briefing document was published in July covering the activities of its Chair, MP Shaun Davies, since the group’s formation. These include: