Government Advocacy
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.
You will need to describe in detail what type of support is sought and outline the key milestones and dates we should be aware of.
Who can apply
We welcome applications from various types of organisations, including but not limited to:
- Convention Bureaus (CVBs)
- Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)
- Venues
- Universities
- Associations
If you are delivering the event in partnership, please make this clear in your application.
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
- Read carefully the application guidelines, paying attention to the fund’s objectives and eligibility criteria.
- If you fulfil the mandatory eligibility criteria, please visit VisitBritain/VisitEngland Grants portal and register an account to get started.
- Once registered with an account, you can start an application for Government Advocacy from the available grants page, and submit it for review.
Please add as many event details as possible in order for us to provide the best type of support, and allow a minimum of 3 weeks for advocacy requests. We recommend applying as early as possible, to get the best possible assistance.
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
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.
