The Game Fair plans in full swing as events get boost

Bookings are flooding in for next July’s Game Fair at Ragley Hall, following the Government’s announcement that the events sector should get back to normal by Easter.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Major Events Summit as the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said he expected a return to normality for the events industry by Easter.

He added that the Government’s Winter Plan which enables venues in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas to host events with audiences was a “glint of light at the end of the tunnel.”

He said, “I know it’s nothing like normalcy but at least it provides some progress. Much more importantly, when we look at the path through to Easter, in recent days we have seen a stream of positive news about potential vaccines and testing. I really do firmly believe, and I know the Prime Minister shares this view, that a return to normality is firmly within our sights.

“I think we are looking broadly in the space of around Easter time.”

He said that while 2020 was a terrible year, 2021 would be a year of recovery and 2022 will be a year of celebration.

While health secretary Matt Hancock added: “The bulk of the vaccine rollout programme will be in January, February, March, and we hope that sometime after Easter things will be able to start to get back to normal.”

The Game Fair managing director James Gower commented: “The news in recent weeks about vaccines has literally been a shot in the arm for events for ours in particular – we have had so many companies rolling over their bookings from 2020 to 2021.

“In addition, we have had contact from many new exhibitors, all eager to book a good spot for what will be the countryside event of the summer.

“As the UK returns to normality, getting out and about in the fresh air and enjoying the warm summer days and long, balmy evenings with like-minded friends at the Game Fair is the bright spot on the horizon for many – and the industry recognises that and wants to be a part of it. There has never been a better time to book your stand for 2021.”