Access All Areas February 2019 | Page 23

FEBRUARY | OPINION Night Time Industries Association 2019: The Future To kick start 2019, NTIA CEO Michael Kill, with his members, partners and sponsors looks out on some challenging issues T o all those within our industry who were the very last to close your business doors to 2018, whilst balancing a well-deserved break, enjoying festive moments with family and friends and preparing to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead for us in 2019. The NTIA welcomes you to a very exciting and prosperous New Year! For many operators, across the portfolio of businesses within the sector, there is a clear misunderstanding on why or what the PPL / PRS have a right to collect royalties for, and in this a genuine distrust in the transparency that has been afforded the industry when the question has been asked. 2019 will bring a new era, challenging the current position in terms of operator tariffs, and artist royalty payments. With PPL intimating that its members have requested a long-awaited levy increase, the industry asks where is that money going? The subtle groans of Security Operators over the festive period re enforced the current issues surrounding security resource within the sector. Growing concern in terms of overall resource with increased demand has been voiced across the sector, within many circles. We have established working groups around accreditation, and licensing infrastructure, with key operators and the Security Industry Authority to generate some realistic short term and long- term solutions to a potential issue, which poses a threat to the sector. Establishing a basis for change will allow us to lobby key interested parties. The growth of the events and festival sector has been just short of amazing, with the UK hosting some ground-breaking experiences across the country. With a changing landscape, in terms of growth and the constant requirement for event/festival space, the licensing infrastructure and cultural relevance in terms of communities will need to evolve. For events to be assessed on impact within communities there needs to be a clear understanding of the cost vs benefit! Our work alongside Mash Media and the events sector to establish clear guidelines and consideration will allow event/festival operators to establish a foundation for future business! Looking forward to a preview of our Research Paper at EPS on 26-27 February 2019. The sectors consistent evaluation of harm reduction strategy, development of safety schemes, drug testing and the training of not only the operators, but of the authorities and the police who guide and assess their impact is important to developing and growing a sustainable industry. We are within an evolutionary period, where authorities need to further their cultural understanding and align themselves to the industry in terms of the changing landscape, impact, market requirement and levels of accountability within it. Anyone who has spent time in our capitals can agree the Referendum itself appears to have had little impact on the consumer with festivals, events, restaurants and bars continuing to be as busy as normal. However, our cities rely on our innovation and drive to ensure we develop culture and entertainment within all night time and creative industries. We believe that the events and retail licensed sector has a fundamental part to play in the regeneration of the High Street. Question is, will our sectors continue to be nourished and allowed to improve on our cultural identity and maintain our status, not only in the UK but globally? Looking forward to discussing more at the Event Production Show 26-27 February 2019 where we will be speaking on behalf of the NTIA on subjects that effect our trade sector, and how we will be challenging these issues in the future. 23