Exhibitions, Conferences, Events: Managing 2011

Specific changes to European VAT regulations for the event management sector were delayed from 2010 (the formal introduction of the ‘VAT Package’) to 2011. However, even the adoption of the general 2010 changes caused chaos for the sector in some areas. Spain, for example, created a rule that appeared to require all non-resident conference attendees to register for VAT. The principle was retracted, but illustrates the complexity of interpreting new place of supply rules in the event management sector.

Event, exhibition and conference companies will, depending on the precise classification of the nature of their business, now be obliged to de-register for VAT in Europe, make recovery claims under the new refund directive, or create new registrations. Getting compliant and making sure that clients are charged correctly will be a pressing commercial necessity in a highly competitive industry. Failure to plan for the changes could result in fines and penalties, uncompetitive pricing, lost recoverable VAT and dissatisfied clients.

Accordance works with many major event management firms right around Europe, and can help you transition to the new framework.  Click here to read more about our 2011 programme for the Event Management sector.