WINTER | FEATURE
Power to the people
The Power of Events founder Rick Stainton reflects on the four nations launch of the initiative ’ s Event Industry Insight App and outlines what it means for the live events industry
Monday 6 November saw The University of Ulster hosting The Power of Events team in the iconic atrium that President Biden visited on his last trip to Northern Ireland . With fantastic support from both Visit Belfast , Tourism Northern Ireland and the University team , an audience of students and industry professionals totalling over 100 guests engaged with the platform and the new Industry Insight App . They also learnt more about career opportunities with an expert panel of key stakeholders and then enjoyed the hospitality on offer while networking and making new connections .
The original launch programme for the Event Industry Insights App had 15 dates booked out to visit key industry events and University Research Partners across the four nations , but due to popular demand the tour was extended to over 30 events , with a mixture of trade events , awards and bespoke sessions added into the schedule . However , the event in Belfast completed the promise to take the launch to each of the four nations , with events recently held in the EICC in Edinburgh , Cardiff Metropolitan University , across England and finally Belfast . Other locations included in the launch tour included Bournemouth , Birmingham , London , Manchester , Sheffield , Wakefield , Guildford , Leeds and Ipswich .
Key Tour Takeouts One of the key features on the tour has been the fantastic levels of engagement from both students and industry professionals attending the events . For students the main focus has been on the fantastic resource that Power of Events website offers them in terms of insight and understanding how the events industry works across the seven core sectors , an introduction to all the main supporting communities and the chance to see the range of engagements available on the events industry calendar . For event professionals the main takeaway has been understanding the breadth and range of their industry communities , downloading and registering on the Event Industry Insight App as well as the need to support , share and suggest in order to ensure that the event industry is respected and valued as a world class creative industry .
The app is a digital tool designed
to improve the breadth of reach and quality of data produced across all sectors and will help generate really credible insights into so many key issues – from sustainability to accessibility , DEI to career development routes . It is a tool aimed to primarily help industry association and university partners with their research projects . Everyone agrees that our complex industry provides multiple data points from each sector but that this often creates a limited understanding of the broader ecosystem that we operate in .
Pending Projects The other two major projects also devised from industry feedback are in final stages of development . Scheduled for delivery before Christmas is a brand new Careers Hub section for the platform focussing on employment routes and progression in the industry . The second project is the UK-wide Schools Engagement programme which launches with a pilot in the East of England to 85 schools in the region in Jan 2024 . It is mapping volunteer ambassadors into their local schools , having secured a significant number of opportunities through our specialist education outreach partner Form the Future .
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