Most importantly , it will be completely free to all users , independently funded , and designed as a resource for all event institutions and professionals to personalise their engagement according to their needs .
Initial work has been completed on an operational model , data capture methods , and development priorities and Taskforce members and association supporters have been presented the plans resulting in very positive feedback of support , with a few questions and constructive suggestions which are essential and encouraged .
If you ’ re not aware of the work to date , please visit www . oneindustryonevoice . co . uk and / or follow on social media channels as the plan develops to launch in the coming months .
Industry-wide support
So far it has received unprecedented support from all the main key associations , hundreds of leading businesses of all genres and sizes as well as industry leaders from across the seven main sectors . Some have rightly suggested it is “ very ambitious ” to unwind decades of institutionalism found in some corners , particularly those perhaps with an historic inward focus within this often disparate and fractured industry .
The status quo was ultimately exposed as the pandemic required clear , consistent , collaborative messaging from well organised industries that were most affected by the trading restrictions and associated lockdown measures . This had to start from within the industry , as to then provide the same professional and impactful messaging to key stakeholders in the outside world .
Many of the associations across the industry worked brilliantly and tirelessly representing and showcasing the impact on their own sectors , but there was no existing forum for them to align , work closer together , share plans and insights to further boost all their work – effectively leveraging the power of unity as other industries such as travel or hospitality have done for years .
This was not just my view . At its inception , Simon Hughes ( chair of the BVEP ) and I spent months asking thousands of businesses , associations and event professionals across the core sectors for their views ; 99 % responded with the same opinion and agreed on the need for something to change .
There was a consistent ask for an evolved collaboration to showcase the wide spectrum of businesses and expertise within the £ 84bn events industry , the world-leading diverse skills its 1.5m event professionals deploy and the broad range of experiences created , alongside the key contributions to society and the economy with credible quoted data .
This core ask is exactly why the challenge and hence the ambition is so big , relevant and important for
Charlotte Gentry , Former EVCOM Chair
“ I have been a part of the OIOV action council from the beginning and wholeheartedly endorse the project . Collaboration in our industry has been essential and OIOV has certainly brought the different areas of the wider sector together to discuss the state of the industry and the current market . The advancement of the initiative is exciting and will bring a huge level of information and resource into one place , which many will benefit from . As a business owner of an event and communications agency , I think it will be an invaluable tool .”
the future sustainability , reputation and understanding of the unrivalled ‘ Power of Events ’, for the benefit of all that work to create live experiences and the next generation looking for a career in events .
Over the past 18 months , a fast-developing informal structure of support has centred around the OIOV Taskforce and Action Groups consisting of associations including BVEP , LIVE , AEO , AEV , ESSA , MPI , HBAA , NTIA , WhataboutWeddings , AIF , PLASA , PSA and many others . Support has also come from the core industry media publications and shows , including International Confex , The Meetings Show and IMEX .
This has been operated on a voluntary basis with all supporters donating their time for free , working on a virtual basis with no centralised team or infrastructure – but now it needs to evolve to be fit for purpose for the future environment post pandemic and beyond .
The future is now . CN www . conference-news . co . uk