Venue-finding for a new generation of virtual spaces
Robert Nisbet , founder of StreamingSpaces discusses the launch of his venuefinding service for digital event facilities
Congratulations on the launch of StreamingSpaces , a venue-finding database for virtual studios , hybrid event spaces and podcast studios . What kinds of venues have signed-up ?
I ’ m really excited that our ‘ early adopters ’ are all part of the new breed of crossover between events and broadcast ; those who have really made a huge effort to pivot over the pandemic and people whose vision matches ours – that virtual events are here to stay and are now a key part of the events landscape . When I began approaching potential customers I was really touched by the response . Everyone was really positive about the project and keen to join in .
Ben McCarthy at Premier Events – and now Premier Studios – in Leicester made a point of calling me to show his support and in his words , the SEO is worth the cost of membership alone .
Similarly , the stunning studios set up by Really Creative Media in Luton – RCM . Studio – shows the real quality of what is available within our industry . As an industry we currently exist slightly outside the broadcast world , but there are still hugely impressive facilities available .
We also have on-board The Oxfordshire Broadcast Barn , a 2,500sqft warehouse space near Wallingford , which has been doing a mix of virtual events , product demonstration videos and stills photography .
All these venues are places that have shown how versatile , resourceful and resilient the events world is , and all of them are also here to stay .
Tell us a bit of background on the project and any research to show the market demand ?
The market research was all firsthand , product led – when physical events all went away in 2020 my main business , Event Production Services ( EPS ), was quick to react and set up a studio space .
Fortunately , through word of mouth locally in Oxfordshire , we quickly picked up some new projects and clients . However , this was never going to be sustainable in the long term and after speaking to various other people in the same situation it became clear to me that some kind of rationalised system was the way forwards : a way for both professional venue finders and people looking to stage their first virtual event could find the spaces to do it – especially at a time when travel was limited .
I registered the StreamingSpaces domain back in July 2020 and spoke to my regular web developer , Joe Marsh , about the project . It then took a back seat while I had to focus on keeping EPS trading and looking after my employees . Then at the end of 2020 , Joe came back to me and announced he ’ d built the framework and we should start pushing forwards .
As well as the venuefinding database side , we also understand there ’ s a knowledge base offering as well . What can you tell us about that ?
As I ’ m sure you ’ ve noticed over the past year , the quality of virtual events being produced so far can be … hit and miss . I feel this is a combination of factors – for starters many suppliers , let alone end clients don ’ t really fully understand virtual events yet , and many have just pivoted from live events effectively into making TV .
Events professionals know their world inside out – but suddenly being thrust into broadcast involves learning new skills , techniques , basically a new language .
Another factor has been clients worried about working on ‘ the small screen ’ not having the impact of an in-person event , and so throwing every bit of tech , all the bells and whistles at the stream , and actually compromising quality content for visual impact .
Then finally , with so many events being created and streamed from people ’ s home , even with the best tech at your chosen virtual event supplier ’ s disposal , there is a limited amount anyone can do in ‘ post ’ to rectify poorly lit content or muffled audio .
So we ’ ve developed SkillShop , a resource for all members of StreamingSpaces , whether supplier or organiser , to be able to brush up on their skills .
We ’ ve teamed-up with Shutter Mountain Media , which is bringing us a series of ‘ basics ’ videos for contributors who need to provide content to an event from home but don ’ t have any technical knowledge and limited equipment .
You ’ ve said this is another tool to support the industry rather than create financial riches . What can you tell us about your three-year initial development road map to increase the value of the service ?
We ’ ve deliberately priced this so that businesses who have felt extreme financial pain over the past year can afford to join the community . We ’ ve committed to a threeyear roadmap to help our membership community understand they can trust us not to just be a flash in the pan .
We ’ re launching with our basic free listing , plus paid Bronze and Silver membership levels .