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From memorised process to Custom GPT The process finally crystalised into a straightforward and repeatable 10- step framework: An event overview, analysis of historical performance signals, a competitive comparison table, sector evaluation, a review of the industry calendar, content and positioning insights, a SWOT analysis, a brief glance at the tech stack, a clear set of strategic growth options and a summary. There is nothing overly complicated here, just the right questions, posed in the correct order, answered using insights one could reasonably collect from publicly available information.
There was a moment when I realised the prompt had outgrown my own AI instance. I was copying the same logic into multiple chats, sharing fragments and maintaining multiple versions. That’ s when I wrapped it into a Custom GPT, a single, maintained version of the workflow that anyone could run on their own instances, with the structure and instructions already baked in.
Turning it into a Custom GPT did three things:
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1. Consistency at scale. The same process every time, regardless of who presses‘ go’.
2. Speed with transparency. Minutes to a usable draft, with clear assumptions and a predictable output.
3. Privacy by design. It runs in the user’ s own ChatGPT instance, so neither I nor anyone else sees how it’ s used.
Why is it open access? And what it’ s good for( and what it isn’ t) I originally kept it private as a working tool for my retained clients. However, the more I used it, the more convinced I became that the industry would benefit from a free tool for assessing events‘ outside-in’. For my consulting work, the value does not lie in the analysis the bot provides, but in my 20 years of experience in knowing what to do with it.
So I opened it up. Since then, it has been used in over 400 events worldwide and continues to grow daily. It provides the early stages of my thinking process for free to everyone.
The Event Strategy Bot excels at the first mile: orienting quickly,
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Above: Dr Barış Onay
“ It’ s not there to replace actual strategic judgment. It’ s there to accelerate it, reduce variance”
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establishing a comparable baseline, and generating a clear hypothesis for where value lies. It’ s ideal for:
• M & A screening: A quick Yes / No on depth-dive readiness
• Competitive benchmarking: Who leads, how they position, and where gaps exist
• Launch and repositioning sprints: Fast framing of audience, proposition, and sector priorities
• Commercial planning: turning sector signals into‘ where to play / how to win’.
What it won’ t do is replace primary research, financial modelling, or the meaningful conversations and collaborations that drive innovation and keep our industry thriving. These elements remain essential for understanding the complexities of the market and building strong, lasting relationships.
Why share it now? Today, capital is more selective. Audiences are more discerning. Organisers are being asked to do more with less. A common, transparent approach to gaining a credible first view on events helps everyone move faster: investors, organisers, partners, and, ultimately, the communities we serve.
The Event Strategy Bot didn’ t originally start as a product. It began as a way to avoid repeating myself and to focus my time, as well as that of my clients, on decisions that add value. If it helps you do the same, then it’ s fulfilling its purpose.
Feel free to use it at this link and provide your feedback. I’ d love to hear your thoughts. Dr Barış Onay EW
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52 Issue 5 2025 |
www. exhibitionworld. co. uk |