It will be used to promote closer collaboration , as well as supporting trade associations by signposting to their sector specific organisations , resources , and content . It will concurrently support better engagement with wider communities and key stakeholders outside the core industry , including educating next generation talent and encouraging inbound investment from a more robust understanding of the value of events .
This multi-platform approach also allows industryled input of data from the app users into the multiple research focus areas . These can be standalone analysis projects or supporting existing association / industry bodies ’ research as a complementary resource .
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 follow the 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 a 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
“ One of the enduring challenges for our partners from the exhibition world remains the often-competing demands of multiple stakeholders , all with different objectives , evaluation criteria and ROI models . “ Helping to produce reliable data sets that support the UK ’ s world class exhibition sector and demonstrate both societal and economic impacts will be of real value as we re-set for a post pandemic revival .” Simon Hughes , chair , BVEP
the impact on their own sectors , but there was no existing forum for them to align , work closer together , share plans and insights so as 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 1.5mn event professionals deploy and the broad range of experiences created , alongside the key contributions to society and the economy with credible and consistently quoted data .
This core ask is exactly why the challenge and hence the ambition is so big , relevant and important for 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 last 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 , as well as many industry leaders from outdoor events , live music , corporate and experiential agencies , organisers , suppliers , and venues across the entire UK .
This has been operated on a purely 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 . EN
February — 53