There has been a clear need to provide a cross-industry picture across insights and trends within the live events industry. Striving to provide multiple data points is The Power of Events. The collective’s approach and research, now catalogued in a new app – Event Industry Insight – will enable comprehensive input from all sectors by providing scale, representation, and a dynamic user experience. The app also facilitates customised target contributors and stands as an open results publication, featuring academic expertise from leading universities for data analysis as a tool available for the industry partners to support research requirements. Rick Stainton, one of the founders of The Power of Events, walked through some of the goals of the app.
How can I access the app?
“The app is available now to download and register for free from app stores, it will have an update in mid-November to be ready for posting notifications for live research projects.”
Which markets are you and the wider team drawing inspiration from?
“We sought advice from a number of app developers who have worked with other markets regarding the user experience, but as the events industry is unique with its event professionals’ breadth, operational market, seven core sectors and related data focus, we wanted to build on the trust and support the platform has already generated. The app is an extension of that in tone, look, user experience and efficient engagement/output – The Power of Events Taskforce and Research Action group all contributed and offered feedback as the wireframe and development progressed.”
What are some of the key pieces of research are you hoping to undertake with this app?
“Several insight projects are already in the mix, including a project with Leeds Beckett University on employment resilience and others. Another is focussed on underrepresented backgrounds and accessibility into the event industry as a career and another on procurement evolvement and inclusivity of the supply chain. We are asking the industry to suggest potential projects we can support throughout the launch tour so there are likely to be more in the pipeline very soon.”
Is the goal of the platform to produce reports from the research?
“Some results could be published immediately on the app and updated live as each respondent submits their answers. Other longer-term and more deep dive projects will likely work alongside some of our University partners to assess, collate and interpret the data into trend and insight analysis, to then produce infographic and more detailed reports as required, these will then be published for the industry to benefit from as appropriate.”
What are some of the main goals of The Power of Events’ upcoming roadshow?
“The Power of Events is about engaging with the whole industry and its stakeholders so what better way than to go out to all the sectors, in person, across all four nations at over 20 different industry events in six weeks and meet thousands of them. We really want to listen to them, showcase the work on the platform and the new insight app, as well as profiling the new Careers Hub section going onto the platform in November and the Schools Engagement programme starting in December, with an East of England regional pilot as a start. The team will be offering opportunities to get involved in and help shape all these projects, as well as asking for suggestions for new ones into 2024 and beyond.”
