How to Participate in the Global Event Industry Resilience Study by UFI and Explori
March 24, 2020
If you’re an event organizer who has recently cancelled, postponed or gone virtual with your event, now’s the time to share how you’re doing with UFI and Explori. The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the live event research specialists, respectively, are inviting event planners to participate in an international research project that aims to understand the impact of this significant disruption on attendees and exhibitors. The study will also identify best practices for future resilience.
To participate in this project, reach out to research@ufi.org or bespoke@explori.com, or go here.
“We are certainly in the midst of trying times, but a point will come where both individual shows, and the industry as a whole, will want to reflect,” said Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI. “We will need to evaluate the actions taken, the wider impact and what we can learn for the future.”
He continued, “We will also need the right data to continue to advocate for our industry to receive the support it needs to bounce back. Now is the time to start collecting this data to contribute towards future resilience and to learn and grow.”
The study, the results of which are planned for release in early summer, will aim to identify the following:
- The resilience of face-to-face events
- The economic impact of business opportunities lost
- The unrecoverable costs to visitors and exhibitors
- The impact on brand equity of cancellation or postponement
- How effective virtual events are at meeting customer objectives
- Any direction as to how any impact can be mitigated in the future
According to Sophie Holt, global strategy director for Explori, the study will be kept open for as long as the current disruption persists, and there is no cost to participate in the research. Event organizers who participate will receive a report of their own results along with an industry-wide insight piece based on anonymized aggregated data within about three weeks of participation.
So far, most major international organizers are participating in the study, along with a wide range of smaller for-profit and not-for-profit organizers and associations, she added.
“The insight will also be shared with all stakeholders who advocate on behalf of our industry,” Holt explained. “As with all Explori research, this project will be conducted with the highest regard for data privacy and results treated with the strictest confidence.”
To participate in this project, reach out to research@ufi.org or bespoke@explori.com, or go here.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment