In the wake of the pandemic’s transformative impact, the UK events industry found itself at a crossroads. Rick Stainton, founder of The Power of Events, recognised a critical need: a unified platform to showcase the industry’s true value and potential.
Launched in February 2023, The Power of Events emerged as a groundbreaking not-for-profit initiative designed to redefine how the events sector is perceived. With over 350 supporters and 200 partners, the organisation has become a comprehensive map of the UK events ecosystem, spanning seven core sectors across the four nations.
A Response to Industry Fragmentation
The pandemic exposed significant fractures within the events community. Trade associations worked tirelessly, but there was no single destination to understand the industry’s full scope and societal impact. Stainton’s vision was clear: create an impartial, inclusive platform that could represent the entire events landscape.
“It had to be supported and designed by the industry, for the industry,” Stainton explains. The organisation’s approach has been deliberately collaborative, inviting organisations of all sizes to contribute and participate.
Tangible Impact and Achievements
The Power of Events has already made significant strides. Its Schools Engagement Programme launched in 2024 has been particularly noteworthy, already reaching over 20,000 young people across 100 school engagements and forecasting to engage a further 50,000+ across over 200 school visits in 2025 as more regions launch. The programme’s interactive presentations have dramatically transformed students’ perceptions, with awareness of career opportunities jumping from 1% to 65%.
The Events Industry Insight app has also become a crucial tool, supporting research for universities, industry events, and professional associations. This innovative approach demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to driving understanding and growth.
Looking to the Future
The vision for the next few years is ambitious yet focused. By 2028, the Schools Engagement Programme aims to reach one million young people. The organisation remains committed to its core values of impartiality, credibility, and transparency and will attend over 40 industry events in 2025 so as to maintain its active engagement with the industry across all sectors.
“Everything has to be designed by the industry for the benefit of the whole industry,” Stainton emphasises. This philosophy has been key to building trust and creating meaningful change.
A Call to Action
Stainton’s message to the industry is simple: Support, Share, Suggest. Whether through advocacy, networking, or proposing new initiatives, every industry professional has a role to play in driving collective progress.
With an Advisory Board representing all sectors and nations, The Power of Events is well-positioned to continue its transformative work. By breaking down silos and creating unprecedented collaboration, the organisation is not just mapping the events industry – it’s actively shaping its future.
For more information, visit The Power of Events platform and join the movement to elevate the UK events sector.
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Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
