Event-library.com launches ‘TripAdvisor for the events sector’

Oxford-based Chris Bowling, an events coordinator with Global Water Intelligence, has launched what he claims will be the ‘TripAdvisor of the events sector’.
 
“Event organisers all face the same problem,” says Bowling. “You need to produce an event in a new city or country. You visit venues, caterers and production companies, all of which look good on the web, and all of which put on an impressive sales pitch. So which do you pick?
 
“Event-library.com aims to turn this situation on its head, by allowing you to read independent reviews by other event organisers of venues, caterers, production companies and suppliers, before you sign the contract. So you can make a more informed decision.
 
“Rather like TripAdvisor has brought transparency to the hotel and holiday industries, EventLibrary will do the same for events.”
 
The level of attention organisers are given by the sales team at a hotel can be different from the attention received after the contract is signed, claims Bowling, who adds that a sample tasting by a caterer is different from serving food to 500 people. “Most hotels and event suppliers tend to do a pretty good job in my experience, but I would certainly recommend some over others,” he adds.
 
“You hear horror stories of venues not being up to scratch. In my own experience, an awards dinner was almost ruined by a rock concert next door, when I had been told the venue was completely sound proofed. I set up event-library.com as a forum for event organisers to share this sort of information,” Bowling says and claims Event Library has been building its base of reviewers over the past few months, with organisers “seeing its potential to empower their sector, while rewarding the best suppliers in the business”.
 
“The website isn’t only there to flag up the bad apples,” says Bowling. “It’s also fantastic to have a place to praise a supplier or caterer who made your event special.”
 
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