Funds & Grants

 

A volunteer steering committee with representation from multiple industry sectors oversees the Foundation and will engage individuals, corporations, other foundations and industry stakeholders in a truly transformational partnership. Funds will support EIF’s mission as well as provide resources for current and future needs of the industry.  

A thorough industry assessment identified several overarching needs. Based on the feedback, EIF will focus on funding elements consistent with its core goals and mission. These include:

  • Data that quantifies the value proposition of the industry for attendees, exhibitors, host communities and show-organizers, as well as data that identifies trends to enhance overall ROI
  • Strategies to communicate the value of the industry to marketing decision makers who will in turn drive greater attendance from both attendees and exhibitors
  • An industry standard model for measuring the economic impact on host cities
  • Workforce development for the industry
  • Strategies to engage younger audiences in attending exhibitions and events
  • Research on how to deliver greater marketing value through extending the life and reach of a show by using technology and viral marketing such as social networking

In support of its core goals, EIF will consider funding for programs such as:

  • Research on the value of face-to-face events vs. recognized alternative marketing mediums
  • Research on leveraging technology to increase show marketability and attendance
  • Update the relative cost to close a sale -- trade show lead vs. a sale without a trade show lead
  • Identify generational trends through research
  • Create reliable metrics to calculate economic impact of exhibitions and events on host cities
  • Develop more robust resources on the EIF Web sites
  • Update the CEM program and develop other targeted level education offering
  • Build relationships with academic institutions to increase awareness for industry careers
  • Develop strategies to leverage existing data for promotion of the industry
  • Research to provide data to public events currently only available for B2B trade shows