Leading global industry trade association International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has become the latest organization to give its full support to VSef (Virtual Standard Export Format), including the RSDE (Reporting Standards for Digital Events) standards, citing  the continued value and importance of digital events within the world’s expositions and meetings industry.

VSef was launched by event insights platform Explori in early 2021 as a response to the rising uptake of digital event platforms and the increase in virtual event experiences. Its goal was creating a global standardized data structure and output format for digital events, which is now supported by leading event organizations, event technology platforms and strategic event associations.  

Simultaneously, global assurance provider BPA Worldwide identified the lack of standardized data in the digital events sector and launched the Reporting Standards for Digital Events (RSDE) initiative with the support of industry leaders. In September, BPA acquired VSef from Explori. The acquisition resulted in a collaboration that has created a single, globally recognized industry data and reporting standard for digital events.  

“During the COVID-19 pandemic when organizations turned to producing virtual events, it quickly became evident there was an urgent need for a standardized data format for digital event platforms,” noted David DuBois, president and CEO of IAEE. “IAEE, along with many other industry organizations, were involved in creating BPA’s Reporting Standards for Digital Events.”

IAEE is pleased to fully support VSef and the Reporting Standards for Digital Events, according to DuBois.  

“With the acquisition of VSef by BPA, there is now one industry organization acting as the steward of the great work of both BPA and VSef,” he said.

Richard Murphy, president and CEO of BPA Worldwide, added that his company is thrilled to receive IAEE support of VSef/RSDE.

“Digital platforms play a critical role in the events and meetings industry, and the ability to gather, process and share data efficiently—using a single data standard and reporting format—is essential for continued industry growth.” 

VSef is backed by many leading organizers and platforms, including Clarion Events, Emerald Expositions, Informa Markets, Reed Exhibitions and Tarsus Group, and supported by the event industry’s leading strategic partners, including the Events Industry Council (EIC), The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). 

To find out more about VSef/RSDE, go here.

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