For many organizations, having freelancers meet talent is a lifesaver. From staffing the registration desk, negotiating with event volunteers, moderating social media, and managing the entire on-site experience, freelancers are often the personnel who keep conferences and other business events running smoothly.
If you’re a freelancer or work in a conference team that relies on freelancers’ human resources and expertise, ongoing academic research explores the independent workforce persona in business events, marketing, and hospitality. We’re looking for your input to help us understand better. .
Eschewing the benefit of a regular paycheck and working on events independently may be due to a need for flexibility and stress relief, a desire for variety in work assignments, a desire to have more control over assignments and employment organization, or It may be motivated by completely different reasons. .
The goal of this new study, a partnership between Temple University and freelance recruiting platform Soundings, is to uncover these factors. In a session at IMEX America, Tracy Judge, founder and CEO of Soundings, summarized the research mission: It’s a talented group. ”
A research team led by Lindsey Lee, an assistant professor in Temple University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, conducted a small pilot study this summer that will inform a larger study that began in late October and will continue through December 8th. Visit here to take part in the survey, and employers can also use the same link to register their interest in the research roundtable discussion.
The survey asks freelancers about their skill level and experience, their reasons for freelancing, their personal priorities, and motivations such as autonomy and career development. The study will also report on how organizations can adapt to a freelance workforce. “How do you manage your freelance talent? How do you handle inclusivity in your organization so that your freelancers feel like part of the team?” the judge asked. .
Lee, a professor at Temple University, is working on the study with three other scholars. Ceridwyn King, Purdue University White Lodging JW Marriott Hospitality and Tourism Management Professor and Dean; Heyao (Chandler) Yu, Assistant Professor, Department of Hospitality Management, Pennsylvania State University. Sandra Ponting, associate professor at San Diego State University’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality;
The results of the survey are expected to be announced in January 2024.
“Understanding the motivations and values of freelance talent is critical to solving the big challenges facing the business events industry, including talent shortages and skills gaps, recruitment and retention challenges, and agility and business continuity. step,” the judge said. “We are charting a roadmap for companies to harness the power of flexible talent to achieve greater growth and innovation.”