Press Release: Soundings Releases Groundbreaking Study on Freelancers in Business Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2024
San Diego, CA – With the mission of revolutionizing the way companies work with talent, Soundings, a leader in freelance talent placement, proudly announces the publication of its latest white paper, "Agile Talent Strategies: Leveraging the Expertise of Freelancers in the Business Events Industry." This comprehensive study, conducted in partnership with Temple University, sheds light on the evolving role of freelancers in the events industry and offers actionable insights for companies looking to leverage this dynamic workforce.
Key Findings:
The white paper reveals that a record number of business event professionals are now working full-time as freelancers. According to Upwork, the freelance trend has increased significantly since COVID-19, with 36% of the workforce across all industries engaging in freelance work last year, a 22% increase since 2019.
The Soundings study, based on responses from 238 freelance workers, highlights the motivations, demographics, and work values of freelancers in the events sector. Key statistics include:
Female Representation: 84% of respondents are female, with 36% identifying as active caretakers of family members.
Education: 97% hold a college degree, with 60% having a bachelor's degree and 37% holding a master's degree.
Primary Income: 73% of freelancers consider freelance work their primary source of income, with household incomes between $100,000 and $199,000.
Work-Life Balance: Many freelancers choose this path to achieve a healthier work-life balance, seeking more sustainable work environments compared to traditional roles.
The white paper offers companies a comprehensive look at all the best practices and detailed insights on how to successfully integrate freelance talent into their organizations.
"We are excited to share the results of this study, which highlights the significant contributions of freelance talent to the business events industry," said Tracy Judge, CEO of Soundings. "Our findings demonstrate that integrating freelancers effectively through agile talent strategies not only meets the evolving needs of businesses but also provides freelancers with the autonomy and flexibility they value, and helps retain talent in the industry."
CEMA Summit Presentation:
Soundings will unveil the findings of this study at the Corporate Event Marketing Association's CEMA Summit during the session “Navigating the Shift: From Corporate to Freelance” on Monday, Aug. 5th featuring an expert panel with Erika Brunke, Stacey Kashubeck, Michele Schneider on Monday, August 5, from 3-3:40 p.m. PDT. For more information on the summit, visit the CEMA Summit 2024 website.
Said Judge: "Event marketing has the highest concentration of freelancers, largely due to the tech industry's representation, offering significant opportunities for business event professionals to find compelling freelance work."
ABOUT SOUNDINGS
Soundings is a leading talent platform that connects organizations with top freelance and full-time professionals specializing in business events. With more than 2,900 members in its global talent community, Soundings offers extensive career development opportunities, enhancing skills and fostering industry leadership. Known for its innovation and thought leadership, Soundings collaborates with businesses to develop agile talent strategies that maximize profitability, enhance service offerings, and improve talent retention. As a certified Women-Owned Small Business, Soundings is dedicated to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly in female-dominated industries.
For more information and to download the full white paper, visit the Soundings website.
PRESS CONTACT:
Matt Swenson
matt.swenson@soundingsconnect.com
240-472-5347