Connecticut-based global assurance provider BPA Worldwide has announced Versions 2.0 of the VSef (Virtual Standard Export Format) Standards Guide and VSef API Standards Guide are now available for organisations to download, review and implement.
The company says the products are a response to the event industry’s need for a standardised data structure and communications protocol for digital, in-person, and hybrid events,
VSef is a data file reporting format designed to streamline the collection and exchange of data within the events industry by establishing standard data structures and common naming conventions across event technology platforms. BPA has oversight of the VSef Standards and certifies organisations’ compliance with the guidelines.
Once the VSef standards have been successfully implemented and validated, participating platforms receive the VSef Compliance seal that can be used in sales and marketing materials, as well as a listing on the VSef website.
“The consistency that the VSef Standards provide will allow for efficient data acquisition, aggregation, processing, sharing and reporting within companies and across the industry,” said BPA president and CEO Richard Murphy (pictured). “VSef establishes the standards for a range of key event metrics and engagement KPIs and how those data points should be formatted for easy transfer between systems.”
VSef data is made up of three core data types:
- Metadata: Aggregate data about the event
- Individual Participant Data: Data about the event experience of individual participants of all types including (but not limited to): delegates, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and any other individual users present at the event
- Individual Company Data: Collective data about the experience of sponsors and exhibitors in relation to the event (sponsor is used to refer to both sponsoring and exhibiting companies).
In addition, the VSef API Standard provides requirements, formatting specifications, naming conventions, and a template outline for event platforms to create VSef-compliant API endpoints, as well as setting rules on how to implement these endpoints. The VSef API Standards Guide is designed to ensure efficient and consistent data access and sharing across all VSef-compliant virtual event platforms.
