Online meetings platforms are prolific in the business travel start-up arena and others have featured in this Q&A series. This time we speak to David Lovett-Hume, founder and CEO of Asemblr who has received advice from the corporate market and already agreed some partnerships.
When were you launched?
Asemblr was first conceived in early 2016. After extensive market research and feedback from a panel of executive PAs and industry thought leaders I identified an opportunity to disrupt the industry and turn event management on its head, launching the first version in early 2017.
How many people are working for the company?
Aside from myself there is a lean, extremely talented workforce of five employees and two supportive investors who are the chairman of Mastercard and Fuel Ventures. These are alongside three industry expert advisors: Mark Pearson of My Voucher Codes, Martin Warner of Carlson Wagonlit and Nadav Gur of World Mate and one behemoth corporate, Travelport.
Sum up what your company/product does in one sentence
Asemblr is the world's first aggregated marketplace for corporate event management professionals to research, manage and execute events and conferences in real-time, in one place, from start to finish.
Why is it unique?
To date there is no other marketplace that aggregates venues and every type of event supplier into an easy to use platform which offers a complete planning and management solution when organising a corporate event or conference. Event organisers for the first time ever can plan multiple vents simultaneously, research all components of an event in one place, contract various suppliers instantly and have agreed quotes appear in their budget tracker automatically. What's more there is the Asemblr Guarantee - an insured guarantee on every event investment made which instils trust and commitment to users.
What problem does it solve?
More than 80% of all meeting, conferences and events are still booked offline. In this on-demand world, we can offer event planners a quicker, easier and more time effective way to research plan, book and manage events online.
- It saves users time and resource, saving thousands in event spend
- It breaks down communication barriers by connecting event suppliers with the end users directly
- The intuitive planning tool provides a budget tracker, collaboration area (allows colleagues and stakeholders visibility), an event area where users can shortlist suppliers and quotes, and a communication platform which allows supplier and end user to communicate
What platforms is it available on/can integrate with?
We are a cloud based platform that was built "mobile first" which means it can be used on any device and our UX is just as intuitive on a mobile phone as it is a desktop.
It is available as a white label and has an API for seamless integration with any platform. The first integration will take place with Global ATPI where Asemblr will be integrated into their travel management platform in order offer their customers a rounded online experience when booking travel and events.
What markets is it available in?
At the moment we are available in the UK and Ireland however we will be adding a major European city every three weeks for the rest of 2018
Which companies are using it already?
Existing customers include Travelport, Egencia, and ATPI.
What do travel managers like about it?
For the first time ever travel managers are able to have an integrated solution when booking events and travel to those events giving them a level of budgetary control and transparency that they have not had previously.
Why do travellers like it?
Anyone can use the system, it doesn't have to be a travel manager or a TMC, so an employee who needs to arrange a last-minute off-site meeting or a team event can use the platform. Even the most inexperienced event organiser will be walked through the process with our automation tools and will organise a successful meeting or event like a 20-year veteran.
What are your growth plans?
We are currently UK based with our head office in London but global domination is part of our game plan and we are looking to launch in Europe in the next three months, and expand to the US and China over the next 18 months.