UBM Live – the event specialist behind Leisure Industry Week (LIW) – has teamed up with ukactive to conduct the leisure industry’s “biggest piece of independent research,” exploring how the 25-year-old event can be developed to meet suppliers’ and operators’ changing needs.

A survey – undertaken by Redshift Research – has been sent out to more than 40,000 industry professionals (including all ukactive members and the entire LIW database of exhibitors and visitors) asking for their feedback on a comprehensive range of factors. The survey seeks opinions on everything from the current title, location, duration and attendee priorities – right through to thoughts on potential additions such as “speed-dating” network sessions and an awards dinner.

LIW event director James Samuel said the event had maintained its position as “the UK’s leading leisure exhibition” by taking on board feedback and would continue to do so as it bids to improve each year.

Some suppliers had expressed a desire for change from the current format when speaking to Leisure Opportunities, however, others seem encouraged by the refinement process being undertaken by LIW and ukactive.

“As a key supplier to the health & fitness industry, we are pleased to have been part of the initial research discussions with ukactive and UBM about the future of LIW,” said Liz Chessum, UK marketing manager of Life Fitness. “The show is an important date within the industry calendar where suppliers are able to showcase and educate the market on new innovations. We look forward to seeing how LIW evolves as a result of the market research.”

ukactive CEO David Stalker revealed the plan is to swiftly collate responses to the survey, with a view to sharing the results at his organisation’s FLAME Conference on 2 July. The feedback will then be utilised to create “the perfect event” for LIW 2015.

Samuel added: “Our aim is always to maximise the return on investment for exhibitors in terms of sales generation and to create an enjoyable, educational and worthwhile experience for visitors.”

The anonymous survey is open until the beginning of June and can be completed by clicking here.