Experience UK, a not-for-profit trade association that represents British businesses involved in the creation and delivery of world-class visitor attractions and experiences, has revealed a significant refresh for its membership offering.
This has been developed to better reflect the contemporary experience economy and the evolving range of organisations that are shaping the industry.
New membership structure
First established in 2009 and strengthened through a merger with ALES UK in 2020, Experience UK has evolved into the country's leading trade body for businesses that create and deliver experiences within attractions, culture, leisure, placemaking, hospitality, immersive entertainment, retail, and live events.
Signifying a new era for the organisation, this relaunch presents a commercially focused membership structure with greater clarity and inclusion.
Experience UK collaborates with the UK Department for Business and Trade, its principal stakeholder, to champion the industry, foster growth, and cement the UK’s standing as an international leader in the experience economy.
The new structure is designed to offer clearer pathways for potential members, strengthen communities within membership groups, and nurture workforce development and future talent.
It includes four membership categories:
- Experience creators. For businesses that design, build, supply or deliver experiences and attractions
- Experience Operators. A membership type designed for organisations that own, manage or operate visitor destinations
- Place Shapers. For developers, landlords, investors and local authorities using experiences to drive footfall, value and placemaking
- Future Talent. This membership category assists students, graduates, freelancers and early-career professionals entering the industry.
'Clearer, more relevant and more valuable'
In addition to the relaunch, Experience UK is set to introduce a new programme of initiatives over the coming months. These will include webinars, roundtables, networking events, thought-leadership forums, regional stakeholder meetings, and international trade support activities.
Ian Clappison, chief executive officer at Experience UK, says: "Over recent months, our board and team have taken a fresh look at how we can better support the people and organisations driving today’s experience economy.
"The sector is broader, faster-moving and more interconnected than ever before spanning attractions, museums, leisure, placemaking, retail, hospitality, live events and immersive entertainment. Our aim is simple: to make membership clearer, more relevant and more valuable.
"We want Experience UK to be the network that helps members grow through opportunity, insight, influence and meaningful connections.
"The next chapter for Experience UK, and the sectors we represent, is incredibly exciting, and we want as many great people and organisations involved as possible."
Earlier this month, Experience UK revealed three new industry reports offering actionable insights ahead of the peak season. Focusing on attractions, museums, and LBE, the publications highlight key growth opportunities, market trends, and strategic considerations.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
