Online forum and resource hub connects professional engineers and hobbyists with expertise, new products, news, competitions, fun activities, and sense of community
The element14 Community, an online network that connects engineers, manufacturers, inventors, and other innovators in the maker movement, now counts over 500,000 members. The oldest network of its kind in the electronics industry, the community launched in 2009 as a way for electronics distributor element14 to engage more directly with its customers. The community quickly evolved with the creation of new programs and content to better serve the changing needs and interests of its membership of electronics innovators.
Overall participation in the element14 Community has grown on average 20 percent year over year, with membership growth as high as 50 percent in some years, according to Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media at Premier Farnell.
“What sets the element14 Community apart from other online content sites in our industry is the dynamic level of member participation,” said Kibbey. “The element14 Community offers a supplier-agnostic site where engineers and makers can get honest answers and opinions from other engineers and hobbyists across the globe.”
The element14 Community draws its half-million members from around the world. By region, 42 percent are from Europe, 37 percent are from North America, and 21 percent are from Asia and the Pacific region. Eighty percent of the community has an engineering or maker background.
Community provides expertise, and an engaging spirit of discovery
The element14 Community offers its members a number of important benefits. It provides an unbiased online forum where over half a million engineers and makers can find 24/7 support by connecting, collaborating, and seeking advice as they face tough project challenges. Members also have access to the Design Center, a comprehensive resource that brings together the latest development tools, technical information from suppliers, community discussions, webinars, and live chats with the element14 support team. “Our members truly engage with each other on a daily basis across a large set of forums and activities, and this is the core differentiator of our community,” said Kibbey.
Looking toward the future, the element14 Community will continue to offer new features to address the interests of its growing membership, such as monthly project competitions and new forums focused on the needs of startups. The community will also continue to gather and publish the information contributed by members on the forum.
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