Taking your social impact to the next level

Explore solutions to the overtourism challenge in this insightful article by Holly Patrick. With expertise from #MEET4IMPACT’s Senior Impact Consultant and GDS-Movement Changemaker Jessica Vandy, and GDS-Movement CEO Guy Bigwood, the piece highlights how association meetings can adopt sustainable practices to alleviate pressure on local infrastructure. Discover strategies that benefit both residents and visitors, fostering positive, lasting impacts in host communities.

Conferli - The conference matchmaking platform’s latest podcast features our team member Beatriz Ibañez , Impact Specialist at #MEET4IMPACT!
In this episode, Beatriz and Bregje Frens - de Leeuw unpacks the critical difference between impact and legacy in the events industry, discussing:
- The concept of legacy washing
- Barriers to creating true, lasting impact
- Why focusing on long-term change is essential for meaningful progress

Ready to learn how to elevate your events beyond legacy?

The "Meetings With Meaning" report by Skift Meetings and IMEX challenges the event industry to rethink the role of business events. It explores how meetings can be transformed into platforms for measurable social impact, focusing on deeper outcomes like changing lives, advancing sustainability, and strengthening communities.

Key takeaways for us:
- Measuring Success Beyond Attendees: Shift the focus from attendance numbers to measuring the long-term social, environmental, and cultural impact of events.
- Prioritizing Stakeholder Collaboration: Engaging local communities and diverse partners from the start enhances innovation and amplifies the event’s overall impact.
- Elevating Engagement: Purposeful, immersive experiences that connect participants with causes and communities drive deeper engagement and lasting change.

We are honored that hashtag#MEET4IMPACT's Theory of Change is featured as one way to map out how to align your organisation's vision, activities and outcomes with creating positive long-term social impact.

Discover compelling insights in Holly Patrick's recent article about the growing trend of sustainable subventions provided by cities and CVBs. It's an enlightening read, featuring impactful examples from Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement)cities and a thought-provoking quote from Genevieve Leclerc, CMP, CICE:

"Convention bureaus can drive demand for 'sustainable' service providers by encouraging event organizers to adopt more socially and environmentally responsible procurement practices. They can also promote the use of public transportation at large-scale events, encourage innovative circularity models, and steer citizens and visitors towards carbon-neutral activities – ultimately, transforming event funding programs into powerful mechanisms for urban transition."

Uncover the latest in sustainability and ESG with ASAE's "Association's Starter Guide." In collaboration with Destination Canada Business Events and the American Geophysical Union, #MEET4IMPACT proudly contributes, offering insights for strategic alignment with sustainability. Immerse yourself in this toolkit, revealing key terms, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and practical examples tailored for associations. Download your copy for a comprehensive guide to kickstart and elevate your organization's sustainability journey.

Explore the highlights of the AES (Association Success, Sustainability, and Legacies) event with seasoned moderator Gary Grimmer, CICE (GainingEdge), celebrating his 20th engagement. Guided by the expertise of association and industry professionals Geneviève Leclerc, CMP (#MEET4IMPACT), and Deanna Varga, CICE (MayvinGlobal), participants delved into compelling discussions on key topics shaping the international meetings industry. Uncover insights, trends, and a featured EASL Case Study in this comprehensive recap.

Discover Geneviève Leclerc's insightful perspectives as she emphasizes the crucial integration of impact strategies into destination marketing, aligning with sustainability initiatives. Investigate the practices of professional societies and associations, exemplified by the International Liver Congress in London, to witness the strategic embrace of this approach. Uncover the dynamic interplay where impactful strategies harmonize with sustainability, reshaping the landscape of destination marketing in this illuminating recap.

Relive the 61st International Congress and Convention Association Congress in Kraków, Poland, where diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and legacy took center stage. Immerse yourself in video insights from five legacy sessions, featuring contributions from industry leaders like Geneviève Leclerc, CEO of #MEET4IMPACT, Gary Grimmer of GainingEdge, and Guy Bigwood of the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. Gemmeke De Jongh, International Association Expert at VisitFlanders Convention Bureau, provides a progress report on VisitFlanders’ Legacy Project. Maraika Geisterfer-Black, Advocacy Intern at EASL, shares impactful projects at the International Liver Congress. Explore the discussions and visionary perspectives that shaped this impactful congress.

An insightful podcast series hosted by Nicholas Hall founder of Digital Tourism Think Tank in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Business Events Week. The eight part series explores post pandemic trends in business travel! Genevieve is featured in conversation with Nick Hall in episode 6, discussing #MEET4IMPACT and a discussion on the changes through the meetings and events sector, highlighting the increased awareness about the need for sustainability in the industry and how this area is gaining importance through actions such as measuring the different impacts generated by events in destinations.

Step into the world of positive impact in the business event and tourism industry with Geneviève Leclerc, CEO of #MEET4IMPACT, on the Skift Meetings podcast. Geneviève discusses the BEimpactful framework and explores the eight Community Capitals, ranging from natural to social. Gain insights into intentional impact creation through the Theory of Change, discover the intricacies of measuring impact, and understand the crucial role of storytelling in conveying event impact qualitatively.