An event or meeting is not over, just because the implementation is over. The afterward impact can last for a long time. Ten Swedish destinations/convention bureaus are coming together in a joint effort to develop the positive effects of meetings and events. In English terms – legacy.

The cities that are investing into the strategic work with legacy are Gothenburg, Stockholm, Norrköping/Linköping, Malmö, Helsingborg, Borås, Umeå, Kalmar, Halmstad and Lund. Through specialised training, the destinations will delve into the subject together. Behind the training is the international organiser GDS-movement, which is a globally recognised actor when it comes to sustainability.

“A destination that can drive a strategic process to develop long-term effects together with rights owners gains a competitive advantage when soliciting meetings and events,” says Henrik Svensson, project manager at Göteborg & Co, and continues “At the same time, we contribute to a unique social benefit if we can develop strategies in this area”.

Since a few years back the event and meeting industry, both nationally and internationally, have understood the importance of working with long-term effects. Destinations have thus begun to work strategically with this as part of their sustainability strategies. The Swedish Football Association, the Swedish handball association, and major medical associations have come a long way in their strategic plan. Now several Swedish convention bureaus and destinations are choosing to take a big step towards the meetings and events of the future.

How did it start in Sweden? The Swedish Sports Confederation and the Tourism Industry Research and Development fund (BFUF) realised early on that long-term effects are an essential dimension of events’ ongoing sustainability impact. At the same time, it is possible to create uniqueness for Sweden and individual destinations when recruiting and carrying out events.

In Gothenburg, they have worked for a long time in creating positive effect through meetings and events, thus developing a model called the Gothenburg Way to Legacy. Since April, Göteborg & Co have allocated a full-time resource to drive and gear up the strategic work with legacy. To ensure that an event or meeting has a positive effect.

What does it mean to work strategically with long-term effects – legacy? Read more here:

• Meetings with long-term, positive effects
• Event Legacy – Legacy for sporting events (Swedish only)
• Impact strategy and Measurement Masterclass

For questions, contact Henrik Svensson, project manager Gothenburg Way to Legacy,
henrik.svensson@goteborg.com, Phone: +46 704-41 67 64