About Impact and Legacy
Meetings and events offer valuable opportunities for an organisation to achieve its visions and goals. A medical meeting, for instance, can spark research collaborations that lead to new treatments and better patient outcomes. Meetings provide a platform for forming opinions, enhancing the level of knowledge on the topic in question and contributing towards development and policymaking. Sports and cultural events can promote public health, inclusion, and equality by encouraging participation, strengthening sports associations, and fostering dialogue.
Meetings and events also enhance a city’s visibility, helping attract talent and investment. When strategically planned and supported by broad stakeholder collaboration, meetings and events can drive long-term societal change across multiple areas, as shown by the community capitals model.
The starting point for defining a desired outcome should be a challenge, a problem or a gap in our society. To maximise impact, it is essential to set clear goals, work systematically, and engage stakeholders throughout the process. This approach strengthens results and makes progress easier to track. Through strategic planning and a deep understanding of cause and effect, we aim to turn each event into an opportunity for positive societal change.
Glossary
Impact
The amount of change in an outcome attributed to an activity. This requires an estimation of how much change is contributed by others and/or would have happened anyway. Takes the viewpoint of the person or group of people who has benefitted from the outcome of an activity.
Legacy
Something significant that an organisation creates and leaves behind.
Societal impact
The societal effects generated for, for example, social progress (such as inclusion, health, equality), education and knowledge transfer, or economic benefits.
Output
The direct results of our activities. Typically reported in the quantity of activities, products, or services provided.
Outcome
Intended changes following an activity, that can be observed or evaluated.
Impact management
The systematic, practical work of understanding, planning, assessing, and measuring the effects of activities on broad sustainability issues. It is possible to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes of their activity. For events, the term is used to refer to managing impact goals and outcomes, while meeting business objectives.
