BestCities and the Impact of Business Events
10 cities are part of the GDS
4 cities are part of recognised sustainability initiatives
4 cities are part of other recognized sustainability initiatives
6 cities offer financial incentives for sustainable events
13 cities have a resource dedicated to sustainable events
13 cities offer sustainability guides
Sourcing a Sustainable Event
Wondering what questions you should be asking a destination when organizing an event? We’ve got you covered.
Download the checklist here“We harness the power of collaboration and community to create positive impact through business events.”
Our approach centres on three main pillars that enable our partners and clients to develop sustainable experiences with enduring global impact:
The Incredible Impacts Programme celebrates the “beyond tourism” value of international association meetings through a global platform that champions their positive societal contributions.
Each year, a panel of independent judges evaluates and selects meetings demonstrating measurable impact to receive the Incredible Impacts grant of USD $20,000 and the Incredible Impacts Seed Fund Grant of USD $5,000.
The BestCities Madrid Challenge is a movement of destinations and associations committed to transitioning the meetings and events industry towards a more sustainable model.
Collectively, these organisations have pledged to deliver a value beyond tourism through their events, seeking to raise industry standards by embedding impact and sustainability as fundamental components of organisational and event strategies.
Our team is committed to building a sustainable future for BestCities Global Alliance, our partner destinations, and our clients.
That’s why we drafted the BestCities Commitments to a Sustainable Future – our promise to support and guide associations and destinations toward sustainable meetings that leave a lasting legacy in host communities and beyond.
BestCities Case Studies: Unlocking the Long-Term Impact of Business Events
The BestCities Impact Case Studies Collection examines how international congresses create meaningful, lasting impact beyond successful event execution. Through eight diverse examples, the collection shows how organisers increasingly prioritise legacy planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability to drive industry and community change.
Together, these case studies demonstrate how intentional planning – from policy influence and knowledge exchange to inclusivity and evaluation – transforms business events into catalysts for change. Examples include the World Down Syndrome Congress, which ensures people with Down syndrome are at the heart of their events, and Velo-city Congress, which shapes cycling policy through collaboration.
Explore the case studies below to gain practical insights for designing events that make a difference.
Featured Case Studies:
- Global DIY Summit
- World Down Syndrome Congress
- European Respiratory Society International Congress
- Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Learn Around Program
- 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems
- Velo-city Congress
- World Parkinson Coalition
- ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society Annual Scientific Meeting
Download the BestCities Case Studies Summary to explore key insights and practical strategies from eight impactful congresses. This summary highlights common learnings, best practices, and real-world examples of how business events can drive long-term change in industries and communities.
