News

April 2nd 2025

Insights from the BestCities-ICCA Community Cafe-Spotlight on Success: Tips to Craft a Winning Entry for Incredible Impacts

A promotional graphic for the Incredible Impacts Programme event, with paper airplanes and event details, organized by ICCA and BestCities for April 1, 2025.On 1 April 2025, BestCities Global Alliance and ICCA hosted two insightful sessions to unpack the dynamics of creating lasting impacts through international conferences and celebrating these through the Incredible Impacts Programme.

Introduction

This article captures key takeaways from the collaborative discussions, where industry leaders shared their experiences and offered valuable guidance for prospective applicants of the Incredible Impacts Programme.

Led by Loren Christie, Managing Director, Nigel Brown, Director of Marketing & Partnerships at BestCities Global Alliance, alongside Dermot Ryan, Head of Association Engagement at ICCA, the sessions brought together previous winners to reflect on their journeys.  Gayle McGuinn of the Edinburgh International Conference Center for the International Papillomavirus Society, Elegast Monbaliu from the European Academy of Childhood Onset Disabilities and Anouk Bürgisser-Marti of the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society, shared their experiences, provide tips for crafting compelling award entries, and demonstrate the significance of intentional impact through examples from their successful projects. Participants learnt about the programme’s application process, essential takeaways for potential applicants, and stories of impactful initiatives.

Recording

Inspiring Stories from Past Winners

Anouk Bürgisser-Marti from the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society-ICRS, shared her success after winning the 2024 Seed Fund Grant. She highlighted the importance of targeting underrepresented regions to attend educational events, underlining the power of extending reach and fostering inclusion in medical education.

Ignacio Deregibus, Executive Director at the International Water Resources Association-IWRA, 2022 Winner, spoke passionately about bridging the gap between science, policy, and practical applications. The World Water Congress has amplified young voices on global water challenges, emphasizing the importance of nurturing future leaders.

On the 2023 Seed Fund Grant front, Gayle McGuinn from the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) discussed her collaboration with the International Papillomavirus Society-IPVS. The focus on vaccination awareness among socioeconomically challenged populations underscored the crucial intersection of health initiatives and conference planning.

Elegast Monbaliu, representing the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability-EACD and 2024 Winner, provided insight into their authentic impact-driven initiatives. His emphasis on starting “from the heart” to create genuine change was both moving and motivating.

Key Takeaways

1. Intentionality and Authenticity: The core takeaway was the emphasis on intentional impact and authenticity. All speakers echoed the need for alignment with broader organizational missions and the creation of meaningful legacies.

2. Collaboration is Crucial: Initiatives that demonstrated strong partnerships across sectors and regions stood out. Sharing responsibilities among local hosts, associations, and venues was a common thread in successful applications.

3. Measurable Outcomes: Demonstrating tangible outcomes through qualitative and quantitative data is vital. Impact should not only be envisioned but also systematically tracked and documented.

4. The Power of Storytelling: Crafting a compelling narrative is essential to engage judges and stakeholders alike. Winners highlighted the importance of making applications memorable through impactful storytelling.

5. Practical Tips for Applicants: Utilise all available resources, including AI, for drafting submissions. Ensure entries are precise, data-driven, and meet deadlines to optimize chances of success.

Conclusion

The sessions emphasised that creating impactful conferences requires dedication, strategic planning, and a heartfelt commitment to positive change. As you consider applying for the Incredible Impacts Programme, remember the insights shared by these seasoned experts. Whether your project is in its early stages or a legacy initiative, embracing these best practices will set you on a path towards not only winning grants but also leaving a meaningful mark on the communities and sectors you engage with.

More Information on the Incredible Impacts Programme

Visit the Incredible Impacts Programme website to find more information on submission criteria, deadlines, case studies from past winners and apply online for the programme here: https://www.incredibleimpacts.com/

For any further questions please contact Dermot Ryan at ICCA or Nigel Brown, CICS at BestCities Global Alliance.

(This article was created with the assistance of AI tool Descript)