Delegates committed to building legacy at 2022 BestCities Global Forum

In December 2022, BestCities Global Alliance welcomed industry thought-leaders, international associations, and partner destinations to Vancouver, Canada for the 2022 BestCities Global Forum. During the three-day event, attendees pledged to prioritise legacy in future bid strategies, raised money for a local non-profit, and learned how to measure the impact of business events on destinations and associations. The Global Forum highlighted the impact that small and local businesses can have on tourism, by featuring a presentation of the Conference Legacy Impact Study conducted by Destination Vancouver and Capilano University’s Centre for Tourism Research. The study found that delegates who visit local businesses are more likely to find value in their conference and return to the host destination as tourists. Michael Drake, director of sales, meetings and conventions, Canada and International at Destination Vancouver, said: “With more than half of the [conference] outcomes identified as non-economic, partnering with the destination will improve the desired outcomes for all stakeholders involved.” Another milestone at the Global Forum was achieving 12 participant sign-ups for the BestCities Madrid Challenge. Launched in 2021, the initiative identifies ways to support associations and destinations as they centre impact and sustainability in conference and event planning. “The impact that meetings have on local communities in a host destination is invaluable, spanning knowledge exchange, talent acquisition, inclusion, academic research, and new business opportunities,” said Lesley Williams, managing director of BestCities Global Alliance. Activities According to the event organisers, partners and associations contributed to positive change by participating in ‘Engage for Good’: a Forum activity that raised funds for ocean conservation non-profit Ocean Wise Seafood. Throughout their time in Vancouver, delegates earned points for conference activities such as taking public transport and engaging with the attendee app. A final count at the close of the conference showed that delegates had earned points equivalent to CAD $2,500, all of which was donated to Ocean Wise Seafood. The Global Forum’s post-event survey showed that attendees understood the lasting value of the annual event, with 100% of respondents would recommend the Global Forum to other international associations. The next edition of the Global Forum will take place from 18-21 January 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.