Final call for entries to Incredible Impacts Grants Programme

BestCities and ICCA have issued a call out for final entries to their Incredible Impacts Grants Programme 2018. The programme, now in its second year, is designed to celebrate international associations that make lasting impacts to their meeting destinations. The 2018 submissions will be in with a chance to secure US $7,500 towards creating a legacy with future events. The programme is open to entries featuring innovative legacy examples before the deadline of 1 August. Legacy has become an intregal part of event planning within the meetings world and is the foundation for the programme being developed by BestCities Global Alliance and ICCA since 2017. Submissions will be judged by a jury which will determine which three associations will be awarded grants, with winners set to be announced at the ICCA Congress in Dubai, 11-14 November 2018. Factors such as accessibility, environmental impacts and knowledge sharing are all considered in the judging process. Paul Vallee, managing director of BestCities, a global network of 12 premier meeting destinations, said: “We created the Incredible Impacts Grants Programme along with ICCA to help those in the industry make their own mark on the associations industry and consider ways they can leave a lasting impact in the early stages of planning. “Throughout the last year we’ve seen some incredible events delivered, so with only a few weeks to go, we want to give associations one final opportunity to submit their legacy project, and reward those who are leading the way in the industry with a grant to deliver further positive change. “We were impressed with the quality of powerful examples we received last year and we’re confident we will have even more great examples in 2018.” ICCA acting CEO Dennis Speet added: “Last year’s entries provided some amazing cases that helped us to communicate the vast quantities of knowledge that are created and shared, the inward investment and business connections that are stimulated, and the societal, healthcare and economic challenges that are addressed and solved at international association meetings. “We’re grateful for BestCities’ generous support, and look forward to hearing some amazing new stories about the power of meetings. We strongly encourage our industry peers to join this select group of associations, and celebrate some of the best examples of projects that showcase the wider impact of these meetings, and more importantly, to encourage greater awareness and new projects.” Last year’s programme saw 20 associations submit legacy examples, with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH): World Thrombosis Day Campaign, World Parkinson Coalition (WPC): World Parkinson’s Congress and World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) taking home the prize. Associations interested in applying can nominate themselves or candidate associations can be nominated by any ICCA member. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to share further information for the second stage of the programme. For further information on the Incredible Impacts Grant and for details on how to submit your nomination visit: www.bestcities.net or ICCA’s Knowledge Hub on www.iccaworld.org/knowledge.   Image shows the inaugural winners of the Incredible Impacts Grants Programme