Kuala Lumpur business events shaping the future through Legacy Impact workshop

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) hosted a one-day workshop, 23 April, on how the business event industry fosters positive societal change. Facilitated by Geneviève Leclerc, a leading force for social impact, the workshop was attended by national associations, organisations within the business events supply chain, professional congress organisers, exhibition organisers, and representatives of the hospitality sector. The workshop was centred on associations and delegates’ desire  for long-term and meaningful reasons to meet that go beyond sharing knowledge within the conference venue’s four walls. They seek experiences encompassing whole-destination approach coupled with long-term impact alignment, enabling them to address existing gaps or needs within the local community. The legacies left behind by such business events, the workshop heard, can transform people’s mindsets and behaviour, drive policy changes and initiatives, and improve the lives of the local community. John Burke, general manager of KLCC, said: “Organising this workshop is part of our continuous commitment towards industry development. Meetings and conferences are powerful change drivers that act as catalysts that leave lasting impact to society. By initiating these important conversations on how associations, organisers and the venue can create impactful events, the business events industry become part of the solution that drives positive change to people’s lives and livelihood.” Geneviève Leclerc, CEO and co-founder of #Meet4Impact, added: “Business events delegates want to break from the silos and do more for the communities where they are convening in. Recognising this, many associations have aligned their conference missions and their raison d’être with the priorities at the destination which addresses the local community’s issues and needs. Strategically incorporating these elements ensures that the event leaves a lasting legacy which creates meaningful economic and societal impact.” The workshop at KLCC combined classroom session with interactive hands-on activities which included sharing of case studies and working on impact frameworks for future events.