Edinburgh event professionals launch new tool to measure the societal impact of events in the city

18 October 2022

Edinburgh event professionals launch new tool to measure the societal impact of events in the city

• BEST was created by a collaborative group comprising Convention Edinburgh, EICC, The Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh Airport, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection, Assembly Rooms and the National Museum of Scotland, with the aim of delivering community-based calculations for organisations around a number of areas including how  Edinburgh can become a more sustainable city

A group of Edinburgh-based event professionals have launched a new tool to measure the societal impact that conferences and business events have in the city.

The Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) tool has been developed to evaluate the positive outcomes from the hundreds of business events hosted in the capital each year.

The tool works by inviting those involved in the conference to provide qualitative data and content which relates to how the conference performed in areas such as wellbeing, food choices, volunteering levels, and social interactions. This data is collated and verified, and organisers are then awarded an accreditation based on their positive contributions to the city.

BEST was created by a collaborative group comprising Convention Edinburgh, EICC, The Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh Airport, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection, Assembly Rooms and the National Museum of Scotland, with the aim of delivering community-based calculations for organisations around a number of areas including how  Edinburgh can become a more sustainable city.  By sharing good practice, and encouraging collaboration, innovation, and wellbeing, the group believes the initiative will drive positive societal impact.

Using software developed by Edinburgh technology firm Cenefits, supported by Edinburgh Napier University Associate Professor Dr Martin Robertson, BEST has been designed to aid event organisers so that their conferences adhere to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs most prevalent in the scheme cover: good health and wellbeing; quality education; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production, and; partnerships.

The project was supported by the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership and Recovery Fund via Scottish Enterprise. 

Amanda Wrathall, Sales & Marketing Director of EICC and Convention Edinburgh said:  “Business events have the potential to make a significant positive impact to society in the destination that they are held, and Edinburgh is a city with plays host to hundreds of conferences and events every year. Traditionally, we’ve not had the tools to measure values out with the economic impact of an event, so we’re extremely proud to have developed our Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) tool which will enable us to measure areas including wellbeing and community involvement, right here in Edinburgh.”  

Stephanie Lee, Cluster Director of Sales, InterContinental Edinburgh The George and Kimpton Charlotte Square, commented: “The new Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) initiative is a platform which awards businesses for contributing to a responsible Edinburgh, through their conferences and events. It has been designed to bolster the city’s business events sector by recognising the positive contribution of events within the community.”

The new Business Events Shaping Tomorrow tool will be launched to an audience of Edinburgh’s event providers at the InterContinental Edinburgh The George and Kimpton Charlotte Square on Tuesday 18 October.

For more information, contact:

Amanda Wrathall Convention Edinburgh amandaw@conventionedinburgh.com

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