The International Congress and Convention Association and destination global marketing alliance BestCities are to renew their annual Incredible Impacts grant programme for a further three years. The programme, now in its fourth year, is designed to award associations leaving lasting legacies.
The partnership will continue to showcase the ‘beyond tourism’ impact of face-to-face meetings, and celebrate inspiring work from international associations – through factors like legacy, sustainability, diversity, environmentalism and knowledge sharing. The Incredible Impacts programme is now open for submissions.
Previous winning examples include associations which have positively influenced social and governmental change, to scholarship programmes and even health testing being opened to the public in an event’s host city. With three grants of US$7,500 available, entrants have the opportunity to be recognised for their innovative work while securing funds that can be used towards future legacy projects.
Lesley Williams, Managing Director of BestCities Global Alliance, said: “This period of uncertainty presents an opportunity for us to step back and recognise the incredible impacts achieved through face-to-face meetings – the lives that have been changed and barriers that have been broken. ”“We’re inviting international associations who have an outstanding story to tell to use this programme to showcase their legacy, or the potential impact of a future event, while at the same time securing valuable funding to support their cause.”
Last year’s winners included the European Lung Foundation in conjunction with European Respiratory Society; International AIDS Society and the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. ICCA CEO, Senthil Gopinath, said: “ICCA is delighted to have been partnering with BestCities to communicate the importance of the impact of associations and their meetings on all aspects of society: from health and science to advocacy and human rights, which is more relevant now than ever before.”
Tracy Bury, Deputy CEO of World Confederation for Physical Therapy and past Incredible Impacts winner and judge, said: “It’s never felt more important than now, to be capturing these success stories as evidence of what can be achieved, and we hope that the programme can be used as evidence to help drive the bounce-back of the events sector, and what our associations and partners can do together, with a renewed focus on social impact and accountability.”
