A group of Edinburgh-based event professionals have today (17 October) 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 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.
Why now?
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.
The tool aims to deliver 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.
Commenting on the launch, Amanda Wrathall, sales and 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 have 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.”
