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 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.
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.
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’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.”
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.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
