When making an impact moves from words into action

With a mission of bringing the global events community together to do business, learn and drive positive change, IMEX decided to make IMPACT our annual Talking Point for 2024/25.

At the time we knew little about the hundreds of destinations and organizations in the global meetings and events industry already focused on creating a more positive impact through events or high-level collaborations.  

Below is just a fragment of the progress being made in our industry, and the wider world.  

This is good news!  

When media headlines can leave us feeling hopeless or despondent, these stories prove that positive change is possible when we pull together and challenge each other to reach higher, stretch further and build for beyond.  

A dedicated ‘MICE’ forest 

The business events team at the Costa Rica Tourism Board realized they needed to make their sustainability efforts more visible to event planners in search of meetings destinations with strong environmental credentials. Now, a portion of the money generated specifically by business events funds the growth and conservation of a 36,000-tree forest in the North Pacific – the ‘MICE’ forest. Carolina Trejos , Director| Marketing at Costa Rica Tourism Board.

Art as a medium for raising awareness  

Having done beach clean-ups for the past eight years since she was a little girl, Carolina Sevilla, Co-Founder of the 5 Minute Foundation, started noticing strange items washing up on the shore. They turned out to be plastic waste that had spent so long in the sea or under the sun that they’d melted, absorbing other materials as they hardened.  

Nick-named ‘Fossils of the Anthropocene’, these artefacts demonstrate that human behavior is both the problem and the solution. By creating a travelling art exhibition from this plastic waste, (see image from IMEX Frankfurt) Costa Rica who is partnering with the 5 Minute Foundation, is helping us see the indelible footprint that humankind had made on the planet while inviting us all to change our ways.  

Define what a ‘good meeting’ means 

When the Singapore Tourism Board decided to focus on making a more positive impact through the lens of ‘more good meetings’ they first had to define what a good meeting means.  

That work resulted in a Legacy Toolkit which clearly articulated a vision for ‘good’ meetings and events in Singapore that everyone could work towards. This led to them setting a baseline for both carbon and waste reduction within their own events industry, followed by a commitment to carbon neutral trade show participation, starting with IMEX Frankfurt.  

What is the Earthshot Prize? 

“By 2030 the world must reduce CO2 emissions by over 40 per cent and protect 30 per cent of nature, fresh water, and oceans,” says the Earthshot Prize. “Recognizing this need, HRH Prince William founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020. In just three years, we’re emerging as a global platform for finding innovators, unlocking funding, accelerating solutions and inspiring optimism.” 

The Earthshot Prize Impact Report 2024 makes the case for believing in the power of human creativity and ingenuity, seeking out “those who channel their concerns, frustrations and despair into breakthrough ideas and action.” 

Whether it’s South America’s Accion Andina working to protect native high Andean Forest ecosystems or Wildaid scaling marine enforcement to end illegal fishing and strengthen ocean conservation, the Earthshot Prize proves that combining funding with focused effort and clear intention can change the world for the better.  

A new trade deal removes tariffs on environmental products  

In early July 2024 New Zealand, Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland signed a trade deal “to remove tariffs on hundreds of environmental products.” 

A joint ministerial statement describes a “groundbreaking trade agreement focused on the climate change, trade and sustainability agendas, [and] which is consistent with their obligations under the WTO.” 

With Norway rumored to be considering signing the agreement too, this is one more demonstration of the power of collaboration for good at the highest level.  

Opportunities to make a more positive impact 

Initiatives such as these are important because talk about positive impact is cheap. Evidence of commitment to change is what matters. And, as we like to point out, the word ‘act’ is there, hiding in plain sight in the word ‘impact’.  

If you’re interested in making a more positive impact in your life, your organization or the world, come and connect with like-minded event profs at IMEX America 2024. Look out for our new, dedicated ‘Impact’ education track, designed and curated to both inspire and nudge you into action.   

IMEX America takes place, October 8-10, at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Register now.