About Us
As of February 2024, Positive Impact has a community of almost 2,000 global event professionals, over 40 corporate Head of Events, over 40 Corporate Head of Sustainability, over 160 SMEs with a Race to Zero commitment, over 5 memorandums of understanding with United Nations bodies.
We are the only event sector body to be a Race to Zero Accelerator, UN SDG Action mobiliser and to have education certified by the world’s largest and leading CPD accreditation working across all sectors, so our education is accessed by heads of marketing, HR and sustainability.
For over 15 years not for profit Positive Impact have been providing engagement, collaboration and education to create a sustainable event industry. You could describe Positive Impact as the ‘critical friend’ of the global event sector.
Our funding comes from everywhere and nowhere, and every penny, cent or yen is used to advance the event sector so every time an event happens the UN Sustainable Development Goals are advanced and events are recognised as ensuring 'participation and inclusion in decision making’ (UN SDG16).
This is a timeline of Positive Impact's journey and the creation of a sustainable event industry. It reflects initiatives from:
The United Nations
Positive Impact
CEO Fiona Pelham
Key developments in the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Sharing ideas to make events more sustainable
Positive Impact team member Charlie Banks writes about practices to make events more sustainable, in the Hospitality & Events North magazine.
Positive Impact team member Charlie Banks writes about practices to make events more sustainable, in the Hospitality & Events North magazine.
Sharing a vision for sustainability with ISO 20121
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham was interviewed by ISO Focus magazine about ISO 20121, and her article was translated to feature in the French edition.
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham was interviewed by ISO Focus magazine about ISO 20121, and her article was translated to feature in the French edition.
Working on ISO 20121 initiatives
When ISO 20121 launched in 2012, Positive Impact (along with sister company Sustainable Events Ltd) worked to support its implementation, including helping Old Trafford Stadium and a number of other initiatives mentioned in these ISO Focus+ interviews.
When ISO 20121 launched in 2012, Positive Impact (along with sister company Sustainable Events Ltd) worked to support its implementation, including helping Old Trafford Stadium and a number of other initiatives mentioned in these ISO Focus+ interviews.
Showcasing the potential of ISO 20121
In this ISO Focus article, Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham talks about the development of the ISO 20121 international stardard for sustainable event management and how it could benefit the sector.
In this ISO Focus article, Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham talks about the development of the ISO 20121 international stardard for sustainable event management and how it could benefit the sector.
Speaking at the 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the event about sport as an inspiration to GRI sustainability reporting.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the event about sport as an inspiration to GRI sustainability reporting.
Showcasing our sustainability using the GRI reporting framework
In 2010 (through our sister company Sustainable Events Ltd) we published our first sustainability report using the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework.
In 2010 (through our sister company Sustainable Events Ltd) we published our first sustainability report using the Global Reporting Initiative reporting framework.
Supporting sustainable events in Manchester
Positive Impact were included in “a guide to greening your event” from Manchester City Council, which includes tips for creating a more sustainable event.
Positive Impact were included in “a guide to greening your event” from Manchester City Council, which includes tips for creating a more sustainable event.
Sharing best practice with a BS 8901 case study
Manchester International Festival trialled implementing BS 8901 at four of their events. This case study covers their learnings.
Manchester International Festival trialled implementing BS 8901 at four of their events. This case study covers their learnings.
Understanding BS 8901 Positive Impact at Earls Court and Olympia 2009
In September 2009, Positive Impact delivered a series of workshops on BS 8901 across the UK. The event series was awarded the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Inspire Mark to demonstrate that the initiative was creating legacy.
In September 2009, Positive Impact delivered a series of workshops on BS 8901 across the UK.
The event series was awarded the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Inspire Mark to demonstrate that the initiative was creating legacy.
Event managers Organise This also measured and reported on the event impact, which was part of their 3rd party certification to BS 8901.
Winning awards for our sustainability tool
Sustainable Events Ltd (now incorporated into Positive Impact’s work) was recognised as a “hero” at the North West Business Enviroment Awards 2008 for our EventSustainability tool.
Sustainable Events Ltd (now incorporated into Positive Impact’s work) was recognised as a “hero” at the North West Business Enviroment Awards 2008 for our EventSustainability tool.
Joining England’s Northwest Climate Change Charter
In May 2007, Positive Impact’s sister company Organise This joined the Northwest Climate Change Charter, a coalition of private and public sector leaders who have agreed to address climate change within their organisations.
Empowering event professionals to create a sustainable event industry
Positive Impact Events launch a free to join Ambassador programme and commits to sending resources out throughout the year to empower event professionals to use their voices to champion the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Positive Impact Events launch a free to join Ambassador programme and commits to sending resources out throughout the year to empower event professionals to use their voices to champion the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Examples of early resources can be found here:
The Event Industry that can create a better world
Everything you need to know about Positive Impact as an Ambassador
Identifying opportunities for sustainability in tourism
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham attended a one day conference around sustainability in English tourism. Her notes from the day highlight opportunities for destinations to benefit from incorporating sustainablity into their work.
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham attended a one day conference around sustainability in English tourism. Her notes from the day highlight opportunities for destinations to benefit from incorporating sustainablity into their work.
The start of a more sustainable event industry
Positive Impact launches as a not for profit with a mission of providing education to create a sustainable event industry.
Positive Impact Events launches as a not for profit with a mission of providing education to create a sustainable event industry.
