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.
Facilitating a sustainability policy roundtable with destinations and policymakers
Positive Impact facilitated a policy roundtable at IMEX Frankfurt to explore with destinations and policymakers what needs to happen so policy enables sustainable action at events.
Positive Impact facilitated a policy roundtable at IMEX Frankfurt to explore with destinations and policymakers what needs to happen so policy enables sustainable action at events.
Exploring the importance of measurement with the UN
UN representatives from UN SDG Action Campaign and MYWorld and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) were invited to IMEX Frankfurt to discuss the importance of measurement. These representatives participated in a successful presentation to a standing room only audience of over 200. They also joined a roundtable with industry leaders to support industry actions on measurement.
UN representatives from UN SDG Action Campaign and MYWorld and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) were invited to IMEX Frankfurt to discuss the importance of measurement. These representatives participated in a successful presentation to a standing room only audience of over 200. They also joined a roundtable with industry leaders to support industry actions on measurement.
Presenting at the UN SDG Global Festival of Action on how events are a route to achieving the SDGs
Positive Impact’s CEO, Fiona Pelham, hosted a presentation at the 2019 SDG Global Festival of Action sharing stories of how events are used to change the world. These stories also shared actions people could take so they left the room inspired and ready to take action.
Fiona Pelham hosted a presentation at the 2019 SDG Global Festival of Action sharing stories of how events are used to change the world. These stories also shared actions people could take so they left the room inspired and ready to take action.
Celebrating Earth Day with #CSRshareDay
Positive Impact Events curated a 24 hour collaboration by event professionals around the world to share best practice examples of sustainable events on social media.
Positive Impact Events curate a 24 hour collaboration by event professionals around the world to share best practice examples of sustainable events on social media.
Researching the top 10 ways to reduce your event's carbon footprint
Positive Impact worked with Project Drawdown to research the 10 best ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your event to help achieve our vision of a sustainable events industry.
Positive Impact worked with Project Drawdown to research the 10 best ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your event to help achieve our vision of a sustainable events industry.
Hearing from school strikers for Global Meetings Industry Day
This year Positive Impact celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day by hosting a webinar with a number of children in England, Scotland and Hong Kong who took part in the school strikes for climate. We also asked industry leaders to ‘Pledge for Change’ to be a part of the solution, not the problem. Almost 40 industry leaders signed this pledge.
This year Positive Impact celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day by hosting a webinar with a number of children in England, Scotland and Hong Kong who took part in the school strikes for climate. We also asked industry leaders to ‘Pledge for Change’ to be a part of the solution, not the problem. Almost 40 industry leaders signed this pledge.
Asking businesses to be part of creating a sustainable event industry
In 2019, Positive Impact created a microsite which set out the ways that companies could get involved with the creation of a sustainable event sector.
In 2019, Positive Impact created a microsite which set out the ways that companies could get involved with the creation of a sustainable event sector.
We’ve provided a summary of the content from that microsite below. The format has been changed slightly so it’s easier to read as a single page, but you can find screenshots from the original web pages at the end.
INTRODUCTION
Positive Impact Events is a not for profit creating a sustainable event industry since 2004.
By sustainable, we mean positive economic, environmental and social impacts in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For the event industry, we mean everyone within the supply chain (e.g. destinations, venues, event agencies, hotels etc.) who make it possible for two or more people to connect with a shared purpose at an event.
Here’s how we’re doing it
Positive Impact Events is creating an ‘Acceleration Commitment’ (i.e. a plan with indicators) to submit to the United Nations for their Sustainable Development Goal Summit in September 2019.
The ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will communicate the business case for events in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, so that the global event industry can be part of the conversation with businesses and global government on the ten year plan to achieve the sustainable development goals.
The ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will also build on 5 existing partnerships, Memorandum of Association, affiliation and agreements which Positive Impact Events has with United Nations bodies and create opportunities for collaboration with global government and business.
THE BUSINESS CASE
The business case for a sustainable event industry
Positive Impact Events is a not for profit creating a sustainable event industry since 2004. This means that every time an event happens, there is a positive environmental, social, and/or economic impact. Positive Impact Events shares best practice, faciliates conversations to facilitate industry-changing reports, creates content, tools and campaigns to tell the story of the power of events.
To understand why this work is essential for the future of the event industry, listen to a webinar from future event attendees or read the 2018 IPCC report, which recommends using more technology rather than travelling to meetings.
The Business Case for Submitting an ‘Acceleration Commitment’ on Behalf of the Global Event Industry in September 2019
An ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will communicate the business case for events to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This way the event industry will be part of the conversation with businesses and global government on the ten year plan to achieve the goals.
September 2019 was the deadline for all industries to submit an ‘Acceleration Commitment’, after which the United Nations and global businesses created action plans based on the submissions. This was a clear opportunity for events to be recognised as a solution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, rather than being identified as one of the causes of the problem (for example, in a 2018 IPCC Report, the recommendation was to use technology more and travel to meetings less).
This ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will build on Positive Impact Events’ 5 existing partnerships, Memorandum of Association, affiliation and agreements with United Nations bodies.
This commitment will not just be from Positive Impact Events; instead it is an opportunity for the whole event industry to open the door to further conversations with the United Nations and global businesses about the role of events in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals. These goals are what future government and business strategy will be shaped around.
Listen to the interview with EventIcons to hear Fiona Pelham Positive Impact Events CEO explain more about the clear opportunity and the business case for creating the ‘Acceleration Commitment’.
FAQ
We’ve put together some short videos to help you engage the global event Industry with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS
To support the deliverables of the Acceleration Commitment/Action that Positive Impact Events shared with the UN on September 24th 2019 to ensure that the event industry contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, my company will:
-
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
-
Support for best practice sharing
Opportunity to provide content for a report
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our annual white paper, focused on the event industry and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, which launches at IBTM World every November. Last year the report was shared with a community of over 10,000.
-
Materials to be able to implement ISO 20121 to first party certification standard through four interactive workshops
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our annual white paper, focused on the event industry and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, which launches at IBTM World every November. Last year the report was shared with a community of over 10,000.
-
Support for best practice sharing
Receive basic content for a specific community’s needs which could include reference to your company
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Event and sustainability media coverage which for this campaign so far has included : * Meetingsnet * 3BL Media * CIM Unity * Meetpie * Conference & Incentive Travel * Conference Meetings World * Conference News * Destination UK * Event Industry News * Event News Online * Exhibition News * Exhibition World * Stand Out * Northstar Media newsletter * Travel Daily UK * Eglobal travel media * Access All Areas * CMW * TW * Association Meetings International * HQ Europe * ESSA (Event Supplier and Services Association) News * ICTM * Earthlanka.net *Eturbo
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our secretariats who share with their communities of event professionals in their local markets including Cerespo in Japan
-
Support for best practice sharing
Receive basic tools (e.g. an app) for a specific community’s needs which could include reference to your company
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events is available upon request. -
Support for best practice sharing
Alignment with United Nations partner, event industry associations and at least 6 event industry media partners
Tailored and unique opportunities to tell your story at the same time as supporting the creation of a sustainable event industry
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events is available upon request. -
Use your voice to make a difference
ORIGINAL SCREENSHOTS
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019 with our Girls Creating campaign
In 2019, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Positive Impact held a webinar and created an interview series with leading women in the event industry.
In 2019, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Positive Impact held a webinar and created an interview series with leading women in the event industry.
Growing our ambassador community in 2018
In 2018 our ambassadors grew to 267 ambassadors. We provided our ambassadors with 3 powerpoints to engage their communities on the UN SDGs. August’s theme was on SDG 13, 10 AND 11. We also sent our ambassadors monthly challenges related to a UN SDG. You can see June’s challenge here.
In 2018 our ambassador community grew to 267 ambassadors. We provided our ambassadors with 3 powerpoints to engage their communities on the UN SDGs. August’s theme was on SDG 13, 10 AND 11. We also sent our ambassadors monthly challenges related to a UN SDG. You can see June’s challenge here.
Collaborating with Finland’s largest convention centre to implement ISO 20121
Positive Impact worked with Messukeskus to support their implementation of ISO 20121.
Positive Impact worked with Messukeskus to support their implementation of ISO 20121.
Reaching over 500,000 for World Peace Day 2018
Positive Impact celebrated World Peace Day by creating a campaign to share knowledge and wisdom on creating safe, peaceful event spaces. This included a series of 6 webinars. Speakers included UNFCCC and the Institute for Human Rights and Business. Our 2018 World Peace Day campaign reached over 500,000.
Positive Impact celebrated World Peace Day by creating a campaign to share knowledge and wisdom on creating safe, peaceful event spaces. This included a series of 6 webinars. Speakers included UNFCCC and the Institute for Human Rights and Business. Our 2018 World Peace Day campaign reached over 500,000.
Highlighting the risks of action around sustainability in CIM Magazine
Positive Impact’s CEO Fiona Pelham was interviewed for Conference & Incentive Management magazine and spoke about her mission to make the event industry more sustainable and why taking action is so important.
Positive Impact’s CEO Fiona Pelham was interviewed for Conference & Incentive Management magazine and spoke about her mission to make the event industry more sustainable and why taking action is so important.
Celebrating Earth Day with #CSRshareDay
Positive Impact Events curated a 24 hour collaboration by event professionals around the world to share best practice examples of sustainable events on social media.
Positive Impact Events curate a 24 hour collaboration by event professionals around the world to share best practice examples of sustainable events on social media.
Reporting on sustainability at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
The purpose of this report is to share learnings and inspire future events on how to implement a sustainability strategy which meets the guidelines of ISO 20121.
The purpose of this report is to share learnings and inspire future events on how to implement a sustainability strategy which meets the guidelines of ISO 20121.
Creating a toolkit for the event industry to #shareapositiveimpact
We asked the event industry to help us reach 2 Million shares of our #shareapostiveimpact campaign by December 2018. As part of this goal, we created a free toolkit that could be downloaded to make it easier for anyone to share an example of sustainability best practice in the event industry.
We asked the event industry to help us reach 2 Million shares of our #shareapostiveimpact campaign by December 2018. As part of this goal, we created a free toolkit that could be downloaded to make it easier for anyone to share an example of sustainability best practice in the event industry.
Sharing stories of collaboration for #GMID18
Positive Impact hosted a webinar for #GMID18 with IBTM and Caesars Entertainment on how collaboration can build a more powerful and sustainable events industry.
Positive Impact hosted a webinar for #GMID18 with IBTM and Caesars Entertainment on how collaboration can build a more powerful and sustainable events industry.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2018 with our Girls Creating campaign
In 2018, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Fiona wrote a blog on how the importance of women in making history.
In 2018, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Fiona wrote a blog on how the importance of women in making history.
Engaging with UN Environment to leverage sustainable procurement practices
Collaboration with UN Environment to understand what sustainable procurement practices created to transform tourism value chains could mean for events.
Collaboration with UN Environment to understand what sustainable procurement practices created to transform tourism value chains could mean for events.
Creating a sustainability charter for SITE
In January 2018, the SITE Foundation provided a grant to Positive Impact to support the creation of a sustainability charter for SITE.
In January 2018, the SITE Foundation provided a grant to Positive Impact to support the creation of a sustainability charter for SITE. Working in collaboration with two members of SITE international board and the SITE sustainability committee, a best practice approach was taken. This report is a summary of that approach and could be used by SITE members to create their own sustainability charters to further their own sustainability strategies.
Providing opportunities for collaboration between the UN and event industry
UN representatives were invited to IBTM World to meet event industry leaders and associations to discuss the role of events in achieving the UN SDGs. The Event Industry Council, Joint Meeting Industry Council and their member associations were invited to meet - only 3 association representatives attended.
UN representatives were invited to IBTM World to meet event industry leaders and associations to discuss the role of events in achieving the UN SDGS. The Event Industry Council, Joint Meeting Industry Council and their member associations were invited to meet - only 3 association representatives attended.
