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.
Speaking at the International Meetings Expo in Japan
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the International Meetings Expo in Japan.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the International Meetings Expo in Japan.
Judging the BSI GetGreenGo Awards
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, was a judge for the BSI GetGreenGo Awards, an award event for young people implementing BS 8901 that was held at Old Trafford Manchester United Football Ground.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, was a judge for the BSI GetGreenGo Awards, an award event for young people implementing BS 8901 that was held at Old Trafford Manchester United Football Ground.
Wales provide a recycling guide for events
The guide was produced by the Wales Event Recycling Project to promote best practice.
The guide was produced by the Wales Event Recycling Project to promote best practice.
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.
UK Green Building showcase sustainable stand design at the Think08 exhibition
They provided practical examples of how they have sourced more sustainable materials and reduced waste.
They provided practical examples of how they have sourced more sustainable materials and reduced waste.
Fiona Pelham is recognised for her work around sustainability
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, was ranked at no. 25 out of the Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine’s Power 50 in 2008.
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, was ranked at no. 25 out of the Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine’s Power 50 in 2008.
Speaking at the BACD conference
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the BACD conference in North Wales as part of the Ask the ‘Green’ Experts panel.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the BACD conference in North Wales as part of the Ask the ‘Green’ Experts panel.
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
Memberships and meetings
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham becomes a member of the Institute of Environmental Managers and Assessors and attends the Green Meeting Industry Council annual meeting in Portland Oregon.
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham becomes a member of the Institute of Environmental Managers and Assessors and attends the Green Meeting Industry Council annual meeting in Portland Oregon.
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.
MPI magazine highlights sustainability
In the March 2006 issue of their magazine, industry association Meeting Professionals International featured sustainability as the cover story with an article about “Going Green” including practical steps that event planners could take.
In the March 2006 issue of their magazine, industry association Meeting Professionals International featured sustainability as the cover story with an article about “Going Green” including practical steps that event planners could take.
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.
A key development in the creation of a sustainable event sector
In 2004, Organise This launched as an event management company with a focus on planning events in a sustainable way. This was the first business launched by Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham.
In 2004, Organise This launched as an event management company with a focus on planning events in a sustainable way. This was the first business launched by Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham.
