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.
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.
Celebrating 20 years of the Hannover principles
Architect William McDonough originally designed these principles for sustainable design in 1992 and reprinted them to celebrate 20 years since their creation.
Architect William McDonough originally designed these principles for sustainable design in 1992 and reprinted them to celebrate 20 years since their creation.
Event sustainability management system ISO 20121 launches
ISO 20121 event sustainability management system launches. This is one of the first sector specific sustainability standards.
ISO 20121 event sustainability management system launches. This is one of the first sector specific sustainability standards.
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.
Sustainability reporting framework GRI EOSS launches
The Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement launches as the first sustainability reporting guidelines for the event industry.
The Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement launches as the first sustainability reporting guidelines for the event industry.
Providing insights into the development of ISO 20121
In this article of Quality World, Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham talks about the benefit of ISO 20121.
In this article of Quality World, Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham talks about the benefit of ISO 20121.
ISO 20121 committee meeting in Japan
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, chaired an ISO 20121 committee meeting in Japan which involved engagement with the Japanese event sector.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, chaired an ISO 20121 committee meeting in Japan which involved engagement with the Japanese event sector.
A meeting about ISO 20121 takes place in Japan
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, attended the meeting as Chair of ISO 20121.
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, attended the meeting as Chair of ISO 20121.
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.
MPI hosts the first European Forum on Sustainability in the Meetings Industry (EFSMI)
The event took place in Bruges, Belgium from 27th - 28th June 2010, hosted by the Belgium chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the event about measurement standards.
The event took place in Bruges, Belgium from 27th - 28th June 2010, hosted by the Belgium chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the event about measurement standards.
Work starts on ISO 20121 and GRI EOSS
Event professionals being work on the creation of the Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement and ISO 20121.
Event professionals being work on the creation of the Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement and ISO 20121.
Copenhagen leads the way on CSR after COP15
This article looks at the ways that Copenhagen demonstrated leadership around sustainability in preparation for the COP15 event.
This article looks at the ways that Copenhagen demonstrated leadership around sustainability in preparation for the COP15 event.
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.
C&IT features BS8901 in their sustainability report
The report from Conference & Incentive Travel included several references to the British Standard for sustainable events, BS8901, which ultimately was developed into International Standard ISO 20121.
The report from Conference & Incentive Travel included several references to the British Standard for sustainable events, BS8901, which ultimately was developed into International Standard ISO 20121.
The magazine included sustainability tips along with interviews with Lloyds TSB (who worked with Positive Impact’s sister company Organise This to implement BS8901) and David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability for the London 2012 Olympics.
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.
Manchester: A Certain Future event imagines sustainable event opportunities
As part of the 2009 event, a list of “headlines from the future” imagined a sustainable event in 2020 and set out actions to get there.
As part of the 2009 event, a list of “headlines from the future” imagined a sustainable event in 2020 and set out actions to get there.
Work starts on BS 8901
Inspired by London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the British Standards Institute starts work on BS 8901, a British standard to demonstrate the sustainability in the planning and delivery of an event.
Inspired by London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the British Standards Institute starts work on BS 8901, a British standard to demonstrate the sustainability in the planning and delivery of an event.
MPI magazine includes article about carbon management
In 2009, the MPI magazine included an article titled Moving towards a more comprehensive carbon management strategy which looked at the options available to event planners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
In 2009, the MPI magazine included an article titled Moving towards a more comprehensive carbon management strategy which looked at the options available to event planners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
