Strategic partnership advocates for international meetings as catalysts of change in communities around the world.
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have renewed their partnership through a three-year agreement to continue the annual Incredible Impacts Programme. The initiative recognises international meetings that create meaningful, enduring legacies within their host destinations and global communities.
Each year, the Incredible Impacts Programme distributes two financial grants – a main grant of USD $20,000 and a seed grant of USD $5,000. Recipients demonstrate exceptional innovation and creativity, establishing standards of excellence that inspire industry peers to integrate legacy initiatives into their own international events. Following a rigorous selection process, finalists present their submissions at the ICCA Congress held each November, with winners determined by a jury panel alongside congress attendees.
The Incredible Impacts Programme was founded by BestCities and ICCA in 2017 with an aim to raise awareness that the influence of international association meetings extends far beyond attendance metrics. These gatherings bring together industry leaders worldwide who exchange valuable knowledge that often generates solutions to critical societal, healthcare, and economic challenges.
In 2024, Incredible Impacts Programme recipients included the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), which secured the main grant, and the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS), which was awarded the seed grant. Detailed case studies of these and previous winners are available on the Incredible Impacts website.
“International association meetings drive economic growth while advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues across multiple sectors,” said Loren Christie, Managing Director, BestCities Global Alliance. “Through the Incredible Impacts Programme, we are proud to spotlight transformative projects that fundamentally improve society – from healthcare training in underrepresented regions to empowering survivors of domestic violence. We are thrilled to renew our partnership with ICCA, enabling us to continue providing grants to associations creating meaningful change while inspiring others to embark on similar journeys of impact.”
“Our continued partnership with BestCities reinforces a core belief that both organisations share: that international association meetings are powerful drivers of positive change,” said Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “The Incredible Impacts Programme is a global platform that highlights innovation, purpose, and the transformative potential of global meetings and events. It showcases how associations are delivering exceptional events and also addressing key issues around the world, creating lasting legacies. ICCA is proud to back this initiative, and we look forward to supporting more outstanding organisations.”
