For associations, this ensures continuity of legacy from one event to the next, the ability to build on outcomes achieved in previous host cities, and the support of a global network committed to amplifying advocacy, sustainability and impact goals. By working with BestCities, associations gain trusted partners who help them translate conference ambitions into long-lasting results for their members and society at large.
“The BestCities Global Alliance is the world’s premier alliance of convention bureaux and provides an unparalleled opportunity for partner destinations to access expertise and resources across the collective,” says Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau and Chair of BestCities (pictured left). “Increasingly, the business events landscape has shifted to think beyond economic impact and to consider the importance of legacy and lasting impact; BestCities empowers cities to create meaningful events that have a transformational power on their industry, destination and community.”
A Journey of Growth and Reinvention
Founded in 2000, BestCities emerged from a shared belief that collaboration among destinations could elevate the standards of international conferences. In the years since, the Alliance has grown into a truly global network, uniting best practices across five continents.
Two milestones define this journey. The first was the creation of the Global Forum in 2016, launched in Dubai with 35 association leaders. The event was designed with a vision. “Much more than organisational meeting, the Forum became a catalyst for industry-wide dialogue on legacy design, knowledge exchange, and the evolving role of international conferences,” reflects Loren Christie, Managing Director of BestCities. “Through visionary content and expert-led workshops, it has positioned BestCities as a global thought leader in legacy innovation.”
Since then, the Forum has become a cornerstone of the Alliance’s identity, experimenting with new formats, including the first hybrid edition in 2020, which engaged 128 delegates during the pandemic. Each year, the event continues to evolve, serving as both a platform for collaboration and a living case study in impact, with initiatives such as carbon offsetting, charitable engagement and research dissemination embedded in its programme.
The second defining milestone was the establishment of the Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) in 2017, co-created with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). This initiative rewards associations that design events delivering measurable societal, environmental, or developmental benefits.
“Beyond funding, it fosters a culture of impact, encouraging associations to embed legacy thinking into every stage of event planning,” says Christie (pictured right). “As BestCities’ first flagship initiative focused on legacy, Incredible Impacts marked our evolution from event facilitator to industry thought leader.”
In 2025, the programme expanded its grant structure to include a USD $20,000 main award alongside USD $5,000 seed grants, ensuring accessibility for smaller or newer associations. At the same time, BestCities and ICCA renewed their partnership for another three years, showing the programme’s long-term value.
Partner Cities Anchoring Impact
BestCities’ network of 13 destinations spans every major region of the world, giving associations the ability to take their conferences truly global while ensuring consistency of vision and legacy outcomes. Through the Alliance’s platform, organisers can connect directly with each convention bureau and benefit from local expertise strengthened by long-standing collaboration across the network.
- Berlin Convention Office
- Cape Town Convention Bureau
- Copenhagen Convention Bureau
- Dubai Business Events
- Dublin Convention Bureau
- Guadalajara
- Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Madrid Convention Bureau
- Melbourne Convention Bureau
- Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau
- Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Tourism Vancouver Convention Bureau
- Destination DC – Washington, DC
Forces of Innovation
But BestCities’ initiatives extend beyond these milestones. The Madrid Challenge, launched in 2021, encourages organisers to embed legacy and sustainability pledges directly into conference design. In parallel, the Alliance has published research – including its 2020 global study establishing a shared “legacy language”and measurable indicators – offering associations a toolkit to define and track outcomes beyond attendance and revenue.
BestCities also supports education and professional development through initiatives like the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass (hosted in 2025 with 15 clients), Community Cafés, and year-round learning opportunities. Together, these efforts reinforce the Alliance’s commitment to legacy-first strategies and to raising the bar for the meetings industry.
A distinguishing factor is the continuity it provides. When an association partners with BestCities, legacy efforts are not confined to a single event. Thanks to close collaboration among member cities, outcomes achieved in one destination are built upon at the next. This ensures that conferences become stepping stones in a longer journey of advocacy, sustainability, or professional advancement.
Legacy in Action
This philosophy resonates strongly with associations, as shown by World Physiotherapy, which has collaborated with several BestCities partners. “Sustainability and legacy-building is a key aim for our congress and our events,” explains Allegra Roccato, Head of Events at World Physiotherapy. “At our congress in Dubai in 2023, we collaborated with the Emirates Physiotherapy Society in an advocacy campaign, which resulted in the Dubai Health Authority approving direct access to physiotherapy for the local population. The congress acted as a catalyst for action.”
At its 2025 congress in Tokyo, the organisation partnered with the Japanese Physical Therapy Association, Tokyo International Forum, and government departments to introduce a range of sustainable and inclusive measures, from repurposed signage to designated quiet rooms. In 2027, World Physiotherapy plans to work with AMEFI (Asociación Mexicana de Fisioterapia y Terapia Física) in Guadalajara on an advocacy campaign to strengthen professional regulation in Mexico.
What began with advocacy in Dubai is being expanded in Tokyo and will be further developed in Guadalajara, showing how multiple congresses in different member cities can drive global change.
Designing Tomorrow’s Legacy
BestCities’ recent Purpose Under Pressure report, developed with Strategic Membership Solutions, revealed that 70% of association leaders now regard legacy impact as “extremely important”. This trend signals a fundamental shift towards legacy-led conferences and year-round engagement models.
“The future of conferences is purpose-driven, where ESG, DEI, accessibility, and community collaboration are not optional, but expected,” says Christie. “BestCities remains committed to leading the transformation, working together with our partners towards an industry where every conference – no matter how big or small – leaves a legacy that makes a positive difference for people and planet.”
Want to know more about how your next event can create lasting legacy? Contact BestCities Global Alliance at www.bestcities.net or email Loren Christie at loren@bestcities.net to start the conversation.