BestCities Global Alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary, reflecting on a remarkable legacy of collaboration, innovation, and meaningful impact in the global meetings industry.
Since its official launch at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne in 2000, the alliance has grown from five founding members to 13 world-class destinations, shaping a more sustainable and socially responsible approach to international business events.
With its strong focus on legacy, BestCities has played a crucial role in advancing initiatives that drive real-world change.
The Incredible Impacts Programme, launched in partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) in 2017, has provided $200,000 in funding to international associations that deliver lasting social impact through their events.
Meanwhile, the Madrid Challenge, introduced in 2021, has inspired meeting planners and destinations to integrate sustainability and legacy planning into their conferences, now boasting 61 committed association planners.
The alliance’s commitment to education and collaboration is evident through the BestCities Global Forum, launched in 2016. This annual gathering has brought together over 185 association professionals, offering valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and innovation. The most recent edition, held in Dublin in January 2025, continued to build on this legacy by hosting 21 association representatives alongside seven media titles and reinforcing BestCities’ dedication to impact through the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass.
Reflecting on the alliance’s journey, Edward Koh, Board Chair of BestCities, stated: “Over the past 25 years, we have expanded to 13 partner destinations worldwide, helped dozens of international conferences leave positive legacies in their host communities, and supported the meetings industry in building back stronger after the pandemic. As we step into the future, we remain focused on driving sustainability and social impact in the events sector.”