The strategy transforms conferences and congresses from finite gatherings into catalysts for enduring social, cultural and economic value. Developed over three years in collaboration with government, academia, clients and local communities, the framework embeds purpose at every stage of the event journey. As BESydney CEO Amanda Lampe explains, “Our Social Impact Strategy reflects more than a decade of pioneering work. It formalises our commitment to outcomes that matter – before, during and well after an event concludes.”
Delegates expect purpose… Sydney delivers
The appetite for meaningful engagement is undeniable. According to BESydney’s Beyond Tourism Impacts 2024 report, participants want far more than sophisticated venues and robust agendas. They are demanding events that embrace equity, inclusion and sustainability, as well as opportunities to engage with First Nations communities. For many, addressing pressing social issues is now as important as professional networking.
This evolution in delegate expectations has been met with a structured yet flexible approach. BESydney’s strategy is anchored in three interconnected Impact Pathways that align the ambitions of its stakeholders: its staff and strategic partners, its clients in associations and academia, and the wider Sydney community. These pathways are activated through seven Impact Domains ranging from talent attraction and research to diversity, policy change and Pacific engagement. Each domain is a lens through which global goals meet local aspirations, ensuring that initiatives resonate well beyond the closing ceremony.
The conference that sparked a regional movement
One striking example of this strategy in action is the recent 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters, which took place in Sydney in September 2025. For Karen Bentley, CEO of WESNET, Australia’s peak body for domestic and family violence services, the event is much more than a congress. “For us, it was never just about hosting a conference,” she notes. “It was about creating a global platform for inclusion, equity and impact.”
Working alongside BESydney, WESNET has embedded accessibility, cultural respect and First Nations knowledge into the programme. Scholarships for frontline workers in low- and middle-income countries have broadened participation, while the collaboration has already triggered the creation of a new regional network of women’s shelters across Oceania. “The conference is our anchor,” Bentley affirms, “but the real impact will be what comes after.”
From the classroom to the world stage
BESydney’s vision also extends into education. Its partnership with the NSW Department of Education demonstrates how global events can shape local futures. By connecting rural and regional students to international opportunities, the collaboration is changing aspirations, subject choices and career pathways.
Dr Scott Sleap, STEM Enrichment Coordinator at the department, emphasises the transformative effect:“Working with BESydney helps us ensure students aren’t left behind. The flow-on effects for their aspirations, subject choices and career pathways are immense.”
The outcomes speak for themselves. One student at Rutherford Technology High School, who once struggled to attend classes, is now excelling in science after participating in a BESydney-backed STEM initiative. At SIGGRAPH Asia, two public high school students from Western Sydney won an international animation competition, presenting their work alongside global leaders in the field. For their teacher, Krissa Diamante, the moment symbolised the power of access: “One of the girls’ mum and sister came to watch at the International Convention Centre, Sydney – it was their first time in the city. They couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. It completely blew their minds.”
This ripple effect is shifting community attitudes towards education, particularly for young women in science and technology. As Sleap notes, “We’ve seen more girls choosing advanced science subjects, higher attendance, and a cultural shift in how students view their future. That kind of shift doesn’t happen by accident.”
Events can change the world: here’s the proof
The Beyond Tourism Impacts 2024 study, BESydney’s most comprehensive evaluation to date, highlights the measurable outcomes of its approach. Almost all respondents agreed that conferences enabled scientific advancement, while significant majorities recognised their role in driving industry innovation, attracting global talent, and shaping public policy. The evidence underscores that carefully designed events can indeed change systems, sectors and lives.
Behind these statistics lies a meticulous co-design process, supported by tailored evaluation frameworks that focus not only on what can be quantified, but on what truly matters.
Recognition for BESydney’s work has been global, with accolades such as the Global Destination Sustainability & #Meet4Impact Award and Destinations International’s Global Impact Award in 2024. Yet the real value lies in what comes next: extending the strategy’s reach, strengthening partner capabilities, and equipping clients to co-create events that leave enduring legacies.
Photo left: Impact Winner 2023 – with Genevieve Leclerc, Guy Bigwood
In Sydney, a business event is never merely a date in the calendar. It is an opportunity to shift perspectives, foster connections and deliver tangible, lasting outcomes that resonate across communities and industries alike.
To explore how to integrate social impact into your next international meeting in Sydney, visit BESydney and discover how your event can move from purpose to progress.