The Year Two report, now available online, builds on a growing body of evidence that purposeful event design can leave lasting value for host communities, industries, and global networks. Drawing on insights from 12 international events held in Canada, the study identifies practical drivers for legacy planning, success factors that strengthen impact, and common pitfalls to avoid.
A key finding: human and social outcomes—such as knowledge transfer, civic engagement, and capacity building—often outlast the economic footprint of a given event. The message to associations is clear: intentional legacy work should not be an afterthought, but part of strategic planning from the outset.
The project also brings forward real-world examples. A standout case study is the CitiesIPCC Cities and Climate Change Science Conference (Edmonton, 2018), documented in the video below. The event acted as a catalyst for broader national and local climate action, embedding new partnerships and influencing policy well after the conference ended.
The Edmonton Declaration which resulted from the event has since been adopted by over 1,800 cities worldwide (predominantly in the US) and marks a significant step forward in the role that cities and municipal administrations play in advancing the sustainability of their destinations in a collective effort to reduce emissions both locally and globally.
Through this collaborative research effort, Destination Canada is helping to move the legacy conversation from aspiration to action. The goal is not only to position Canada as a destination where events deliver deeper value, but also to contribute knowledge and tools that benefit the wider association community.