What is it?
The Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) Tool aim to measure and evaluate the positive outcomes from the many business events hosted in Edinburgh each year.
The BEST Tool works by inviting those involved in conferences to provide qualitative data and content which relates to how the conference performed in areas such as well-being, food choices, volunteering levels, and social interactions. This data is collated and verified, and organisers are then awarded recognition based on their positive contributions to the city.
How does it work?
Using measures created by Edinburgh Napier University Associate Professor Dr Martin Robertson, BEST has been designed to aid event organisers so that their conferences adhere to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs most prevalent in the scheme cover: good health and well-being; quality education; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production, and partnerships.
Not only will the tool recognise and document benefits beyond economic impact, but it is also designed to really capture the impacts that communities across the city see when a business event decides to make it Edinburgh.
The data captured can also be used to inform wider stakeholders of the benefits that are realised through the MICE industry, creating stories that are mutually beneficial to both the event attendees and local residents. Celebrating their contribution to the city.
It also offers a unique Edinburgh selling point for destination partners when bidding for conferences or events, a real opportunity to leave and measure positive impacts.
Who can use the BEST Tool?
While the main contributor is the event organisers, there is also the added feature that local suppliers can submit evidence as part of the overall assessment, this could be the main venue, hotel or social programme location, the more partners that feed in the better the data will be.
Who created the BEST Tool?
BEST was created by a collaborative group comprising Convention Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Kimpton Charlotte Square Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection, Assembly Rooms Edinburgh and the National Museum of Scotland.
The project was supported by the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership and Recovery Fund via Scottish Enterprise.
More information
Get involved
For further information and to get involved, please contact Amanda Wrathall on: amandaw@conventionedinburgh.com.