The legacy report and tools are part of a new study by MeetDenmark and international consultancy Gaining Edge and follow the release of last year’s MeetDenmark report on global approaches and best practices in outreach and legacy.
In addition to a model for step-by-step planning, organising and financing legacy activities, the report explores how destinations can choose which congresses to spend their limited resources on in relation to legacy. Furthermore, it explores how to create a legacy eco-system and a common understanding of the legacy and its potential for the destination.
The legacy tools presented in the study are based on previous experiences as well as insight gained from four new case studies held in Denmark in 2019. The case congress were: IoT Forum’s IoT Week (Aarhus), Media Arts History’s RE:Sound congress (Aalborg), 100% Climate Neutrality (Soenderborg) which originates from a collaboration of universities, municipalities and innovation actors in the Danish/German border region and WindEurope’s Offshore 2019 (Copenhagen), which is the world’s largest offshore wind energy congress.
“By releasing this study and the tools we hope to help the international meeting community make scientific congresses even more relevant, impactful, and valuable for both associations and destinations in the future. With the need for sustainability and everything currently happening in the world, we feel that it is even more important to carefully consider and plan what long-term effects a congress can and should have,” says Birgitte Hee Olesen, Chairman of MeetDenmark.
Recognising the importance and potential of meeting legacies for Danish businesses and society, both The Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs and The Danish Executive Board for Business Development and Growth are providing financial support for MeetDenmark and the legacy work at the Danish destinations.
“By connecting Danish businesses and local communities with the more than 100,000 leading international scientists, specialists, and decision-makers who visit Denmark every year to attend congresses, we are creating stronger international networks, collaboration, and innovation. We are also promoting Danish solutions and Denmark as a great place to live and work. But just as important, we assist the international scientific associations realise their visions and missions. It is a win-win,” says CEO Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, Wonderful Copenhagen.
