ICCA and BestCities GA Announce Extension of Incredible Impacts Programme

ICCA has announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with BestCities Global Alliance.

The two organisations have signed a new three-year agreement to continue the Incredible Impacts Programme, an initiative that showcases the influence of international association meetings.

Co-founded by ICCA and BestCities in 2017, the Incredible Impacts Programme uses a global platform to celebrate the “beyond tourism” value of meetings and advance their positive societal impact. The initiative offers two cash awards each year: a main grant of $20,000 USD and a seed grant of $5,000 USD.

Winning associations are selected for their demonstrated dedication to legacy creation and showcasing how international meetings can drive societal progress, propel innovation, and provide solutions to current healthcare, economic, and environmental issues. 

ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath said: “Our continued partnership with BestCities reinforces a core belief that both organisations share: that international association meetings are powerful drivers of positive change. The Incredible Impacts Programme is a global platform that highlights innovation, purpose, and the transformative potential of global meetings and events. It showcases how associations are delivering exceptional events and also addressing key issues around the world, creating lasting legacies. ICCA is proud to back this initiative, and we look forward to supporting more outstanding organisations.” 

Loren Christie, Managing Director of BestCities Global Alliance, said: “International association meetings drive economic growth while advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues across multiple sectors. Through the Incredible Impacts Programme, we are proud to spotlight transformative projects that fundamentally improve society — from healthcare training in underrepresented regions to empowering survivors of domestic violence. We are thrilled to renew our partnership with ICCA, enabling us to continue providing grants to associations creating meaningful change while inspiring others to embark on similar journeys of impact.”  

Incredible Impacts finalists present their initiatives at the ICCA Congress each November, where a jury panel and Congress participants determine the recipients. Past winners have set benchmarks for excellence, inspiring global associations to integrate legacy initiatives into their event strategies.

In 2024, the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) was awarded the main grant. The International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) received the seed grant.
 

Published by Meeting Media Group, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.