We knew business events were powerful.
Now we can prove it.
Across Canada, business events do far more than generate short-term economic activity. When intentionally designed, they influence policy, attract investment, strengthen sectors and elevate destinations. Our Legacy & Impact Study reveals how they drive long-term change—and how to deliver extraordinary impact and lasting legacy.
We knew business events were powerful.
Now we can prove it.
Across Canada, business events do far more than generate short-term economic activity. When intentionally designed, they influence policy, attract investment, strengthen sectors and elevate destinations. Our Legacy & Impact Study reveals how they drive long-term change—and how to deliver extraordinary impact and lasting legacy.
What is the Legacy & Impact Study?
Destination Canada’s Legacy & Impact Study provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of how events create lasting economic, social and environmental impact.
Over three years, in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and GainingEdge, we analyzed thousands of data points from 15 global events hosted across Canada in key sectors.
The findings are clear: impact is not accidental—it is engineered.
What is the Legacy & Impact Study?
Destination Canada’s Legacy & Impact Study provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of how events create lasting economic, social and environmental impact.
Over three years, in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and GainingEdge, we analyzed thousands of data points from 15 global events hosted across Canada in key sectors.
The findings are clear: impact is not accidental—it is engineered.
Why legacy matters for your next event
Turn insights into impact—and deliver greater value from every event.
For strategic leaders
Achieve long-term objectives, attract investment, influence policy and develop sectors.
For sector associations
Advance member priorities, accelerate learning, strengthen networks and drive change.
For meeting planners
Deliver meaningful experiences, attract stronger partners and increase event relevance.
For destinations
Strengthen communities, build economic resilience and elevate reputation.
A blueprint for legacy
Business events decision makers can deliver extraordinary impact by harnessing five key insights.
A blueprint for legacy
Business events decision makers can deliver extraordinary impact by harnessing five key insights.
The full potential of events
Business events create opportunities for collaboration, learning and resilience—delivering value far beyond short-term economic impact. The Legacy & Impact Study tracked outcomes across eight interconnected areas, from intellectual, social, human and cultural outcomes to impacts on funding, policy, infrastructure and the environment.
The findings show business events are powerful tools for achieving long-term objectives—delivering enduring value across sectors, communities and destinations.
For example, the 2023 International Conference on Isotopes in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, helped accelerate new isotope production and strengthen global supply chains for cancer treatment.
The full potential of events
Business events create opportunities for collaboration, learning and resilience—delivering value far beyond short-term economic impact. The Legacy & Impact Study tracked outcomes across eight interconnected areas, from intellectual, social, human and cultural outcomes to impacts on funding, policy, infrastructure and the environment.
The findings show business events are powerful tools for achieving long-term objectives—delivering enduring value across sectors, communities and destinations.
For example, the 2023 International Conference on Isotopes in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, helped accelerate new isotope production and strengthen global supply chains for cancer treatment.
Impact as a chain reaction
When an event evolves from a one-time gathering into a catalyst for change, it unfolds as a chain reaction. The Legacy & Impact Study shows that each outcome builds on the last, creating momentum across five levels—from individuals and organizations to communities, sectors and destinations. For an event to achieve lasting impact, it must progress through each level.
This model provides a practical way for business event decision makers to understand how early outcomes translate into long-term impact—and how to strengthen impact over time.
Impact as a chain reaction
When an event evolves from a one-time gathering into a catalyst for change, it unfolds as a chain reaction. The Legacy & Impact Study shows that each outcome builds on the last, creating momentum across five levels—from individuals and organizations to communities, sectors and destinations. For an event to achieve lasting impact, it must progress through each level.
This model provides a practical way for business event decision makers to understand how early outcomes translate into long-term impact—and how to strengthen impact over time.
The foundations of legacy
For an event to create a lasting legacy, impact must be embedded from the outset. It requires a deliberate approach that carries through event design, delivery, and the months and years that follow.
The Legacy & Impact Study shows that events delivering extraordinary impact consistently demonstrate three foundations: intentional design, strategic collaborations and sustained stewardship.
For meeting planners and destination organizations, these foundations provide a clear starting point for designing events with long-term impact in mind.
For example, the 2022 Insects to Feed the World Conference in Québec City, Québec started with a strategic action plan as a roadmap to track, measure and share achievements.
The foundations of legacy
For an event to create a lasting legacy, impact must be embedded from the outset. It requires a deliberate approach that carries through event design, delivery, and the months and years that follow.
The Legacy & Impact Study shows that events delivering extraordinary impact consistently demonstrate three foundations: intentional design, strategic collaborations and sustained stewardship.
For meeting planners and destination organizations, these foundations provide a clear starting point for designing events with long-term impact in mind.
For example, the 2022 Insects to Feed the World Conference in Québec City, Québec started with a strategic action plan as a roadmap to track, measure and share achievements.
Impact accelerators
The Legacy & Impact Study identified 18 impact accelerators that expand and deepen outcomes across systems and sectors. Some are pre-existing success factors, while others are deliberate legacy drivers of long-term impact.
When applied effectively, they strengthen outcomes across multiple areas—ensuring events deliver lasting value.
These accelerators offer practical levers that planners and decision makers can use to strengthen outcomes and maximize the long-term value of their events.
Impact accelerators
The Legacy & Impact Study identified 18 impact accelerators that expand and deepen outcomes across systems and sectors. Some are pre-existing success factors, while others are deliberate legacy drivers of long-term impact.
When applied effectively, they strengthen outcomes across multiple areas—ensuring events deliver lasting value.
These accelerators offer practical levers that planners and decision makers can use to strengthen outcomes and maximize the long-term value of their events.
The power of inclusion
Inclusion shapes the legitimacy, social licence and quality of business event outcomes. The Legacy & Impact Study highlights how decision makers are increasingly embedding inclusive values into event planning, content and community engagement.
This goes beyond representation—it creates role models, develops future leaders and builds global communities.
For organizers and destinations, designing for inclusion ensures diverse perspectives shape outcomes, leading to more widely shared and lasting benefits.
For example, the 2024 One Young World Summit in Montréal, Québec amplified Indigenous voices through dedicated programming, strengthening representation and global dialogue.
The power of inclusion
Inclusion shapes the legitimacy, social licence and quality of business event outcomes. The Legacy & Impact Study highlights how decision makers are increasingly embedding inclusive values into event planning, content and community engagement.
This goes beyond representation—it creates role models, develops future leaders and builds global communities.
For organizers and destinations, designing for inclusion ensures diverse perspectives shape outcomes, leading to more widely shared and lasting benefits.
For example, the 2024 One Young World Summit in Montréal, Québec amplified Indigenous voices through dedicated programming, strengthening representation and global dialogue.
Create outcomes that outlast your event
The evidence is clear. Business events can deliver far more than short-term returns—when designed with intention. Download the full report to explore the insights, frameworks and real-world case studies shaping the future of business events.
Download previous reports
The Legacy & Impact Study builds on multiple years of research. Access earlier reports to see how insights have evolved over time.
Download previous reports
The Legacy & Impact Study builds on multiple years of research. Access earlier reports to see how insights have evolved over time.
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