ICC Wales has published a report titled “Event Power: A Force for Good”, shedding light on the immense value and influence of face-to-face meetings in a global context. Going beyond conventional metrics used to gauge event success, the report delves into the benefits that events offer to communities, supply chains, sustainability efforts, and future development.

Ultimately, so the findings, events possess the transformative power to change lives and make a tangible difference in our world. Unveiled at The Meetings Show 2023 held in ExCel London, it highlights how events make a significant impact in various ways:

Danielle Bounds, Sales Director at ICC Wales, presented key findings from the report. It features forewords from Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, and Chris Skeith OBE, Chair of UK Events. It also includes expert contributions from industry organizations such as The Business of Events, the Association of Event Venues, the Meetings Industry Association, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, and the BestCities Global Alliance.

Bounds emphasized the power of events, noting “the industry’s impressive post-pandemic recovery”. Bounds further touched on the positive effects ICC Wales has had on the local community. “Its construction alone resulted in 250-300 jobs across 22 South Wales firms, equating to contracts worth £22 million, and since opening its doors in 2019, the venue has confirmed events worth £161m to the visitor economy up until 2028.”

However, she stressed the importance of looking beyond obvious measures of success and exploring the additional or “unsung” aspects of event impact on local, national, and global communities. That, she said, was the goal of the latest report, which is available to read here.