About Us
As of February 2024, Positive Impact has a community of almost 2,000 global event professionals, over 40 corporate Head of Events, over 40 Corporate Head of Sustainability, over 160 SMEs with a Race to Zero commitment, over 5 memorandums of understanding with United Nations bodies.
We are the only event sector body to be a Race to Zero Accelerator, UN SDG Action mobiliser and to have education certified by the world’s largest and leading CPD accreditation working across all sectors, so our education is accessed by heads of marketing, HR and sustainability.
For over 15 years not for profit Positive Impact have been providing engagement, collaboration and education to create a sustainable event industry. You could describe Positive Impact as the ‘critical friend’ of the global event sector.
Our funding comes from everywhere and nowhere, and every penny, cent or yen is used to advance the event sector so every time an event happens the UN Sustainable Development Goals are advanced and events are recognised as ensuring 'participation and inclusion in decision making’ (UN SDG16).
This is a timeline of Positive Impact's journey and the creation of a sustainable event industry. It reflects initiatives from:
The United Nations
Positive Impact
CEO Fiona Pelham
Key developments in the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Enabling Inclusion and Participation in Decision Making with Acceleration Action 2020
This Acceleration Action demonstrates the role of the event industry in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It is a commitment to action for 2020 and a report on actions taken in 2019.
Engaging the Global Event Sector in the UN SDGs so that by 2030 we enable inclusion and participation in decision making and human connection is accelerating progress towards the UN SDGs.
In 2019 the United Nations asked for commitments to action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
This was an opportunity to demonstrate the role of events in achieving the SDGs.
Click on the link below for an update on our 2019 Acceleration Action and our commitment to action for 2020.
Accelerating participation and inclusion (SDG 16.7.2) by using events
Positive Impact submitted an update to our Acceleration Action to ensure inclusion and participation in decision making is enabled and human connection is accelerating progress towards the UN SDGs.
Positive Impact submitted an update to our Acceleration Action to ensure inclusion and participation in decision making is enabled and human connection is accelerating progress towards the UN SDGs.
Upskilling over 30 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offices on sustainability
Positive Impact collaborated with British Embassy Helsinki to create an ISO 20121 toolkit which was shared widely to empower and upskill the FCDO network to be in action on event management sustainability.
Positive Impact collaborated with British Embassy Helsinki to create an ISO 20121 toolkit which was shared widely to empower and upskill the FCDO network to be in action on event management sustainability.
Engaging with CEOs on the UN SDGs White Paper
This white paper explores the role of the SDGs in building the future of how human connection happens. It explains why the event industry is best placed to play a key role in SDG achievement and explores the ideas, inspiration and calls to action available.
Exploring the role of the SDGs in building the future of how human connection happens.
This white paper has been written to engage with CEOs, Corporate Heads of Sustainability, Global Government Staff, United Nations event organisers, Association CEOs and Corporate Heads of Events and any others who are in action innovating to achieve the SDGs.
This white paper explains why the event industry is best placed to play a key role in SDG achievement and explores the ideas, inspiration and calls to action available.
Please fill in your details to get access to the White Paper 2020. We’ll also send a copy by email.
Engaging with CEOs on the UN SDGs
Positive Impact wrote a white paper to engage with CEOs, Corporate Heads of Sustainability, Corporate Heads of Events and United Nations event organisers and any others who are in action innovating to achieve the SDGs. It explored the role of events in achieveing the SDGs and building the future of how human connection happens. It could also be used by event professionals to talk to their CEOs about the SDGs.
Positive Impact wrote a white paper to engage with CEOs, Corporate Heads of Sustainability, Corporate Heads of Events and United Nations event organisers and any others who are in action innovating to achieve the SDGs. It explored the role of events in achieveing the SDGs and building the future of how human connection happens. It could also be used by event professionals to talk to their CEOs about the SDGs.
Empowering 1000 event professionals to be ambassadors for a sustainable event industry
The Positive Impact Events community reaches over 1,000 global Ambassadors, and guidelines for planning an event with the consideration of human and child rights are launched.
The Positive Impact Events community reaches over 1,000 global Ambassadors, and guidelines for planning an event with the consideration of human and child rights are launched.
Contributing to the UK Events Report 2020
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham provided content for the Sustainability in Events chapter, which was shared with members of the UK Parliament as part of the Business Visits and Events Report.
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham provided content for the Sustainability in Events chapter, which was shared with members of the UK Parliament as part of the Business Visits and Events Report.
An executive summary of the report is also available.
Closing our sister company, Sustainable Events Ltd
In Spring 2020, after 10 years of providing consultancy to create a sustainable event industry, Sustainable Events Ltd has closed. Our CEO has recorded a message to share why this is a good sign for the future of the global event industry.
In Spring 2020, after 10 years of providing consultancy to create a sustainable event industry, Sustainable Events Ltd has closed.
Listen to this message from our CEO to understand why this is a good sign for the future of the global event industry.
Addressing the role of plastic in the event industry
Positive Impact collaborated with Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau to launch a campaign to address the role of plastic in the event industry. This award-winning campaign resulted in an app being created to measure the plastic being used at events.
Positive Impact collaborated with Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau to launch a campaign to address the role of plastic in the event industry. This award-winning campaign resulted in an app being created to measure the plastic being used at events.
Empowering 100,000 #eventprofs to be in action building the future of how human connection happens
On 14th April 2020, we joined our ambassadors in launching our grassroots campaign to empower 100,000 #eventprofs to be in action building the future of how human connection happens. This summary report explores the results of this campaign.
On 14th April 2020, we joined our Ambassadors in launching our grassroots campaign to empower 100,000 #eventprofs to be in action building the future of how human connection happens and:
Get 15+ hours of FREE education resources
Engage with event professionals around the world
Understand how to make the business case for human connection in a way global governments and businesses will understand
This summary report explores the results of this campaign and shows that together we can be 100,000 #eventprofs in action building the future of how human connection happens.
We asked our community to champion this campaign and provided them with the information below to support this.
What inspired this campaign?
This campaign is in response to the COVID-19 crisis which has significantly impacted the global event industry.
The team at Positive Impact Events have volunteered to create resources to empower a global community of #eventprofs to be in action to build a sustainable* future for the event industry.
Why 100,000?
A community of this size is enough to be noticed and it aligns with a commitment made to empower event professionals to further the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Who are Positive Impact Events?
For over 15 years not for profit Positive Impact Events have been providing engagement, collaboration and engagement to create a sustainable event industry.
Since 2016 Positive Impact Events has had memorandums of understanding with various United Nations Bodies including UNFCCC and UN Environment.
Why are Positive Impact Events doing this?
Why not? We believe in the power of events to create human connection and we have an interesting community and network which we believe could be utilised now to make a difference.
What is the content for this programme based on?
Content will support the Acceleration Action (submitted to the UN SDG Summit September 2019) and will be based on data gathered from:
My World Events Survey (the only UN-related survey tailored for event professionals)
Input from United Nations Bodies
Event industry best practice
Event industry leaders
Sustainability experts.
30 mins of content will be emailed every 3 days for 90 days from the date you sign up.
How is this campaign being funded?
There is no funding behind this campaign. The Positive Impact Events Team are trained and able to deliver these resources and now is the time it needs to happen. People are volunteering time, energy and expertise.
I have some examples of best practice event sustainability can I share it?
Yes please do! As part of this campaign we will be encouraging the 100,000 event professionals to share their best practice. We will have a toolkit on line explaining how they can use social media to do this
How can I tell everyone else I am one of the 100,000 taking action to build the future of how human connection happens?
When you register we will send you a social media filter/badge which you can use.
Who is the target audience for this education?
Event professionals around the world who want to enhance their understanding and ability to be sustainable and support the development of a strong, strategic and sustainable global event industry.
I am an event industry association can I share this content with my members?
Yes please do!
I am event industry media can I share this content with my readers?
Yes, please do!
How can I get involved?
Register to be part of the 100,000 community on our website and put time in your diary for 90 days so you plan to explore the content we will email you
Encourage your event professional friends to be one of the 100,000
Share your content and best practice via social media (see the guidelines and toolkit on our website
Be ready to take action - who knows how this will go, you may see an opportunity to host a virtual conversation on a key topic or you may have new ideas to share - please do!
Is this certified education content?
No it is not - if you would like certified content please ask your local event industry association.
About the campaign
Will you be one of 100,000 #EventProfs in action building the future of how human connection happens? Watch our recent #EventIcons interview to find out more.
From April 2020 the Positive Impact Events team will be delivering a no cost, online programme so that:
100,000 event planners learn how to deliver sustainable* events
100,000 event planners gain new skills to be able to market the value of the event industry in the language of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The future of the event industry as a sustainable* event industry is set
*sustainable meaning the continuation of our industry
The difference we hope this programme will make includes:
Creating a culture for sustainable events, including building awareness for the business demand from global corporate companies
Empowering confidence within event professionals to deliver events in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including practical resources and tools
Creating the future of how human connection happens (the global event industry) by empowering and inspiring event professionals around the world, including insight from the world’s leading events
Sharing examples of how events can be used to achieve the UN SDGs for #EarthDay 2020
The Positive Impact Events team and the global #eventprofs community shared examples of how events can be used to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The global #eventprofs community joined Positive Impact Events and shared examples of how events can be used to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Starting at 6am BST on April 22nd this #earthday, this global conversation took place on Twitter and via the hashtags #eventscreatechange and #earthday across social media channels.
Watch our Earth Day webinar below where we discuss the future of the event industry and hear about our campaign to empower 100,000 #eventprofs to be in action building the future of how human connection happens.
Hear from a panel of industry leaders including:
Amy Kramer, Market and Product Innovation Leader, Maritz Global Events
Fiona Pelham, CEO, Positive Impact Events
Josh Adams, Industry Relations Strategist, streamlinevents, inc
Judy Elvey, Director of Marketing, Event Cloud Europe. Cvent, Inc
Exploring the future of the global meetings and events industry for GMID 2020
Positive Impact celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day by hosting a webinar with a panel of industry leaders including Cvent, Northstar Meetings Group and UNFCCC on the future of the global meetings and events industry. This webinar discussed how the events industry can help achieve the UN SDGs and our 2020 100,000 campaign to empower and upskill 100,000 event professionals to build the future of how human connection happens.
Positive Impact celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day by hosting a webinar with a panel of industry leaders including Cvent, Northstar Meetings Group and UNFCCC on the future of the global meetings and events industry. This webinar discussed how the events industry can help achieve the UN SDGs and our 2020 100,000 campaign to empower and upskill 100,000 event professionals to build the future of how human connection happens.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2020 with our Girls Creating campaign
In 2020, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Positive Impact facilitated a webinar, interviewed leading female CEOs and encouraged people to share stories of women in their lives who have inspired them.
In 2020, Positive Impact celebrated International Women’s Day with our annual Girls Creating Campaign. Positive Impact facilitated a webinar, interviewed leading female CEOs and encouraged people to share stories of women in their lives who have inspired them.
Creating a sustainable event industry since 2005
Positive Impact has worked to create a sustainable event industry since 2005. We have set up an archive so we can keep a record of all the resources we have created since our creation. Although some of these resources may no longer be relevant, this archive documents our journey and successes in achieving our vision of a sustainable event industry.
Positive Impact has worked to create a sustainable event industry since 2005. We have set up an archive so we can keep a record of all the resources we have created since our creation. Although some of these resources may no longer be relevant, this archive documents our journey and successes in achieving our vision of a sustainable event industry.
Growing our ambassador community in 2019
In 2019 our ambassadors grew to 403 ambassadors. We provided our ambassadors with monthly challenges to be in action on progressing the UN SDGs. We also sent our ambassadors a powerpoint to inform their communities about how completing the event industry MyWorld survey will tell the story of the power of events and create a sustainable event industry.
In 2019 our ambassadors grew to 403 ambassadors. We provided our ambassadors with monthly challenges to be in action on progressing the UN SDGs. We also sent our ambassadors a powerpoint to inform their communities about how completing the event industry MyWorld survey will tell the story of the power of events and create a sustainable event industry.
Accelerating towards the SDGs by using events
Positive Impact submitted an acceleration action to the United Nations SDG Summit explaining the role of the event industry in achieving the SDGs.
Positive Impact submitted an acceleration action to the United Nations SDG Summit explaining the role of the event industry in achieving the SDGs.
Creating resources with Unicef UK for the consideration of Human and Child Rights and Safeguarding
In 2019, Positive Impact Events began a collaboration with Unicef UK to produce resources to support an event to be planned with the consideration of Human Rights and Child Rights. This guidance is a consultation draft that will be able to be used as part of an event organiser’s implementation of ISO 20121.
In 2019 Positive Impact Events began a collaboration with The UK Committee for UNICEF (Unicef UK) to produce resources to support an event to be planned with the consideration of Human Rights and Child Rights. This guidance below is a consultation draft that will be able to be used as part of an event organisers implementation of ISO 20121 once completed.
Positive Impact and Unicef UK also created resources to support events planners with their implementation of Human and Child Rights and Safeguarding.
Positive Impact Events and Unicef UK also asked for feedback on the final guidance for the consideration of human and child rights and safeguarding using the form below.
Please note: this form is now closed for submissions
Encouraging the event sector to take part in UN SDG Action
In 2019 Positive Impact began submitting Acceleration Action plans to UN SDG Action campaign. Find out how they encouraged the event sector to take part and support this initiative.
In 2019 Positive Impact began submitting Acceleration Action plans to UN SDG Action campaign. Find out how they encouraged the event sector to take part and support this initiative.
UN Survey tailored and launched for event industry
Positive Impact Events collaborated with UN SDG Action to tailor the SDG survey to meet the needs of event professionals. Over 7000 commitments from event professionals in 58 countries were gathered in one month and this was the first time the UN My World Survey was tailored for an industry.
Positive Impact Events collaborated with UN SDG Action to tailor the SDG survey to meet the needs of event professionals. Over 7000 commitments from event professionals in 58 countries were gathered in one month and this was the first time the UN My World Survey was tailored for an industry. Read our report here.
Facilitating a sustainability policy roundtable with destinations and policymakers
Positive Impact facilitated a policy roundtable at IMEX Frankfurt to explore with destinations and policymakers what needs to happen so policy enables sustainable action at events.
Positive Impact facilitated a policy roundtable at IMEX Frankfurt to explore with destinations and policymakers what needs to happen so policy enables sustainable action at events.
