For international associations and meeting planners with upcoming congresses in Denmark, a strategic and structured legacy-process is being offered. The process can be used to bring relevant public and private local actors together with the association/meeting planner to identify, develop, and act on common goals for both the association and destination.
Why a legacy-process?
Through a legacy-process associations can more effectively integrate the congress into the destination and promote the delegates' opportunity to gain even greater benefits. New generations of researchers look for more interaction with local companies, organisations and authorities in their field, in addition to the scientific program and the dialogue with colleagues at the congress.
A wider contact with local actors can give researchers new information, networks and a different kind of input for their research. At the same time, the researchers have the opportunity to influence local policy and promote the development of their field at the destination.
The process focus can be on mission alignment and identification of drivers that can increase the legacy impact for both association and the local stakeholders. It can also be promotion/exposure and corporate/community outreach, government relationship building etc.
Concrete activities that may be relevant to promote common legacy goals could for example be local attendance promotion, sponsor development, technical tours, research matching, ancillary events coordination, engaging local business, jobs fair coordination, network clinics, business matching service, government meetings, media support, community event coordination etc.
A process based on experience and knowledge
The Danish legacy-process is developed through research and hands-on experience. Since 2018 MeetDenmark and its member destinations have been developing and testing legacy initiatives on 14 specific case-congresses.
The newest experiences and learnings from the last couple of years will be published on the website in the spring of 2023.
The Danish legacy work is supported by the Danish Government through The Danish Executive Board for Business Development and Growth and The Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs.