Legacy reports and tools

Legacy reports

Experiences and various tools have been gathered in three reports so far:

The first report, from 2019, takes a closer look at the international legacy landscape and practice. Among other things, the report is based on 50 international associations/customers and 50 destinations.

The second report (2020) looks in more detail at how the international scientific associations (the customers) and meeting destinations can together create a larger and lasting effect from congresses – for the customer, the delegates and the destination alike. The report presents, among other things, the main steps in the process as well as a number of tools that can help with the planning.

The third report (2023) gathers the experiences from 9 Danish case congresses and new tools, and presents a wide range of recommendations.

Legacy tools

Below are some of the tools that MeetDenmark and the association's four congress destinations have developed and tested. There are tools both for preparation and for the actual implementation of legacy processes. For example, there are tools that can help with the preparatory considerations as well as with the steps you need to go through to identify legacy goals and concrete activities.

The tools are primarily developed for use in connection with hosting international scientific congresses. However, it is assessed that they can also inspire and be adapted to the meetings and trade fair area.

It is important to note that these are generic tools that should/can be adapted to local conditions and the specific context of individual congresses. The tools are free to use for all Danish players. There is, however, a requirement that MeetDenmark and the Danish Board of Business Development, which co-financed the development, be credited.

If you are interested in working with legacy in connection with upcoming meetings, trade fairs or congresses and would like more knowledge or sparring, you are welcome to contact MeetDenmark's secretariat or one of MeetDenmark's congress destinations.

Tools for preparation

Prioritisation: "Meeting Value Proposition Matrix" Legacy processes are resource-intensive. 

A destination will therefore typically only be able to work with a limited number of processes/congresses per year. At the same time, not all customers and congresses are interested in - or ready for - entering into a legacy process. It is therefore essential that the destination focuses on the right customers and congresses if it wishes to work with legacy. This tool can help the destinations in this prioritisation process and offer inspiration as to which role the destination might beneficially take on. The tool is also included in the report "MeetDenmark Meeting Legacies – Innovating for Enhanced Value Creation" (see p. 14 and 42-44).

Main steps in the legacy process: "The Meeting Legacy Strategic Pathway" 

Every legacy process will be different and will depend on the specific customer, congress and the relevant stakeholders at the destination. Even so, there will typically be a number of main steps that it is worth going through in planning and carrying out the process. These steps are presented in this tool, which you can also read more about in the report "MeetDenmark Meeting Legacies – Innovating for Enhanced Value Creation" (see, among others, pp. 30-33).

Tools for legacy workshops

Workshop posters 

This tool is intended as working posters that can be printed (in large format) and used in connection with workshops with the involved players for the purpose of facilitation and structuring. The first working poster can be used to develop a shared understanding of the legacy potential in connection with a specific congress. The second working poster can be used to create a shared vision and some concrete focus areas. The third working poster can be used to develop the concrete activities (two versions available). The fourth and final working poster can be used by the workshop groups for the practical planning of the activities (including a completed example). There is also a facilitator guide that the workshop leader can use. It can be requested by contacting MeetDenmark's secretariat.

Inspiration cards for outreach activities (examples) 

Most stakeholders who take part in legacy workshops from Danish companies, organisations and public authorities will typically not have much experience with hosting congresses - and even less with legacy processes or the development of concrete outreach activities. A set of inspiration cards has therefore been prepared, which can serve as a starting point for a brainstorm and hopefully give participants ideas for activities that can address their needs and advance their goals.