afterthought in conferences, something nice to mention at the closing gala. A few donated dollars, a CSR partnership, maybe a headline in the local paper. But those days are over. Today, legacy isn’ t optional; it’ s a benchmark.

Across the world, conferences are expected to do more than spark conversations – they’ re expected to kickstart lasting change. Events must leave something tangible behind: new skills, healthier communities, cleaner environments, greater equity. And in this transformation, technology has become legacy’ s strongest ally.

That’ s where BestCities Global Alliance comes in. With 13 member destinations spanning six continents, BestCities has long championed legacy as the measure of a truly successful event. Now, it’ s turning up the volume, inspiring destinations and associations to weave AI, VR, blockchain, and real-time translation tools into the fabric of conference hosting. The result: gatherings that are more inclusive, measurable, and impactful.

BestCities’ initiatives – including the Madrid Challenge, Commitments to a Sustainable Future, and the Incredible Impacts Programme in partnership with ICCA – have always had legacy built into their blueprint. In recent years, a new layer has been added: innovation. The alliance is showing how tech can amplify beneficial outcomes, scale access, and make legacies trackable.

So, how are BestCities’ member destinations pushing this evolution forward? Let’ s take a global tour.

BestCities at a glance: Legacy in action Madrid Challenge

• Born at BestCities Global Forum in Madrid

• Encourages associations to commit to a tangible legacy pledge during their event planning

• Ensures impact is designed from the start, not added as an afterthought

Commitments to a Sustainable Future

• A pledge signed by all 13 BestCities destinations

• Focused on climate responsibility, equity, and accessibility in business events

• Embeds sustainability into the DNA of every hosted conference

Incredible Impacts Programme

• Annual awards and funding programme recognising associations that deliver exceptional, measurable legacies.

• Provides seed funding to projects that transform events into platforms for long-term societal change.

Cape Town: Innovation with heart A changemaking host, Cape Town is zeroing in on what conferences can do for locals. At the IAU General Assembly 2024, the first of its kind in Africa, VR platforms, Raspberry Pi-powered hybrid posters, and AI engagement tools transformed the event into a showcase of inclusivity. It was as much a cultural celebration as a science meeting, positioning Cape Town as a destination where innovation meets identity.

Above top:

re publica,

Jan Zappner,

re publica- Flickr

Above bottom:

IAU General

Assembly

“ Today, legacy isn’ t optional; it’ s a benchmark”

This momentum continued with the IAA Planetary Defence Conference, which sparked a national STEM legacy through the‘ Guardians of the Planet’ Stargazers Clubs – youth empowerment programmes that turned curiosity into career pathways. The World One Health Congress went even further, supporting former mineworkers facing chronic health issues. Through the Dr Yan Legacy Project, attendees participated in real-world interventions that brought mobile clinics, health screenings, and legal aid directly to those in need.

Singapore: AI with purpose Singapore has always been synonymous with innovation, but it’ s now embedding tech directly into the DNA of the MICE experience. In a first-of-itskind move for Asia’ s tourism sector, Singapore signed a landmark MoU with OpenAI. The partnership aims to bring generative AI into meetings in ways that are ethical, practical, and impactful – think multilingual assistance,