Short answer

Designers and organizers of business events should consider the long-term social and environmental impacts as integral components of event success, not just secondary benefits.

Field
Sustainability
Source
Journal of Convention & Event Tourism (2023)
Method
Literature Review
Sample
37 articles
Evidence
Moderate effect

Business events can generate significant positive non-economic legacies, such as enhanced environmental awareness and strengthened community social capital, which persist long after the event concludes. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Convention & Event Tourism. Using Literature review with 37 articles, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and organizers of business events should consider the long-term social and environmental impacts as integral components of event success, not just secondary benefits.

Study
SustainabilityRecentModerate effect

Business Events Foster Lasting Environmental and Social Legacies Beyond Economic Gains

Business events can generate significant positive non-economic legacies, such as enhanced environmental awareness and strengthened community social capital, which persist long after the event concludes.

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Business events can lead to increased environmental consciousness and sustainable practices among participants and host communities.
  • 02Events can foster social capital by creating networking opportunities and strengthening relationships within and between communities.
  • 03Cultural exchange and understanding are often promoted through the interaction of diverse participants.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers and organizers of business events should consider the long-term social and environmental impacts as integral components of event success, not just secondary benefits.

How to apply

When planning a business event, actively integrate sustainability initiatives, community engagement programs, and cultural exchange opportunities into the core design of the event.

Project actions

  • 01When researching event impacts, look beyond just the financial figures.
  • 02Consider how your design choices for an event might influence community well-being or environmental practices.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the non-economic legacies of business events, and how do they impact social, cultural, and environmental factors?
MethodLiterature Review
ProcedureA systematic review of 37 articles published between 2010 and 2020 was conducted to identify themes related to the social, cultural, and environmental legacies of business events.
Sample37 articles
ContextBusiness Events and Tourism

Variables

IV["Event planning and design elements","Inclusion of sustainability and social programs"]
DV["Environmental awareness of participants/community","Social capital/community connection","Cultural exchange"]
CV["Type of business event","Duration of event","Size of event"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses an under-researched area (non-economic legacies).
  • +Provides a conceptual framework for future research.

Limitations

It can be challenging to measure intangible benefits like social capital or environmental awareness accurately.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings is moderate due to the reliance on a literature review, which synthesizes existing research. Validity is supported by the systematic approach to article selection and theme identification.

Think critically

To what extent can the design of an event actively shape and enhance its non-economic legacies, and how can these be measured effectively?

05

Design Principles

"Design for enduring positive externalities."

Understanding these broader impacts allows event organizers and stakeholders to design and manage events with a more holistic perspective, prioritizing long-term societal and environmental benefits alongside economic objectives. This shift in focus can lead to more responsible and impactful event planning.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Business events can do more than just make money; they can also help the environment and bring people together in lasting ways.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this research when discussing the broader impacts of your design project, particularly if it involves events or community engagement.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that business events can generate significant non-economic legacies, including positive social and environmental impacts that extend beyond the event duration. This suggests that design projects involving events should consider incorporating strategies to foster these enduring benefits, such as community engagement initiatives or sustainability programs.

09

Source

Journal of Convention & Event Tourism

A review on non-economic legacies of business events

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about business events foster lasting environmental and social legacies beyond economic gains?
Designers and organizers of business events should consider the long-term social and environmental impacts as integral components of event success, not just secondary benefits. Evidence: Journal of Convention & Event Tourism (2023).
Why does "Business Events Foster Lasting Environmental and Social Legacies Beyond Economic Gains" matter for design?
Understanding these broader impacts allows event organizers and stakeholders to design and manage events with a more holistic perspective, prioritizing long-term societal and environmental benefits alongside economic objectives. This shift in focus can lead to more responsible and impactful event planning.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers and organizers of business events should consider the long-term social and environmental impacts as integral components of event success, not just secondary benefits.
What were the main findings?
Business events can lead to increased environmental consciousness and sustainable practices among participants and host communities.. Events can foster social capital by creating networking opportunities and strengthening relationships within and between communities.. Cultural exchange and understanding are often promoted through the interaction of diverse participants.
What research method was used?
Literature Review with 37 articles.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Convention & Event Tourism.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When planning a business event, actively integrate sustainability initiatives, community engagement programs, and cultural exchange opportunities into the core design of the event.
What are the limitations?
The review focused on literature from 2010-2020, potentially missing more recent developments. The study did not quantify the strength or duration of these non-economic legacies.