Event planners can now record the societal impact that their events bring to the city of Edinburgh thanks to the launch of a new tool.

The Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (Best) tool has been developed to evaluate the positive outcomes from the hundreds of business events hosted in the Scottish capital each year.

It works by inviting those involved in the conference to provide qualitative data and content which relates to how the conference performed in areas such as wellbeing, food choices, volunteering levels and social interactions. This data is collated and verified, and organisers are then awarded an accreditation based on their positive contributions to the city.

The tool has been created by a collaborative group comprising Convention Edinburgh, the EICC, The Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh Airport, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection, Assembly Rooms and the National Museum of Scotland. By sharing good practice, and encouraging collaboration, innovation, and wellbeing, the group believes the initiative will drive positive societal impact.

Amanda Wrathall, sales and marketing director of EICC and Convention Edinburgh said: “Business events have the potential to make a significant positive impact to society in the destination that they are held, and Edinburgh is a city with plays host to hundreds of conferences and events every year.

“Traditionally, we’ve not had the tools to measure values out with the economic impact of an event, so we’re extremely proud to have developed our Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) tool which will enable us to measure areas including wellbeing and community involvement, right here in Edinburgh.”

Using software developed by Edinburgh technology firm Cenefits, supported by Edinburgh Napier University Associate Professor Dr Martin Robertson, BEST has been designed to aid event organisers so that their conferences adhere to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A BEST accreditation shows how business events can collectively contribute to the following SDGs: Good health and well-being; Quality education; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Reducing inequality; Sustainable cities and communities; Responsible consumption and production; and Partnership for the goals.

The project has been supported by the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership and Recovery Fund via Scottish Enterprise.