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‘Organising a legacy-focused conference means embarking on a transformation adven ture. The Theory of Change model is the per fect guide for this journey. We accomplish this by linking you with partners in Flanders who exactly match the theme of your conference. Together, we can forge alliances that support the goals of your conference. We open doors to key policymakers in Flanders, ensuring that your conference gets the support it deserves. We help you launch the Local Organising Com mittee (LOC) with an exciting kick-off meet ing. Together, we can pool our strengths and assemble a team of conference superheroes. We assist in organising co-creative sessions, where all participants can brainstorm together and come up with the most brilliant ideas. We encourage you to give the LOC a name and ensure that it continues to exist, even after the conference is over. This way, the impact of your conference will endure. Lastly, a dedicated member within the LOC will be appointed to ensure that the positive impact of the conference remains on the agenda.’ How does VisitFlanders do it? Commitment The MeetDenmark report states that to be a successful partner in legacy planning, a desti nation should have a member of staff dedicated to managing legacy programmes. The goal is to help identify potential partnerships and funding opportunities, as well as support legacy develop ment activities like facilitating workshops with stakeholders. Someone who knows the area can become a booster. The legacy development for a specific congress does not have to be a massive, overwhelming commitment. Twelve days of a leg acy manager’s time over an 18-month period is a reasonable use of staff resources per event. Legacy achievements can benefit everyone involved when they are grounded in the goals of the association and also accomplish positive outcomes at the local level. Most importantly, do not use legacy as a marketing stunt. The goal is to leave a gift that will benefit everyone.

Flanders VisitFlanders is one of the leading convention bureaus in Europe, with a strong focus on creating a legacy through international conferences. They always start with the question, ‘which legacy do you want to achieve with this conference?’ A good example is the Royal Institute for Cultu ral Heritage, which would like to organise a con ference about the conservation of historic and artistic works in Flanders. The convention bureau aims to create continued collaboration between the various partners involved. For example, ask locals to help clean a church or another historic building. In the end, the participants will exchange experiences with the professionals who attend the conference. Long-term, they will collaborate to build a heritage science policy. Sustainability One key to creating a legacy is sustainability. In a world where the call for environmental aware-

ness is growing louder, it’s crucial that confe rences not only inspire but also contribute to a greener future. This could include reducing waste, using renewable energy sources and promoting eco-friendly transportation options during the conference. According to VisitFlanders, creating a legacy may involve sharing knowledge, cultural exchanges, socio-economic developments, and improving infrastructure. Organising workshops and semi nars at conferences may help to strengthen local enterprises and the knowledge economy in the long run. Creating a legacy could also include engaging the local community. By collaborating with local entrepreneurs, institutions and resi dents, you can build a strong bond between the conference and the place where it is held, which could lead to long-term partnerships and new business opportunities.

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