About Us
As of February 2025, Positive Impact has a community of almost 2,000 global event professionals, over 40 corporate Head of Events, over 40 Corporate Head of Sustainability, over 160 SMEs with a Race to Zero commitment, over 5 memorandums of understanding with United Nations bodies.
For almost 20 years not for profit Positive Impact have been providing engagement, collaboration and education to create a sustainable event industry. You could describe Positive Impact as the ‘critical friend’ of the global event sector.
In 2023 we began to focus on bringing needed innovation to life by supporting two projects:
Technology to make it easier for your event to have a positive Impact
Positive Impact is the only event sector body to be a Race to Zero Accelerator, UN SDG Action mobiliser and to have education certified by the world’s largest and leading CPD accreditation working across all sectors, so our education is accessed by heads of marketing, HR and sustainability.
Our funding comes from everywhere and nowhere, and every penny, cent or yen is used to advance the event sector so every time an event happens the UN Sustainable Development Goals are advanced and events are recognised as ensuring 'participation and inclusion in decision making’ (UN SDG16).
This is a timeline of Positive Impact's journey and the creation of a sustainable event industry. It reflects initiatives from:
The United Nations
Positive Impact
CEO Fiona Pelham
Key developments in the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Work starts on ISO 20121 and GRI EOSS
Event professionals being work on the creation of the Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement and ISO 20121.
Event professionals being work on the creation of the Global Reporting Initiative Event Organizers Sector Supplement and ISO 20121.
Copenhagen leads the way on CSR after COP15
This article looks at the ways that Copenhagen demonstrated leadership around sustainability in preparation for the COP15 event.
This article looks at the ways that Copenhagen demonstrated leadership around sustainability in preparation for the COP15 event.
Supporting sustainable events in Manchester
Positive Impact were included in “a guide to greening your event” from Manchester City Council, which includes tips for creating a more sustainable event.
Positive Impact were included in “a guide to greening your event” from Manchester City Council, which includes tips for creating a more sustainable event.
C&IT features BS8901 in their sustainability report
The report from Conference & Incentive Travel included several references to the British Standard for sustainable events, BS8901, which ultimately was developed into International Standard ISO 20121.
The report from Conference & Incentive Travel included several references to the British Standard for sustainable events, BS8901, which ultimately was developed into International Standard ISO 20121.
The magazine included sustainability tips along with interviews with Lloyds TSB (who worked with Positive Impact’s sister company Organise This to implement BS8901) and David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability for the London 2012 Olympics.
Sharing best practice with a BS 8901 case study
Manchester International Festival trialled implementing BS 8901 at four of their events. This case study covers their learnings.
Manchester International Festival trialled implementing BS 8901 at four of their events. This case study covers their learnings.
Understanding BS 8901 Positive Impact at Earls Court and Olympia 2009
In September 2009, Positive Impact delivered a series of workshops on BS 8901 across the UK. The event series was awarded the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Inspire Mark to demonstrate that the initiative was creating legacy.
In September 2009, Positive Impact delivered a series of workshops on BS 8901 across the UK.
The event series was awarded the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Inspire Mark to demonstrate that the initiative was creating legacy.
Event managers Organise This also measured and reported on the event impact, which was part of their 3rd party certification to BS 8901.
Manchester: A Certain Future event imagines sustainable event opportunities
As part of the 2009 event, a list of “headlines from the future” imagined a sustainable event in 2020 and set out actions to get there.
As part of the 2009 event, a list of “headlines from the future” imagined a sustainable event in 2020 and set out actions to get there.
Work starts on BS 8901
Inspired by London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the British Standards Institute starts work on BS 8901, a British standard to demonstrate the sustainability in the planning and delivery of an event.
Inspired by London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the British Standards Institute starts work on BS 8901, a British standard to demonstrate the sustainability in the planning and delivery of an event.
MPI magazine includes article about carbon management
In 2009, the MPI magazine included an article titled Moving towards a more comprehensive carbon management strategy which looked at the options available to event planners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
In 2009, the MPI magazine included an article titled Moving towards a more comprehensive carbon management strategy which looked at the options available to event planners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
Speaking at the International Meetings Expo in Japan
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the International Meetings Expo in Japan.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the International Meetings Expo in Japan.
Judging the BSI GetGreenGo Awards
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, was a judge for the BSI GetGreenGo Awards, an award event for young people implementing BS 8901 that was held at Old Trafford Manchester United Football Ground.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, was a judge for the BSI GetGreenGo Awards, an award event for young people implementing BS 8901 that was held at Old Trafford Manchester United Football Ground.
Wales provide a recycling guide for events
The guide was produced by the Wales Event Recycling Project to promote best practice.
The guide was produced by the Wales Event Recycling Project to promote best practice.
Winning awards for our sustainability tool
Sustainable Events Ltd (now incorporated into Positive Impact’s work) was recognised as a “hero” at the North West Business Enviroment Awards 2008 for our EventSustainability tool.
Sustainable Events Ltd (now incorporated into Positive Impact’s work) was recognised as a “hero” at the North West Business Enviroment Awards 2008 for our EventSustainability tool.
UK Green Building showcase sustainable stand design at the Think08 exhibition
They provided practical examples of how they have sourced more sustainable materials and reduced waste.
They provided practical examples of how they have sourced more sustainable materials and reduced waste.
Fiona Pelham is recognised for her work around sustainability
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, was ranked at no. 25 out of the Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine’s Power 50 in 2008.
Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact, was ranked at no. 25 out of the Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine’s Power 50 in 2008.
Speaking at the BACD conference
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the BACD conference in North Wales as part of the Ask the ‘Green’ Experts panel.
Positive Impact CEO, Fiona Pelham, spoke at the BACD conference in North Wales as part of the Ask the ‘Green’ Experts panel.
Joining England’s Northwest Climate Change Charter
In May 2007, Positive Impact’s sister company Organise This joined the Northwest Climate Change Charter, a coalition of private and public sector leaders who have agreed to address climate change within their organisations.
Empowering event professionals to create a sustainable event industry
Positive Impact Events launch a free to join Ambassador programme and commits to sending resources out throughout the year to empower event professionals to use their voices to champion the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Positive Impact Events launch a free to join Ambassador programme and commits to sending resources out throughout the year to empower event professionals to use their voices to champion the creation of a sustainable event industry.
Examples of early resources can be found here:
The Event Industry that can create a better world
Everything you need to know about Positive Impact as an Ambassador
Memberships and meetings
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham becomes a member of the Institute of Environmental Managers and Assessors and attends the Green Meeting Industry Council annual meeting in Portland Oregon.
Positive Impact Events CEO Fiona Pelham becomes a member of the Institute of Environmental Managers and Assessors and attends the Green Meeting Industry Council annual meeting in Portland Oregon.
Identifying opportunities for sustainability in tourism
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham attended a one day conference around sustainability in English tourism. Her notes from the day highlight opportunities for destinations to benefit from incorporating sustainablity into their work.
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham attended a one day conference around sustainability in English tourism. Her notes from the day highlight opportunities for destinations to benefit from incorporating sustainablity into their work.
