In today’s meetings industry, “sustainability” is a term we hear often. But too frequently, it stays on the surface, reduced to a set of formal best practices: less plastic, fewer printed materials, some logistical tweaks. While all important, they fall short of unlocking the true transformative potential of events.
Designing a sustainable event today means something much more ambitious. It means creating an experience that not only reduces environmental impact but generates long-term value for participants, for organisers, and for host communities. A kind of value that’s not only about numbers, but also about shared knowledge, activated networks, and opportunities that grow over time.
What legacy really means and why it matters
Picture a congress that concludes with the launch of a national prevention campaign. Or a symposium that sparks an ongoing dialogue between public and private stakeholders on a global health issue. That’s legacy.
And that’s what gives true meaning to the investment of money, time, and energy that every event requires.
In the context of medical and scientific communication, this approach becomes even more strategic, because it allows organisers to:
- Extend the life of scientific content
- Create educational tools for the wider community
- Launch training initiatives that last
- Strengthen reputation with institutions, opinion leaders, and the public
Legacy, in this sense, isn’t an “add-on.” It’s a design lens a new way of thinking about what we do.
Rethinking the concept of impact
For too long, event impact was measured in purely quantitative terms: number of attendees, filled seats, engagement rates.
Today, there’s a growing need for a more complete and authentic narrative. One that includes:
- Environmental and social indicators
- Positive outcomes for local communities
- Cultural and reputational impact
And we need to be able to tell this story coherently, showing clearly how environmental, social, and cultural sustainability are deeply connected to the event’s content, design, and strategy.
The PCO’s role: from organiser to value facilitator
This is where the role of the PCO evolves. No longer just a logistics provider, but a strategic partner, someone who can hold the vision, drive impact, and shape the story.
At OIC Group, that means:
- Guiding clients in defining clear, measurable ESG goals
- Embedding sustainability into the core concept, not just as a nice-to-have
- Selecting value-aligned partners and venues
- Designing projects with tangible benefits for the local context
It also means knowing how to communicate all of this, transparently and credibly. Because every action, every decision, every organisational choice can contribute to a broader, lasting impact, if designed with intention.
Real value is measured after the event
Ultimately, the true success of an event isn’t judged during the closing ceremony. It’s measured afterwards when conversations continue, when content sparks new knowledge, when relationships grow into collaborations, and when something meaningful remains that didn’t exist before.
That’s why legacy it’s a powerful opportunity to give events the depth and purpose they deserve.