València City Council has launched a pioneering initiative to ensure that international conferences generate lasting benefits for the city beyond their economic impact.
The new strategy, presented during a working session at La Harinera, aims to connect professional and scientific events with local organisations, helping transform the knowledge and expertise brought by international delegates into projects that benefit the wider community.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen València’s position as a leading destination for sustainable and high-impact MICE tourism.
A legacy program for the city
At the heart of the strategy is the creation of a Legacy Program that encourages collaboration between conference organisers and local stakeholders.
The objective is to transform the knowledge, research and innovation generated during international events into projects that address real urban challenges. These initiatives may involve research centres, universities, businesses, public institutions and community organisations.
By doing so, conferences can leave a lasting contribution to the city long after delegates have returned home.
According to Paula Llobet, Councillor for Tourism, Innovation and Investment Attraction: “We are working to ensure that conferences become tools for urban transformation. València is leading an innovative model in Europe that connects events with the city and creates value that extends far beyond the event itself.”
From events to positive urban impact
The working session brought together representatives from public institutions, academia and the events industry to explore how the first pilot projects could be developed.
A key principle of the programme is that every initiative should respond to the real needs and priorities of the city. To support this approach, València City Council will introduce specific tools to measure the social and economic impact generated by conferences.
These tools will help assess how events contribute to local development and identify opportunities to maximise their long-term benefits.
“We want every conference held in Valencia to leave a positive legacy, creating tangible and lasting benefits while helping to address the city’s major urban challenges through innovation and knowledge,” Paula Llobet added.
Building partnerships for sustainable conference legacy
The program is based on collaboration between public institutions, the scientific community and private-sector organisations.
Participants in the meeting included representatives from València City Council, València Innovation Capital, the Valencia Conference Centre, Visit València Foundation, the Universitat Politècnica de València and Khora Urban Thinkers.
Together, they discussed a roadmap for developing pilot projects and strengthening the link between conferences and local development.
Strengthening València’s role as an urban innovation laboratory
This initiative reinforces Valencia’s ambition to become a leading European laboratory for urban innovation and sustainable MICE tourism.
By connecting international conferences with local priorities, the city aims to promote events that create value not only for delegates and organisers, but also for residents, institutions and businesses.
As Paula Llobet concluded: “Through this commitment, Valencia is strengthening its position as a leading European urban innovation laboratory, promoting professional conferences that are more connected to the city, more balanced, and focused on improving the everyday wellbeing of all citizens.”