BEFuture aims at fostering innovation to the business events sector and building new capacities among its professionals in order to transition towards a more innovative, sustainable and resilient industry.
The Knowledge HUB gathers all the information and knowledge generated by the BEFuture project and its activities in order to make it accessible to all.
The information is structured in three different categories:
Training sessions designed to educate, stimulate, inspire, and support business event professionals towards a digital and sustainable transition.
Webcasts
Discover our short webcasts showcasing best practices and innovative solutions from and for small businesses.
BEFuture publications include a White Paper, a selection of Best Practices and other studies and knowledge.
Local and global sessions designed around the concept of strategic foresight, where the BEFuture ecosystem (BE professionals, innovation and research centres, universities, creators, assocaiations, etc.) get together in ‘innovation hubs’ to create collaborative innovation around the future of the sector.
Talent Development Programme
BEFuture aims at transferring knowledge to the business event professionals through its talent development programme. A series of live as well as online sessions will take place throughout Europe.
The Talent Development Programme is designed to educate, stimulate, inspire, and support business event professionals towards a digital and sustainable future having the Tourism Transition Pathways as framework:
- To invest in circularity to reduce energy, waste, water and pollution, and at the same time to better meet the increasing demand for sustainable tourism
- To enhance data sharing practices to allow for new innovative tourism services and improve the sustainable management of destinations
- To invest in skills to ensure the availability of qualified workforce and attractive careers in the ecosystem
In short, the Talent Development Programme aims at increasing ‘future literacy’ which is defined as the ability to become aware of the complexity of the future business and organisation's surroundings, environment, connections and new horizons and how the past and present influence the future. It strengthens the capacity to anticipate change and grasp new opportunities.
This programme is composed by three different types of trainings:
- Global Trainings take place alongside international events such as IMEX or IBTM. There are two sessions of global training, one in 2024 and another one in 2025.
- Local Trainings are organised throughout the 6 partner countries of the consortium. There are two rounds of sessions of local trainings, one in 2024 and another one in 2025.
- Webinars short online webinars will be accessible in BEFuture’s online platform presenting cases of small businesses’ innovative solutions and technologies to reach a wide audience.
For whom is this talent programme?
The training and webinars are offered free of charge to event organisers, associations, SMEs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, academics and other innovators that are eager to grow, learn and develop sustainably in their profession.
Global trainings
These Global Trainings take place in the framework of international events focusing on the business events industry with high attendance of BE professionals. These events include IMEX 2024 and IBTM World 2025.
In order to move towards a new generation of business events, it is important to bear in mind sustainability as well as the possibilities technology offers to create economic, social and environmental value for the benefit of the industry, the destination, the communities and society as a whole. Business events can become a key driver of the digital and green transitions not only in Europe’s tourism sector but also in other industries.
The training focuses on emerging trends and needs of the business events industry in order to answer to this trends:
- Technological developments to enhance (hybrid) event experiences
- Alternatives and solutions in (attendee and supplier) mobility
- Sustainable impact & measurement
- New business models
- HR and talent engagement (Future Generations)
Local trainings
Training sessions designed to transfer knowledge and develop skills and attitudes to support the development of event organisers and stakeholders, as well as young talent.
They focus on emerging trends and needs of the business events industry:
- Technological developments to enhance (hybrid) event experiences
- Alternatives and solutions in (attendee and supplier) mobility
- Sustainable impact & measurement
- New business models
- HR and talent engagement (Future Generations)
They are organised locally at the 6 countries that are represented by the consortium members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands.
There are two rounds of training sessions, one in 2024 and the other in 2025.
More information on local training sessions can be found here.
Studies and research
BEFuture aims at generating knowledge and information that help professionals from the Business Events ecosystem adapt their businesses and staff to a more fruitful and regenerative future.
In this section, we will share all the studies and reports released as part of this effort.
BEFuture White Paper: Shaping the Future of Business Events
October 2024
BEFuture’s White Paper outlines key strategies to accelerate the transformation of Europe’s event sector, ensuring its competitiveness and resilience over the next decade. To stay relevant, business models must evolve beyond financial viability, embracing sustainable practices, community involvement, and technological innovation. As a global community, we've continually reinvented ourselves. Now, it's time to co-create inclusive solutions with lasting impact. The future is now.
Think Tank workshops: Scenario Development Report
October 2024
This report focuses on identifying and defining new scenarios for the future of business events. These scenarios were built through a series of workshops, using the scenario planning methodology, and drawing on input from desk research and expert interviews.
The findings presented also cover an overview of potential implications which will underpin the further development of the BEFuture training programme and our White Paper on trends and developments in the sector.
Compilation of Best Practices on the Business Events Industry
September 2024
This compilation is designed to showcase exemplary practices that can inspire professionals from the Business Events industry in their green transition, leveraging innovation and technology to make the industry more future-proof.
The Call for best practice, launched by BEFuture earlier this year, was shared across Europe and beyond. Our aim: sparking new ideas to help the business events’ industry tackle issues such as reducing emissions, advancing social sustainability, boosting event experiences with VR technology and AI, transitioning to new business models, and much more.
Hopefully, the work showcased will inspire you to become a part of the change!
Boosting Innovation
Innovation is key in order to walk towards a better future. Businesses, professionals and society in general needs to change its mindset and be innovative and adapt to the trends and needs.
For this reason BEFuture focuses on boosting innovation via the creation of spaces and events where creative minds have the chance to get together and innovate in order to improve processes, change mindsets, and create new business models.
The Innovation Forum and Innovation Hubs are sessions that enable us to learn from each other and get inspired. These sessions are designed around the concept of strategic foresight, where local knowledge providers such as innovation and research centres, and universities come together as ‘innovation hubs’ to create collaborative innovation.
Innovation Forum
During this one-day event, inspirational presentations about trends and challenges related to the BEFuture main topics were given by international experts. The Forum, held on 18 November 2024 in Barcelona, also included activities that stimulate creativity. In addition, participants collaborated in transnational teams in thematic workshops where new ideas were shared and developed.
The Hackathon session: accelerating innovative ideas
This co-ideation session, organised during the Innovation Forum, brought together future applicants of the BEFuture Acceleration Programme, future mentors and experts in the field of business events, sustainability and technology. The session was based on pitches from ten innovators who presented their project proposals, followed by discussions to validate and accelerate these innovations. The process delivered many actionable insights!
The BEFuture Innovation Forum Hackathon: read the summary report.
Innovation Hubs
User-centered innovation sessions, such as cocreation workshops, challenge-driven and designed around the approach of strategic foresight.
The workshops shall bring together professionals in order to get engaged in an innovative, collaborative process to generate ideas, which then could be used to develop innovative concepts/projects.
The local innovation sessions are hosted locally by each consortium partner in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands.
The sessions will be performed by trained moderators for approximately 20 participants.
See here when and where sessions take place in your country!
Who can participate in the innovation sessions?
Local SMEs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, academics and other innovators are welcome to participate. They aim to generate and develop innovative concepts and projects. Participants are welcome from:
Digital industries
For developing digitalised processes, use of AI and new technologies, empower consumers’ sustainable choices and data-based innovative tourism services
Agri-food
For improving food systems and services, reliable local supply chains and reduced food waste for hospitality
Construction
For building and renovating more sustainable and resilient BE to Business Events infrastructures, amongst other
Mobility
For technological and electric transportation alternatives and social solutions and business models based on social sharing
Event industry
Organising agencies, associations, venues and suppliers within the business event and MICE value chain
Local community
To participate in finding solutions that contribute to local economic, social, physical and mental well-being
Would you like to get involved in our activities and help boost innovation and knowledge across the business event sector?
Support organisations:
Contact
- Follow BEFuture's journey on LinkedIn for updates and insights. For inquiries, you can email us at: contact@be-future.eu.
- YouTube