Evaluating the benefits of conferences is an essential process for assessing the value produced by the activities of the conference. However, current evaluation tools in the sector remain underdeveloped, often focusing narrowly on delegate satisfaction and tourism outcomes, metrics that overlook the deeper, transformative potential of conferences. This article addresses this gap by introducing a set of empirically grounded constructs that define and categorize broader conference benefits. Drawing on 15 years of international research, the article identifies constructs relevant to three key communities—scientific, destination, and global—and offers a foundation for developing qualitative and quantitative research instruments. Each construct is derived from empirical evidence and grouped according to its primary beneficiary. The constructs presented serve as initial reference points that reflect current knowledge and aim to guide future research and practice in evaluating the broader value of conferences.
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Carmel Foley, Deborah Edwards, Anja Hergesell, Nina Iversen and Leif Hem
Founder members of the Global Impact Measurement Tool for Association Conferences