SOCIAL IMPACT LAB

A six-week program for RTOs and LGAs to learn how to define and measure tourism’s social impact in their communities.

82% of tourism organisations told ART they want to measure social impact. Only 12% are doing it. The barrier isn’t motivation, it’s not knowing where to start.

The Social Impact Lab is an online program that takes you through building your own Social Impact Canvas, step by step, 90 minutes at a time.

Join us from May 2027 for a six-session Social Impact Lab to define your approach to measurement and learn how to make it happen.

Session Dates	Session Starts	Session Ends
10 May, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am
17 May, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am
24 May, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am
31 May, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am
7 June, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am
14 June, 2027	10:00 am	11:00 am

Member Price: $1500 + GST

Non Member Price: $1800 + GST

Session
Coming soon!

Complete the form below to register your interest


                

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FAQs

How much time do I need to dedicate to learning?

Each session runs for 90 minutes, held weekly on Zoom. Between sessions, you’ll spend a little time completing one section of your Social Impact Canvas — typically 30 to 60 minutes of focused work each week outside the session. Across the full six-session program, most participants will invest around 12 to 15 hours in total. Everything is designed to be done during your working week, not on top of it. There will be additional reading, journals and articles and case studies to review if you want to further your learning.

Will I be able to connect with other RTOs?

Yes — and that connection is a core part of the program. The Lab runs as a cohort of up to 10 participants, which means you’ll learn alongside peers from other destinations across regional Australia. Sessions are live and interactive, and experience tells us the peer conversations are often as valuable as the content itself. A community channel keeps the group connected between sessions too.

Can LGAs participate in The Lab?

Absolutely. The Lab is designed for both RTOs and Local Government Areas — in fact, the first cohort is a deliberate mix of both. Tourism officers, economic development managers, and council staff responsible for demonstrating tourism’s contribution to their community are exactly the right fit.

Can operators participate in The Lab?

The Lab is currently designed for destination managers and local government — the people responsible for measuring tourism’s contribution at a regional or community level. Individual operators whose businesses are part of a destination network are encouraged to speak with ART and register their interest. A program for operators may follow in future rounds.

How will my region benefit from this?

By the end of the program, you’ll have a completed Social Impact Canvas — a practical framework/plan on a page that articulates how you could define and measure social impact of tourism in your community, and help you consider what you’ll do differently as a result. This template can feed directly into your Destination Management Plan, council reporting, grant applications, and advocacy to government.

Do I need to work in tourism or economic development to be part of The Lab?

No. The Lab is not exclusively for those in tourism or economic development but the content will be skewed towards this. It's focus is on measurement and planning for social impact. No research background is required. If you’re responsible for making the case for tourism investment in your region or monitoring community sentiment to tourism, this program is for you.

Can more than one person from my organisation attend?

Yes — and we’d encourage it where possible. Having two people from the same organisation go through the Lab together means the Canvas gets more traction when you get home. Places in each cohort are limited to 10 participants in total, so if you’d like to bring a colleague, get in touch early to secure your spots.

Will you run The Lab again?

Yes. The first cohort begins in May 2027. If demand is strong — and we expect it will be — additional cohorts will follow. Registering your expression of interest now means you’ll be first to hear when the next intake opens. Come and find us at the ART booth to put your name down.