MPI’s conference report demonstrates application of new reporting framework
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and its Foundation is committed to thought leadership in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability efforts. In demonstration of that, MPI is setting the example for standards-based reporting that everyone in the industry – no matter how large or small the event – can use to benchmark their own reporting programs.
As major events such as the Olympics lead the way with articulating the significance of reporting, MPI has helped to develop a framework specifically designed for the event industry that members can leverage to increase disclosure about event impact, resulting in improved business practices and helping the events industry demonstrate CSR value to its partners and customers.
As part of this game-changing framework, MPI announces the industry’s first report based on these new CSR reporting standards. The report details performance of WEC 2011 evaluated against the Global Reporting Initiative™ (GRI) Event Organizer Sector Supplement (EOSS). MPI was a participant in the development of the EOSS criteria, which will be adopted by the world’s largest events. MPI members can use the report to create their own reporting mechanisms and reports. The WEC 2011 report can be downloaded at: www.mpiweb.org/csr/gri.
“Transparent reporting is fundamental to organization success and growth,” said Sebastien Tondeur, CEO of MCI and chairman of MPI. “GRI provides the most widely used guidelines for sustainability reporting. With the GRI framework, it will be easier for the events industry to provide transparent information on the sustainability strategies and performance of their events. The EOSS is already helping both MPI and MCI to improve their own initiatives.”
Roger Simons, MPI CSR manager, served on the GRI Supplement Advisory Group, providing advice for the content of the reporting framework alongside 10 other advisors, including representatives from the International Olympic Committee, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The EOSS provides reporting that is suitable for all types and sizes of events. In addition to more widely applicable issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and waste, the framework helps event organizers report on more specific issues including attendee travel, legacy of the event, and sustainability initiatives employed for the event. The EOSS can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/xeg3dz.
“The meetings industry now has an opportunity to demonstrate its maturity in CSR and articulate how events not only deliver ROI for organizations but enhance economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we hold events around the world. MPI is committed to providing members with leading-edge education and practical examples of sustainability in practice for our industry,” said Simons.
MPI is supporting the launch of the GRI EOSS with a case study and webinars that illustrate how to report qualitative and quantitative information on sustainability issues.
MPI will present two webinars for members:
- CSR Reporting for the Events sector- What and Why
Presented by: Tamara Bergkamp, Global Reporting Initiative and Guy Bigwood, MCI
Overview: Learn about the GRI EOSS, with key takeaways including: an understanding of the framework and how it was developed, the importance of disclosure, trends in reporting and how that impacts the meeting industry.
When: May 15, 2012, 11:00 AM, CST
- MPI Case Study: WEC 2011 Report Using GRI EOSS
Presented by: Roger Simons, MPI & Sustainable Events Limited
Overview: Learn how to engage stakeholders, manage sustainability at major events and write a GRI report. Practical guidance on how to use the GRI EOSS, what you have to disclose, what you don’t and how to partner with your suppliers for maximum success.
When: May 30, 11:00 AM, CST
The case study will be released into the market in the coming months.
The GRI initiative and GRI-approved report for WEC 2011 are part of MPI’s larger CSR initiative. Key developments in this program include:
- MPI is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and annually reports on its CSR practices and its educational efforts related to all aspects of CSR
- MPI represented its members on the ISO20121 standards committee
- MPI represented its members on the APEX/ASTM standards development committee
- The MPI Sustainable Event Measurement Tool (SEMT) helps members generate many of the data necessary for GRI reporting and compliance: mpi.sustainableeventtool.com
- MPI’s online corporate social responsibility portal at mpiweb.org/CSR provides on-demand access to case studies, CSR advocate communities, industry advancement updates, tools, webinars, articles and research findings
Many of these initiatives are made possible through a generous investment from the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) and the MPI Foundation. IHG is contributor to MPI’s CSR Thought Leadership Initiatives (TLI), which contribute to the growth of the industry by delivering insightful and groundbreaking research, white papers, tools and knowledge for professionals. The CSR TLI is specifically focused on sustainability in the industry.
