The research tracked 184 companies between 2003 and 2010 and identified seven key benefits that companies reported experiencing as a result of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It was immediately apparent to me how this research could make an excellent basis for any meeting planner looking to promote change within their organization by incorporating sustainability and CSR to their events.
Green/Sustainable Meetings
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Green party tricks
Some planners use pyrotechnics, others hire magicians, but green event specialists try to make the ordinary, extraordinary. The challenge for a green meeting planner is to rethink and reimagine, and by doing so, they often come up with some green “party tricks”.
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GBTA Foundation re-launches Project ICARUS to create the travel industry’s first global sustainability program
The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today announced the expansion of Project ICARUS, the first global travel management sustainability body, representing the interests of the global travel and meetings industry. Project ICARUS will include recognition and awards programs highlighting leading organizations in sustainability and a Global Advisory board with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America to provide expertise, leadership and guidance on sustainability.
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The golden moment: when social responsibility becomes profitable
Lately we have seen an influx of stories in the media about very large corporations taking large steps towards becoming better corporate citizens. Whether it’s through green initiatives, buying local food, or demanding meat from more humane sources, large companies are hearing what used to be small blips on the radar, and shouting it from the rooftops. People want better, are demanding better, and companies are listening. Of course, doing the “right thing” must also be the right thing for the business. There is that golden moment when social responsibility becomes profitable, and that’s when real change can happen. So, what’s wrong with that?
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MPI unveils comprehensive functionality upgrades in breakthrough Sustainable Event Measurement Tool
MPI and MPI Foundation announced a substantial upgrade of its Sustainable Event Measurement Tool (SEMT) now residing on the evolution Platform. The enhanced functionality of SEMT 2.0 will help meetings and events professionals save money, reduce resources and elevate their sustainability credentials.
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MPI creating breakthrough sustainability leadership with association industry’s first Global Reporting Initiative™ event report
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.
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Saint-Hyacinthe wins Environment & Energy Award at HAC Conference
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces The Holiday Inn Express® & Suites Saint-Hyacinthe was recently awarded the Environmental & Energy Award at this year’s Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) Conference, highlighting their commitment to environmental sustainability.
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How much goat cheese did you say you needed? Serving up the best local food for 2000 people
If you read the newspaper, listen to the news, eat in restaurants, or peruse the cookbooks in your bookstore, you may have noticed a bit of a local food revolution going on. Maybe it’s less of a revolution and more of a revival, because eating locally by purchasing food from farmers nearby, and respecting the rhythms of the seasons is how we used to eat. More than a trend, it’s a widespread realization that we have moved away from a natural, logical way of feeding ourselves that works. My prediction? The local food “movement” won’t be moving anytime soon.
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The Fairmont Waterfront receives ‘4 Green Key Meetings’ rating
Consistently recognized as an industry leader in environmental stewardship, The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel has once again been lauded in the highest category for sustainability in its meeting and conventions programs.
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Sustainable storytelling skills
Once upon a time, there was a talented meeting planner named Plannerella who believed with her whole heart that meetings should be more sustainable. She paid attention to all the details in planning her annual convention: her rooms had recycling bins, her exhibitors were emailed instructions on reducing paper use, and her menus were planned with local, seasonal produce. Her greatest pride was a community service project to restore a park habitat. Plannerella was excited “This is going to be the greenest, most sustainable, most fantastic convention ever!” she exclaimed.
