Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become increasingly important as the travel and tourism industries are surging into 2023.
While travel numbers continue to grow, the events industry has been forever changed since Covid stopped the world in 2019 and giving back to the community is a priority for the travel, hospitality and event professionals as we enter the new year. Smart Meetings has collected our best CSR stories of 2022 to inspire and encourage continued efforts towards good causes.
Experience Cities and People in a Different Way
Team-building activities can go deeper than your standard trust fall exercises or rock climbing. Invisible Cities is a global social enterprise based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and York focused on training those affected by homelessness to lead tour groups through these cities and offer their own personal perspective outside of the standard walking tour itineraries.
Corporate sponsorship allows Invisible Cities to provide skill training for their employees, bring tourism to the city and create a team-building experience that will inspire understanding amongst a group.
Starting IPW 2022 with a Green Bang: Tourism Cares Pledges $10,000 to IDEAS for Us
The tourism industry can reach a community in a (literally) organic way! This year’s annual International Pow Wow (IPW) from U.S. Travel took place in Orlando this past June and going green was the focus. Tourism Cares partnered with IDEAS for Us and other volunteers to a local Orlando community garden. With a focus on environmental and sustainable industry practices for businesses and incentive destinations, IDEAS for Us provides education and resources to domestic and international cities to promote corporate responsibility doing their part for eco-friendly tourism.
How a Special Olympics Event Made Waiting Fun
CSR continues in Orlando! Media production company edgefactory partnered with Special Olympics Healthy Athlete Experience in Orlando to provide a free health screening week and 600 doctors to 12,000 athletes. Although the volume of athletes was massive, edgefactory produced a channel with sports-related programs with a frame showing which athletes were up next for screening. Edgefactory and The Special Olympics USA Game organizers worked together and combined resources to hold an event which enhanced the athlete’s experience and brought awareness to accessibility and health.
FICP’s Annual Conference Gave Back, Set Records
Almost 700 meetings industry professionals gathered in Boston in November for Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals’ (FICP) 2022 Annual Conference. The organization’s silent auction raised $106, 896 to benefit Massachusetts Association of Mental Health and the Above and Beyond Foundation.
“We are proud that this year’s record-setting donations through the Silent Auction benefitted and will make a significant impact on both a local organization supporting mental health and an organization directly supporting our industry. Giving back matters and both organizations play critical roles in supporting their communities,” said FICP Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee Chair Jason Cohen in a statement.
