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Corporate Social Responsibility

Meetings are about people. The human element is central to everything meeting professionals do. We bring people together. We are catalysts for everything from education and strategizing to sales and socializing. We also have the power to improve quality of life for the people who are touched by our actions. Corporate social responsibility considers the interests of customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment as an aspect of meeting planning, execution and evaluation. In the coming months of economic hardship, change and continued environmental crisis, many opportunities will emerge, offering meeting professionals added opportunities to prove worth by affecting social change. Following are a few of the emerging avenues:

Volunteer Projects

Many meetings offer pre-show volunteer projects as a way to contribute to local host communities. Ideas might include providing training for students or displaced workers, serving lunches at a food bank, delivering blankets to a homeless shelter, volunteering at a care facility or doing a drive for books, school supplies or food. Internal benefits include great press opportunities and improved delegate satisfaction, as attendees enjoy an additional opportunity to network with colleagues.

Responsible Purchasing

Meeting professionals have huge purchasing power: use it wisely and conscientiously. Ask your purchasing departments to pursue fair-trade, local and organic options for your meeting supplies. Buying closer to the location of your meeting helps protect the environment and reduce shipment costs and support small businesses most affected by the economic downturn. Professionals who practice global purchasing should also consider fair labor practices associated with the production of conference bags, T-shirts and giveaways. The Green Meeting Industry Council has members who can help planners and suppliers source responsible promotional products and meeting supplies. In addition, the following groups can help source fairly traded food products and gifts:

Human Rights

As an international industry, the meetings industry affects people far and wide with the decisions we make. It is critically important for us to ensure the people we affect, both in our own backyards and abroad, are treated fairly and justly.

Are you aware of any potential human rights issues in your meeting destination? Are there any labor issues associated with the venue you are using? These can be difficult questions to ask, but addressing such issues from the outset can save headaches, embarrassment and public relations nightmares later.

Also consider the power you have to improve conditions for others. Some organizations are now including clauses in their contracts requesting not only environmentally sound practices, but policies and procedures that ensure event workers are treated fairly and safely. You can promote worker health by requesting the use of non-toxic and environmentally responsible cleaning agents, requiring waste management training and ensuring that proper sanitary equipment like gloves are provided.

For further information on human rights issues please visit:

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