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The state of sustainability in the events industry

Jackie Mulligan

Director of EnterpriseICRETH, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityProject Director: CSR Global Study, Future of Meetings Research

Research Sponsored by

Combining Findings from 2 global studies

The future

• Future of Meetings– Survey of 1600 meeting

businesses analysed– 27 expert interviews

on future trends that will shape industry

– Review of trends literature

Headlines findings from Future trends

Focus on Value

“The habits you learn during the recession you maintain afterwards, and this is true for executives of big global corporations. The realisation that you can save x million by staying at home and not travelling so much means that the notion that as soon as growth starts, the shackles will be released is a fanciful one.”

Paul Flatters, CEO Trajectory

“The trend is to focus on the boardroom. This is happening with politicians and a focus on how governments and corporates spend money. We live in an explicit environment and there are serious consequences on the meetings industry because we have to report what we do.”

Ian YeomanAssociated Professor at Victoria University Wellington

Blame authority

• Values important• Dislike over-consumption• Critical of authority• Share information

New generations

• CSR Study:– 2300 surveyed and 100

interviews on discovering value and importance of CSR worldwide

The present

Response levels

Central & South America (11%)

Europe(41%)

Africa (0.5%)

North America(27%)

Asia Inc.Australia10.5%

Our Research Findings Showed

Environment

CommunityWorkforce

Delegates want more than the meetings & hospitality industry provides

Delegates - Expects a Formal Programme

Industry - Has a Formal Programme

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

72%

30%

Encouraging staff & delegates to use public transport when going to venue(s)

Example of CSR in Practice• Messe Frankfurt• Free travel for Trade

Fair visitors• Part on payment• Encourages staff• Positive environmental

impact – Umbelt+• Electric Train

Professor Bernd Hallier

Example of CSR in Practice

• Vancouver Convention Centre

• Recycling + saving planet + community

• Plastic bottles to “United We Can” programme

Example of CSR in Practice

• Patagonia recycling plastic bottles

• Reuse = reduce impact

• Recycle one bottle = Conserve energy to light a 60-watt light bulb

Triple Bottom Line

• Holiday Inn – Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators = saving Cdn $14,852 per year

• Fairmont Royal – Energy conservation – fixed leaks & leaky steam traps.

Cost Cdn $25,000, Annual Saving Cdn $200,000

Source: Garci

Emerging economies want more formal programmes and have different CSR priorities

USA

China

GermanyUK

India

0%

50%

100%

Different CSR Priorities:Managing

and reducingwater consumption

Companies with integrated CSR programmes are competitive

“CSR remains high on the agenda of many of my clients”

Communicating CSR is a challenge

What Delegates Want -v- What the Meeting Industry Provides

What Delegates WantWhat the Meeting Industry Provides

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

On the company website Via social media (e.g.Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)

General press In a specific CSR report

Find out more and join the conversation

• www.mpiweb.org/FOM• www.mpiweb.org/CSR

• LinkedIn: Future of Meetings groupCSR in meetings and events group

• Twitter– @icreth– @mpi_HQ– @jackiemulls– @alexjkenyon– @drsimonwoodward

Continue the conversation

Thank You& any questions?

Research by Leeds Metropolitan University