Sustainability is still not given a high priority in meeting
planners’ dealings with suppliers with a third saying it was ‘not at all
integrated’ or only a ‘little’ integrated into their RFPs (requests for proposals).
That was one of the key findings from the International
Sustainability Report, by ICCA and Destination Canada, which surveyed 248
meeting professionals, including 139 association planners.
One in five (21%) planners ‘somewhat’ integrated sustainability
into RFP design, while only 20 per cent said it was ‘very’ and eight per cent ‘extremely’
integrated into their RFPs.
Costs (74%) venue capacity (61%) and range of accommodation (61%)
were the most important factors for planners when it came to the RFP, followed
by favourable contractual terms (59%).
However, the overall importance of sustainability to organisations
seemed to be going up, with those saying it was ‘very important’ or ‘extremely
important’ increasing by six per cent on a year earlier.
The surveyed delved into generational attitudinal splits, meeting
rotation policies, and how organisations communicate their sustainability
polices to members and delegates.
On this last, there seemed to be a major missed opportunity,
with fewer than one in five respondents (19%) saying their sustainability
efforts were mentioned in their annual reports!
Speaking of the report, ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath stated:
“By pursuing a proactive sustainability policy, and more
crucially, applying tangible measures, our associations can align their goals
with - and influence - the value proposition our members provide. Collating
accurate data and analysis for discussion at a global level makes the messaging
clear: we have the power to set an effective and engaging agenda that can and
will reach far and wide.”
Destination Canada’s executive director business events,
Virginie De Visscher, added: “At Destination Canada, we are dedicated to
elevating the environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability of the
business events industry, in Canada and around the world. We hope this survey
and its findings spark real change and enable us to build a brighter, more
sustainable future together, so the global business events industry can
continue to flourish.”
The full report can be downloaded here.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
