New report shows demand-driven corporate social responsibility accreditation is up 36 per cent of Australian business events organisations now hold at least one accreditation for environmental or social responsibility; up from 31 per cent in 2008
* "When it comes to business events, it’s a total myth that CSR stands for 'Can’t See Returns', international corporate tourism customers are increasingly required to investigate the CSR credentials of suppliers they use. In fact it’s vital to winning competitive tenders. " Penny Lion, Head of Business Events, Tourism Australia
* "This report demonstrates the progress that the Australian business events industry has made over the last two years in developing practices and policies that adhere to these principles. Although we still have a way to go, this solid and real change is remarkable." Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia
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Continued demand from clients for corporate social responsibility credentials is driving increased industry accreditation in Australia according to a new report released today by Business Events Australia.
The report, Destination CSR: How Australia is travelling in 2010, reveals significant momentum for formal CSR accreditation by business event providers. Driven by corporate customer demand both domestically and from key international markets, 36 per cent of Australian business events organisations now hold at least one accreditation for environmental or social responsibility; up from 31 per cent in 2008.
Within this group, 75 per cent for Australia’s convention and exhibition centres are accredited, as are 56 per cent of transport and 47 per cent of accommodation businesses. These positive changes are driven by demand for business event clients who contribute almost AUD$6 billion to the Australian economy. (i)
“When it comes to business events, it’s a total myth that CSR stands for Can’t See Returns,” said Penny Lion, Head of Business Events Australia.
“International corporate tourism customers are increasingly required to investigate the CSR credentials of suppliers they use. In fact it’s vital to winning competitive tenders.
“The demand for CSR credentials is also one that isn’t going to go away – the recent Convention 2020 survey forecasting what the business events industry will look like in 2020 showed that 70 per cent of respondents believed ethical and environmental decisions will play a big part in determining which events are attended – which was higher than security issues, which only rated at 55 per cent. (ii)
“Australian operators have responded to this call – the report shows 75 per cent of operators have some form of CSR policies, strategies or plans. There is more to do to encourage formal accreditation but the movement detailed in the report is a big step forward,” she said.
“This report demonstrates the progress that the Australian business events industry has made over the last two years in developing practices and policies that adhere to these principles. Although we still have a way to go, this solid and real change is remarkable,” said Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia.
The report found more than four in 10 organisations surveyed expressed their commitment to CSR principles via the implementation of formal policies. Encouragingly, a large proportion of those organisations without such policies intend to implement them in the near future.
