AccorHotels’ “Leave Your Footprint” program includes a customized suite of activities and charity partners, tailored to each planner based on budget, timing, attendees, preferences and locale. Participation is completely turnkey for the planner; logistics and onsite execution are managed in tandem by AccorHotels and CSRconnections, and charity partners are carefully vetted by CSRconnections. Possible experiences can range from the packing of school backpacks with school supplies or hygiene kits for shelters, to more complex team building exercises which facilitate creativity and collaboration, such as a scavenger hunt for foodstuffs and supplies for a food bank or community kitchen, a competitive customized wheelchair build, a pop-up arts and crafts studio for the decoration of children’s hospital “birthday buckets,” or a design takeover where participants completely transform a room in a local youth or crisis center, from design to painting and furniture assembly.
“Giving back to the places where we work and play is a hallmark of our industry. Toward that end, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects play an important role in meetings, events and incentive travel worldwide,” said Chris Ruane, Vice President, Meetings & Events, AccorHotels. “One of the challenges faced in planning such events is the lack of experience, expertise, logistical knowledge and time needed to create a meaningful experience. To overcome this obstacle, AccorHotels and CSRconnections have joined forces to create a turnkey solution that makes planning easy for all involved. Together we can leave a positive footprint in support of the communities we visit.”
The 2018 “Incentive Travel Industry Index” powered by SITE Index, IRF Outlook and FICP, in association with J.D. Power, reported that 74 percent of planners intend to incorporate CSR into their programs.
“Between the meetings, events and hospitality communities, our industries have an incredible opportunity to positively impact some of the problems of the world. AccorHotels is the first global hospitality group to tackle this challenge at the brand level,” said Tammi Runzler, project leader, CSRconnections. “We are extremely excited to partner with AccorHotels to make CSR simple enough for everyone to include in their meetings and events programming. The benefits of doing so are unbelievable.”
The “Leave Your Footprint” program reinforces AccorHotels as a leader in curated one-of-a-kind experiences and resonates with the Group’s sustainable development platform, Planet 21.
To learn more about AccorHotels’ partnership with CSRconnections and “Leave Your Footprint”, go to https://www.accorhotels.com/leaveyourfootprint.