Fairmont Hotels Incorporate Social Responsibility Into Corporate Events

While plenty of hotels have internal corporate social responsibility platforms, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is trying to get its corporate guests involved in worthwhile causes as well: The company’s Meetings That Matter program lets event planners booking a meeting of 50 room nights or more donate 10 percent of the room revenue generated by the event to the charity of their choice.

Groups supporting the arts, fighting HIV/AIDS and helping children with disabilities have been popular beneficiaries of this incentive, which has been available at Fairmont hotels for several years. If the event attendees want to get physically involved, they can volunteer to clean up waterways, help local school children or support local craftspeople. Jeff Doane, vice president, sales and marketing at FRHI Hotels & Resorts (the umbrella company for Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel), told International Meetings Review that the company specializes in both “socially responsible and signature events options” that are authentically local to each of the brand’s properties.

These activities, Doane added, can ultimately be beneficial for groups. “We have noted an increase in a variety of team-building activities during meetings and conferences,” he said. “[Planners] are placing a heightened value on ensuring that their teams are aligned and engaged with one another. These activities tend to drive that alignment/closer working relationship.” Fairmont also has a dedicated green conferencing program.

Courtesy of International Meetings Review, 30/04/14