Is CSR important to you and the venue you use?

It makes sense to use a venue that reflects your company’s CSR philosophy and policies, but do you check this with them before booking your event? It’s important that event organisers make the attendees feel welcome and the attitude and infrastructure of the venue is a part of this. Jacqui Kavanagh, CEO of EDGE Venues, share her thoughts on what to consider for meetings and events when looking at CSR.

Connecting with the community

Many venues undertake initiatives that support local projects. In America, some venues are creating co-working spaces which can be used by community-based groups. Businesses pay to hire the venue in the usual way, but outside these hours the space can be used by specific groups to encourage and develop their education or skills. There are opportunities for event organisers to contribute to these community projects, either through a team-based activity or meeting people in need of mentoring or training.

Charitable programmes

Venues often support local charitable programmes and an event organiser can partner with them to give back to the local area. This can be done through donations, not necessarily monetary, but giving unused food and drink, stationery and other items to refuges, schools and non-profit organisations.

Sustainability

Selecting a venue that is ‘green’ is good for the environment but can also be good for the delegates. Many venues are building ‘green’ features into their properties, solar power to water reduction, rooftop gardens and recycling points.

Using an accessible and inclusive venue

Everyone needs to move around the venue with ease and in most properties ramps and access to lifts is standard. However, some venues use braille text on signage, hearing loop systems, and have trained their staff specially to understand these needs.

Diversity

Many venues have diversity policies in place, but just don’t publish them. You can ask the venue about their diversity programme or check with independent organisations such as the Disability Equality Index.

A purpose-built conference centre will have different facilities to a hotel group or independent hotel or smaller, unusual venue and their CSR programmes with reflect this, so it’s worth asking them for details before booking your event to make sure that their philosophy works well with your company’s CSR code.