Destination Canada Launches First-Ever Sustainability Plan for Canadian Trade Events
The national plan will deliver turnkey economic, social and environmental sustainability programs to global clients to spur action and elevate the standards of trade event sustainability across Canada
VANCOUVER, BC, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Destination Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its Canadian Business Events Sustainability Plan, a unique national program aimed at improving the economic, social and environmental sustainability practices of business events held in Canada. Workable programs tailored to the unique Sustainable Development Goals individual cities will be rolled out to global customers to accelerate industry progress towards net zero goals.
Coaching, training and education opportunities will be offered to more than 20 national partners to build on their existing sustainability programs and support the implementation of new programs through trade events held in Canada. In particular, the plan will focus on international association conferences, trade exhibitions, workshops and seminars, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events.
“Developing and launching sustainable trade event programs is no longer an option. If our industry is to achieve net zero goals by 2050 at the latest, the entire supply chain must work in partnership to find and implement powerful solutions,” said Virginie DeVischer, Senior Director of Business Development, Economic Sectors, Destination Canada Business Events. “As one of the first national sustainability plans for business events in the world, Destination Canada’s Canadian Business Events Sustainability Plan will provide a national support arm to this supply chain and be the figurative rising tide that lifts all ships.
In line with Destination Canada’s corporate strategy, the Canadian Trade Events Sustainability Plan will be informed by an evidence base established through a national destination evaluation study. The study will assess where Canadian cities, as hosts of business events, stand today in terms of existing sustainability initiatives and will be used to measure and track changes in the years to come.
“We want to do things right and we want to hold ourselves accountable,” added De Visscher. “By establishing a baseline for impact and evaluating the sustainable development goals and actions already undertaken by our national partners – such as Tourisme Montréal’s new Harmonious Destination strategy in partnership with Aéroports de Montréal and the compensation program for GES Carbone Boréal and Destination Vancouver’s program with Binners’ Project that has already enabled the city to divert 75% of waste generated by commercial events, out of landfills – we are creating a marker of change. We all have a responsibility to economically, socially and ecologically benefit host communities and global ecosystems. We believe the Canadian Trade Events Sustainability Plan will enable our team, partners and clients to do just that and, ultimately, to foster a regenerative tourism ecosystem that produces positive net benefits for all Canadians.
Along with its Canadian Trade Events Sustainability Plan, Destination Canada commissioned a Legacy Impact Study. Led by #MEET4IMPACT and Gaining Edge, the multi-year study will assess the benefits beyond tourism that international business events generate in host communities, in line with the fundamental sustainability pillars of economic, social and environmental enrichment. .
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“This plan gives us a real opportunity to advance the sustainability of the business events industry. This is an important milestone not just for Destination Canada, but for our industry as a whole and we are very proud to lead it. .”
Chantal Sturk Nadeau
Executive Director, Business Events, Destination Canada
“Now is the time to from Canada revival of tourism. As we focus on near-term revenue recovery, Destination Canada strives to foster the growth of tourism that generates real wealth and well-being for Canada in the longer term, while enriching the lives of our guests. With a smarter approach to future growth, we can strengthen business prosperity, drive socio-cultural vibrancy and improve environmental sustainability. Our Trade Events Sustainability Plan is an important step towards a healthier, more productive and more prosperous industry. »
Marsha Walden
President and CEO, Destination Canada
About Destination Canada:
At Destination Canada, we believe that tourism improves the quality of life of Canadians and enriches the lives of visitors. We believe that from Canada diversity, its greatest richness, is also what most deeply touches the hearts of travellers. Our mission is to influence supply and create demand for the benefit of residents, communities and visitors through cutting-edge research, public and private sector alignment and marketing. Canada nationally and abroad. Our destination development work ensures that we develop a leading four-season tourism economy that is community-centered and regenerative in nature – catalyzing thriving commerce, culture and reconciliation.
Destination from Canada The Business Events team is tasked with growing from Canada participates in international business events by promoting the country’s unique meeting, convention and incentive opportunities. By raising awareness from Canada key economic assets and how local knowledge capital can enhance business events, Destination Canada’s business events team helps international organizations achieve their goal in Canada.
Destination Canada is a Crown corporation 100% owned by the Government of Canada.
For more information, visit http://www.destinationcanada.com.
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