DALLAS—Meeting Professionals International Foundation, in cooperation with AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, recently announced the beginning of the Events for Communities of Sustainability (ECOS) Project, an in-depth, project-driven platform for enhancing sustainable meetings. The ECOS project, which premiered in Canada in the fall, is a framework to support sustainability in the meetings and business events industry.
This one-of-a-kind project will focus on four significant areas including: food, water, shelter and education. The program also supports MPI’s commitment to the U.N. Global Compact and all eight Canadian chapters have voiced their commitment to participate in the program.
“We are extremely excited at the launch of the ECOS Project, which provides an integrated approach to applying, measuring and recognizing our MPI chapters’ social responsibility efforts,” said Joe Nishi, MPI Foundation Canadian Council chairman. “Business events powerfully shape the environmental, social and environmental sustainability of our communities.”
Program to Conclude in March
The program, concluding in March 2010, will be measured through volunteer hours, funds raised and number of MPI members involved. Individual Canadian chapters will be given the opportunity to choose a specific charity or charitable project in order to give the program a local emphasis.
“Our chapters have intelligently matched their vision, mission and resources with local community partners that work to provide food, water, shelter and education in our communities—all elements essential to the success of our industry and yet not accessible by many,” continued Nishi. “Ensuring the sustainability of the communities in which we do business helps to ensure the longevity of our business there.”
“AVW-TELAV is proud to be the sole sponsor of the ECOS Project,” said Heidi Welker, AVW-TELAV’s vice president of marketing. “Being a socially responsible organization was a clear message that came out of our Employee Engagement Survey. This community effort aligns perfectly with the integrity of our brand, our environmental goals, our commitment to a national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and our industry leadership role.”
To learn more about the ECOS Project, visit www.mpiweb.org/ECOS.
