Press Release
For Immediate Release
20 June 2007
INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS JOIN FORCES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANKFURT TO DEBATE CSR ISSUES
Alexandria, Va -- Corporate and Social Responsibility issues are top of the agenda at ACTE/VDR June Forum
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives teamed up with German business travel industry professional body, VDR, in Frankfurt last week to hammer out the biggest issues on the corporate travel agenda at the moment.
The forum, which took place on 12 June, had a double theme - the two key components of corporate social responsibility from initiatives to support sustainability and the corporate duty of care for travelling employees.
The environmental debate was supported by some industry heavyweights including 3c, the carbon credit company, which provided delegates with details of existing carbon calculators and compensation schemes.
Car-rental giant Avis was also on hand to gives tips and advice on its pioneering green efforts.
The environmental issue is close to the hearts of many ACTE members at the moment and the results of a survey conduced in 2006 showed a third were evaluating suppliers based on their 'green' credentials.
The duty of care theme was tackled by, among others, American Express, and proved to be an educational session with practical tips on how to integrate corporate and social responsibility elements into the travel programme.
Advice was also shared with delegates on how the corporate responsibility issue can be used to drive travel policy compliance and therefore achieve further cost savings and drive efficiency.
Michael Kirnberger, President VDR, said: "Sustainability and travel - you can love that topic, you can hate it, but you can't ignore it. It is here to stay and travel managers better develop their strategies."
Susan Gurley said: "The joint forum between ACTE and the VDR was an important link in a series of events analyzing the principles of CSR as new business fundamentals. While raising industry consciousness regarding CSR is still an essential part of the process, we are committed to developing more detailed and sophisticated environmentally-sensitive travel programs as this concept matures."
For further information please contact:
Cass Helstrip
Rooster
tel: +44 (0) 20 7953 8774
email: [email protected]
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com