Program

Industry Think Tank (invitation only event) – 9:00 – 12:00
Conference Registration – 13:00 – 14:00
Opening Remarks – 14:15 – 14:30
Keynote Presentation – 14:30 – 15:00
Sandals Resorts International’s CEO, Adam Stewart will share his vision of the ongoing leadership role the company has taken in setting the standard, not only within the organization, but for the entire Caribbean region in the area of sustainability with a focus on environmental preservation and community development and, through its philanthropic arm, how it is addressing life-impacting issues for people across the region.
Session 1
15:00 – 17:30
Speakers: Anna Pollock

This session highlights the positive and negative impacts of travel and tourism providers on the destinations where they operate. The Kerala Declaration on Responsible Tourism will be presented, along with international and domestic case studies. We will discuss current initiatives that can minimize negative impacts while generating greater economic and social benefits.

(Networking Break)
16:00 – 16:20

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AWARD COCKTAIL RECEPTION – Hosted by Sandals Resorts
18:00 – 20:30
Registration / Continental breakfast
08:15 – 08:45
Welcome Remarks/Introductions
08:45 – 09:00
THINK TANK FINDINGS PRESENTATION
09:00 – 09:15
Session 2
09:20 – 12:30
Through impactful case studies, this series of industry panel sessions chronicles the journey of major travel and tourism sectors toward achieving environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Industry Panel 1
09:25 – 10:45

Businesses in all economic sectors are now being asked for higher levels of accountability across their full value chain. Investors evaluate potential risks associated with climate change, resource scarcity and management (fuel, water, food, supplies); clients demand to know how products and services are sourced; and employees seek values-based organizations to work for.
Today’s travel and tour operators not only have to deal with the full spectrum of environmental, social and economic factors from the demand side, but also manage a complex supply chain in ecological, cultural and political fragile areas.
This panel brings together three diverse tour operators who consider sustainability and corporate social responsibly to be a key component of their overall business strategy. Canadian Mountain Holidays, Intrepid Travel, and Thomas Cook Group PLC will present their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives – the main drivers for the adoption of economic, social and environmental best practices – and outline some of the challenges to implementation.

Networking Break
10:45 – 11:00
Industry Panel 2
11:05 – 12:30

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is based on the principle that at every stage of the product/service life cycle, consideration must be given to its environmental impact. Although this concept is relatively new in travel and tourism, businesses within the travel supply chain are feeling increased pressure to demonstrate a higher level of environmental and social responsibility.
In this panel, representatives from three key sectors in the travel supply chain – The Avis Budget Group, Sandals Resorts, and an aviation expert from InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.- provide excellent examples of the measures that allow them to achieve environmental sustainability throughout their operations.

Luncheon (Sponsored by Ted Rogers School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Ryerson University )& Keynote Presentation (Sponsored by Signature Vacations / TUI Travel PLC)
12:30 – 14:30
Moderator: Steven Larkin
In this remarkable presentation, photographer and author Mark Edwards illustrates the powerful lyrics of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” with images that bring the audience face to face with the problems that define the 21st century – climate change, pollution, poverty and habitat loss.
Definitely not ‘another travelogue’ or an exercise in hand-wringing, Hard Rain inspires audiences to search for the solutions hidden inside the issues and to participate in the complex debate about how best to address the pressing problems that threaten to engulf us. http://www.hardrainproject.com
Dermot Blastland, TUI Travel PLC’s Managing Director – UK & Ireland
Following the Hard Rain Presentation, Dermot Blastland, TUI Travel PLC’s Managing Director- UK & Ireland – will provide travel industry context for the challenges and opportunities TUI PLC has embraced in the development of corporate social responsibility and sustainable travel and tourism best practices.
*Delegates are required to sign up for one of the following two workshops during registration.
WORKSHOP 1
14:45 – 15:45
Speakers: Anna Pollock
In this interactive, energetic CITC workshop, CITC’s Steve Gillick will take front-line travel counsellors and managers on a journey to discover how Green Travel is wholly compatible with selling travel products and services.
Your move to Green can open up new opportunities for individual, special interest and group sales, while at the same time help to sustain the planet –and the travel industry.
WORKSHOP 2
14:45 – 15:45
What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
Which businesses have adopted these practices?
What do you need to know to get started?
This introductory workshop will provide participants with a good understanding of CSR principles as well as self assessment tools to help businesses incorporate environmental and social metrics into their operations.
This session will be lead by Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) www.cbsr.ca.Founded in 1995, CBSR is a business-led, CSR consultancy and peer-to-peer learning organization. CBSR provides customized advisory services to formulate powerful business decisions that improve performance while contributing to a more sustainable world. CBSR tools such the GoodCompany Guidelines for Corporate Social Performance will be discussed.The travel and tourism case study will be presented by Graham Lewis of Butterfield and Robinson (B&R — www.butterfield.com ).
Founded in 1966, B&R pioneered biking and walking trips. Today the company runs over 80 trips across 6 continents and has embarked in a long-term strategy to operate as a responsible business in all areas of its operations. B&R will share its successes and challenges in achieving CSR in the travel sector.
Networking Break
15:45 – 16:00
WORKSHOP 3
16:00 – 17:00

Sustainable best practices are moving into the mainstream as the leisure tourism industry as well as the meeting, incentive and corporate travel sectors are demanding environmentally and socially responsible services from their value chain.
This session addresses these issues and offers practical guidelines to efficiently “green” meetings and events. Strategies will be identified through initiatives that enable zero waste, save energy, use paperless technology, focus on local goods and services, promote green activities and increase the level of awareness among clients, future clients and the general population. A “Guide to Greening Canada’s Events” by The Icarus Foundation will be used as the foundation for this workshop.

WORKSHOP 4
16:00 – 17:00

“Measure, target, reduce and offset” has become the mantra of those seeking to address their climate impact. To that end, the Carbon Footprint is the cornerstone of corporate greenhouse gas management and reporting, and the first step all organizations must take in order to measure their emissions.
This workshop examines the context, standards and best practices for conducting carbon footprints, and offers examples of common challenges, reports and potential carbon reduction strategies. Participants will receive a practical checklist for evaluating their own footprint.
Carbon offsets have become a valid mitigating practice among individuals and organizations seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. In the unregulated and voluntary carbon offset market, people and businesses are looking for reasons why they should become carbon neutral; the key components that make a carbon offset “real;” the best offset project standards available (and how much they cost); as well the mechanisms in place to validate that offsets are occurring.
This workshop gives you the tools to make informed decisions about reducing your carbon footprint and becoming carbon neutral through the purchase of carbon offsets.

WORKSHOP 5
16:00 – 17:00
Moderator: Anna Pollock
The basic principles of communications — sending, receiving, messaging, media, etc. — becomes particularly challenging when a business attempts to convey to its stakeholders (employees, customers, supply chain, shareholders, authorities) its green initiatives, CSR strategy or any other sustainability efforts.
This workshop will provide delegates with tips on how to communicate effectively both internally and externally while avoiding “greenwashing.”CBSR will lead this workshop and present 10 key principles for CSR communications developed as part of their Report Assessment Tool.Travel and tourism case studies will also be part of the session.
WORKSHOP 6
16:00 – 17:00

How to extend your organization’s social efforts and support destination-based projects and/or your local community.