Competitors? | Travel Purpose Pact

Competitors?

In a world that often pushes us to compete, remember that collaboration is the key to unlocking collective success. Together we rise, divided we fall.

None. The mission of the Travel with Purpose Pact is to encourage more companies to include Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in their domestic and international group travel programs (meetings, events, incentives). To that end, the Travel with Purpose Pact doesn’t have competitors. Any organization in this space is a potential collaborator, partner, or referral.

Below is a list of other organizations that can help you make your corporate group travel programs more sustainable and positively impactful. The Travel with Purpose Pact has not vetted these organizations, so please do your due diligence and ensure you’re asking the right questions and understanding their cost model (if applicable - some of these resources are free) to make sure they’re positively impacting the destination hosting your event.

If you sign up for the Travel with Purpose Pact (free option), you can use the blueprints provided to ask questions and guide your CSR initiative so that it has maximum benefit to people in need in the host destination.

CONSULTANTS IN THE SUSTAINABILITY SPACE

Courtney Lohmann: Courtney is an award-winning leader, CSR and sustainability expert and sought after speaker. With 23+ years in the events, hospitality and tourism industry, she took her adventurous spirit and poured it into becoming a sustainability and social responsibility expert. She is a Certified Sustainable Events Professional and served on the Events Industry Council’s Center for Sustainability and Social Impact Committee for six years, two years of which she was the committee chair (2015-2021). In 2023, she launched her own consulting agency to help business owners and planners reach their sustainability and social impact goals.

Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton: Astrapto was founded by Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton to provide practical, business-oriented solutions to social and environmental/sustainability issues in workplaces. Astrapto helps clients move the needle through sustainability assessments, roadmaps, training, coaching, and reporting.

Practical: Sustainability needs to be actionable! Astrapto provides toolkits, checklists, and step-by-step guidance.
Economical: Astrapto aims to include the selling points and business case of sustainability initiatives.
Approachable: There's too much blaming and shaming. Astrapto wants you to feel good about the next step, not bad about the previous ones.
Celebrated: Astrapto applauds every plate of food donated, every email you didn’t print, every day you take public transportation, and every time you show up to learn. Astrapto elevates and amplifies those doing good, no matter how small their efforts.
Enjoyable: Sustainability is an uphill battle. We can't change that, but as we climb the mountain, we want to experience growth, comradery, fun, enlightenment, inspiration, and joy. Astrapto emphasizes teamwork and discovery.

COMPANIES THAT CAN HELP YOU INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY/CSR INTO YOUR GROUP TRAVEL PROGRAMS

The Pack Shack: The Pack Shack organizes events where volunteers come together to assemble meals. These meals are simple, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Volunteers work in an assembly line, with each person responsible for a specific task in the packing process. Once the meals are packed, The Pack Shack coordinates with local food banks, shelters, and other organizations to distribute the meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Pack Shack emphasizes community engagement and involvement. The meal-packing events not only provide a practical solution to hunger but also create a sense of community and shared purpose among the volunteers.

Meals of Hope: Meals of Hope is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) that is committed to bringing people together to fight the hunger epidemic. Founded in 2007, Meals of Hope has packed over 80 million meals that have been donated to communities in need across the nation and around the world. By hosting meal packing events across the country, and operating 15 food pantries in Southwest Florida, Meals of Hope has a local and global reach. With over 30,000 volunteers and a staff of 18, Meals of Hope is only getting started in our efforts to end hunger once and for all.

Realized Worth: Realized Worth is a consultancy firm that specializes in employee volunteering and CSR program development. They work with companies to create meaningful and impactful CSR initiatives for events.

BCorporate: BCorporate is a global sustainability consultancy that offers CSR services, including event sustainability planning. They help organizations integrate responsible practices into their events.

Impact 4 Good: This company focuses on team-building activities and philanthropic programs for corporate events. They design activities that not only enhance team dynamics but also contribute to social causes.

MeetGreen: MeetGreen specializes in sustainable event planning and consulting. They work with organizations to minimize the environmental impact of events while maximizing positive social outcomes.

YourCause (by Blackbaud): YourCause, now a part of Blackbaud, provides CSR software and services. They help companies design and manage employee giving and volunteering programs, including events.

Goodera: Goodera offers a platform for companies to manage their CSR initiatives. They provide solutions for employee engagement, volunteering, and impact measurement.

PYXERA Global: PYXERA Global focuses on global engagement and social impact. They work with companies to develop CSR programs that address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Givewith: Givewith is a platform that helps companies embed social impact into their business processes, including events. They connect organizations with nonprofits and measure the social and business value created.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Planeterra: Planeterra is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and community development around the world. It collaborates with local communities to create social enterprises that benefit both travelers and residents, aiming to alleviate poverty and empower marginalized groups. Planeterra's initiatives include supporting local businesses, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering responsible tourism practices.

Transformational Travel Council: The Transformational Travel Council is a global community dedicated to promoting mindful and impactful travel experiences. Through collaboration and advocacy, the council seeks to redefine travel as a catalyst for personal growth, cultural understanding, and positive social change. By fostering connections between travelers, industry professionals, and local communities, the council aims to create a more sustainable and transformative approach to tourism. Through educational programs, initiatives, and partnerships, the council empowers individuals and organizations to embrace travel as a means for self-discovery and global betterment.

Kind Traveler: The Kind Traveler is dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally responsible travel by connecting travelers with hotels committed to making a positive impact on local communities. Through their platform, travelers can support local charities and community projects, fostering a more sustainable and compassionate approach to tourism.

Tourism Cares: Tourism Cares is a non-profit organization in the tourism industry that focuses on sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility. The organization collaborates with businesses and professionals to promote responsible tourism practices and support community development in travel destinations.

Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map: Looking for sustainable travel experiences for your guests? The Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map is a B2B tool that helps the travel trade and sustainably-minded travelers easily source organizations making positive social and environmental impacts in destinations.

This interactive global map directly connects travel professionals with sustainable, community-led enterprises, products, services, accommodations and tours, creating a competitive advantage to the growing consumer demand of sustainable travel and providing direct impact on the people and places of travel.

GoGreen Conference: GoGreen Conference is an annual event that focuses on sustainability in business. While not a consultancy per se, it brings together experts and organizations to share ideas and practices related to CSR and sustainability.