WorldEvents™ wins IMEX Commitment to the Community Award 2009

For the second year running, international events agency, WorldEvents™, has won the globally recognised IMEX Commitment to the Community Award. IMEX is an annual worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel attracting over 8,000 visitors.

The Commitment to the Community award acknowledges the continued growth and importance of Corporate Social Responsibility issues within the meetings industry and recognises the powerful contribution event organisers can make in influencing client behaviour and leading through innovation and example.

WorldEvents™ received this year’s award for the EAME Sales Conference it organised on behalf of pharmaceutical client Allergan in January 2008 in Malta.

The company’s brief to WorldEvents™ for the conference was that it should include a teambuilding event that motivated the delegates, and importantly, leave a legacy in the destination that the conference took place.

In response to this brief, WorldEvents™ created a programme that demonstrated Allergan’s commitment to the local community whilst at the same time creating a memorable and emotional impact with the delegates. WorldEvents™ discovered that there was a Community Chest Fund run by the government of Malta on behalf of the President of Malta. This charity provides good causes in the local community to improve people’s lives.

A dedicated team worked for 3 months prior to the event liaising with the Maltese Government and potential beneficiaries to plan and renovate nine properties. These included a children’s home, women’s and domestic violence refuge, a disabilities leisure centre and orphanage. During the conference, the President of Malta met with the President of Allergan to thank Allergan for their contribution and to receive a cheque from the company. In addition, he recorded a video which was played out to delegates as well as sending his Minister of Affairs to address them in person.

Graham Keene, Executive Chairman of WorldEvents™ Group said, ‘“WorldEvents™ are keen to play our part in recognising the impact the events industry has on the environment, both physically and socially, and have focused much of our energies in developing a tangible CSR agenda. After winning the Commitment to the Community Award in 2008 for an event delivered in South Africa, we developed a TripleImpact® offering to create events with a measurable and sustainable impact.

The 2009 Commitment to the Community Award was presented to Graham Keene by Head of the Judging Panel, Amy Spatrisano, President of the Green Meeting Industry Council and Ray Bloom, IMEX Chairman.

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