“Put good out into the world and good will come back to you.” Those aren’t just words for individuals to live by. With employees, consumers and investors overwhelmingly flocking to companies with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, it’s no wonder 90% of global organizations embrace the practice. Want them to meet at your resort? We have some ideas!
Comfort for Kids
Of all the worthy causes out there, those that benefit children inarguably come out on top. That’s one reason Lansdowne Resort offers groups hands-on Build a Bike and Build a Bear team-building experiences. Where attendees assemble two-wheelers or stuffed teddies for children in need – and everyone feels the joy! Kiawah Island Golf Resort teams up with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for guests and groups.
Your resort can even customize CSR initiatives by leaning into a group’s area of expertise to benefit local schoolchildren – an engineering company could host a STEM workshop or an accounting firm could teach basic financial literacy.
All In for Animals
Running neck-and-neck with children’s charities are organizations that support animals. Your resort can partner with a local shelter, equine therapy program or wildlife rehabilitation center to deliver a variety of fulfilling, feel-good volunteer opportunities for groups. For animal welfare with a wellness twist, you can organize yoga sessions featuring high-energy, adoptable goats or puppies – giving a whole new meaning to downward dog pose!
Care for Community
Teams that meet off-site inherently infuse local economies with revenue as well as support hospitality jobs in the area. But you can help them do more. Coordinate park cleanups or volunteer work in a community garden. (Bonus points for also being environmentally conscious!) Groups meeting at your resort can even unleash their artistic side and leave behind a lasting legacy by painting a mural as part of an organized, sanctioned neighborhood beautification project.
Protection for the Planet
Sustainability has staying power – check out some of our earlier blogs here and here. The best part? It’s easy being green! Oceanfront resorts can host activities as simple as beach cleanups to those as specialized as responsible sea turtle hatchling releases. Landlocked resorts can offer tree plantings and natural habitat restorations. To help educate meeting attendees about important environmental causes, you can invite a naturalist or marine biologist to give talks to groups – or work with an expert so teams can build bee hives or bat boxes.
Of course, your resort should also commit to its own sustainability initiatives – especially those that are highly visible to groups and guests on-site. Upgrade systems to LED lighting, smart thermostats and low-flow faucets. Landscape with drought-resistant native plants and encourage the reuse of towels to conserve water. Implement recycling and composting programs. Replace single-use plastics with biodegradable materials. Source ingredients from local farms, fisheries and other purveyors. And install EV charging stations to get attendees powered up before they’re on the go.
The most important move you can make in offering groups CSR opportunities is to ensure these altruistic experiences that are true to your brand – and partner with branding professionals. That’s Dana! Contact Lynn Kaniper at 609.266.9187 ext. 117 or lkaniper@danacommunications.com to start the conversation today.
