The IMEX/GMIC Commitment to the Community Award pays tribute to events, incentive programmes, conferences, associations or business projects that have demonstrated an innovative effort to benefit a charitable cause. It is judged against three primary criteria: suitability, creativity and sustainability.
The Hands Up Incentives incentive trip to Cambodia proved a huge hit with the IMEX and GMIC judges who were impressed by the significant and positive impact the trip had on all 37 participants as well as the benefits for the local community.
Every incentive or meeting organised by Hands Up Incentives includes a charitable component and this repeat client had previously enjoyed a successful trip to Fiji involving a “give back” component that had made a lasting impact on all the employees involved. The company views its CSR responsibilities as three pillars; charity, environment, and looking after people. As part of the ‘charity’ and ‘looking after people’ pillars, it was decided to spend two days out of the 10-day incentive trip to Cambodia helping to promote and improve education.
A public consultation was held in several communities in impoverished areas of Cambodia and a number of high impact projects were identified. From these opportunities, Hands Up Incentives’ client chose a small village in which to renovate a primary school, build a library and provide scholarships for graduating students. The client felt this project would meet their CSR objectives and give them the opportunity to positively impact a generation that could play a vital part in helping Cambodia move past its traumatic history.
The final result showed that feedback was incredibly positive, with the time spent ‘giving back’ rated as the highlight of the trip by 85% of participants.
On collecting the award from IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, Christopher Hall, Managing Director of Hands Up Incentives, remarked: “We are thrilled to have won this award as it embodies all that Hands Up Incentives seeks to achieve: providing exceptional incentive and other events that not only delight our clients but also enrich the destination and uplift disadvantaged communities. We share this award with our community partners throughout the world, and thank our clients for their desire to make a difference.”
The IMEX/GMIC Commitment to the Community Award is made in partnership and under the guidance of the Green Meeting Industry Council.
