b'CORPORATEVOLUNTOURISMIncorporating charitable activities into your next eventby Kelly ParkerV impact on both visitors and the hostwith a name that reflects the groups Voluntourism is defined as a form of tourism in which travellers participatecommunity, and meeting plannersculture, helping to build the events in some kind of volunteer work,should make the local conventionmomentum each year.typically for a charity. There is somevisitors bureau (CVB) their first call.Of course, the most important controversy around the practiceWith attendees increasingly seekinghalf of the win-win scenario is the of travelling to a far-flung placesome sort of giving-back aspect tocommunity itself, and its important specifically to practice so-calledtheir conferences, destination meetingto communicate to conference voluntourism, because dependingorganizations (DMOs) are steppingattendees how their efforts will on the motivation, the organizingup and either building customizablemake an impact. Attendees will be agency and the strategy or approach,volunteer programs or workingenriched if they leave with a feeling of voluntourism can do more harm thanthrough local service organizationsconnection to the destination and the good. However, when approachedto blend the needs of the communityknowledge that their contribution will through partnerships with localwith those of the visitors. be sustainable or produce a positive organizations, volunteer activitiesPlan from the beginning to makeeffect for the area. Involving a local can be seamlessly integrated withinclusive projects a tradition for yourexpert to educate the group on their other meetings and events on theconferencethere may be thosecontribution helps to drive home the conference itinerary. That scenario canin attendance who would prefer toimportance of their work and will be a win-win, alleviating the pressureshelp in another way, or guests wholeave a lasting impressionapplied to charitable organizations byhave limited mobility. Diversifyingon delegates.the trend of declining volunteerism,the project or providing more thanCM&E has compiled a list of while also creating a uniqueone activity ensures that everyonepotential volunteer opportunities conference experience that is partcan still serve and create lastingfor event planners to consider. networking and part giving back.bonds, relationships and networkingAlthough exact opportunities will There are a number of ways toconnections. To establish the practicevary by destination, many charitable create a voluntourism experienceas a yearly tradition, event plannersorganizations have a national that will leave a positive and lastingshould consider branding the eventpresence, or planners can seek out 30 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'