Interview
The next steps
CMW CHATS WITH VIRGINIE DE VISSCHER , ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , BUSINESS EVENTS , DESTINATION CANADA , ABOUT CANADA ’ S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
T he Canadian Business Event Sustainability Plan has already impacted the legacy of meetings and events in the North American destination , but what are the next steps ? How does Destination Canada plan to extend the lifespan of the plan so it remains relevant to the challenges of tomorrow ?
To find out , CMW spoke to Virginie
De Visscher , acting executive director , business events , Destination Canada . She shared what the organisation ’ s plans are to make business events more sustainable in the years to come .
Stories of sustainability The focus of the Canadian Business Event Sustainability Plan in the early days was based on education and
“ Rather than choosing one of the pillars to start with , it ’ s more about finding your champion . It ’ s about finding that individual that ’ s going to dive into it .” measurement , finding out where destinations stacked up and sharing knowledge .
This focus on education is a long-term project according to De Visscher , as Destination Canada is “ continuing to raise the bar in regard to people ’ s knowledge on sustainability concepts across the country . We need to continuously build that capacity and that knowledge .”
“ It ’ s important to keep learning ourselves . One of the important steps that we ’ ve discovered is that sustainability is not a subject that you can be preaching on , you ’ ve got to walk the talk .”
14 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / CANADA