Key facts

• All venues and suppliers chosen for Dreamtime 2009, including those in host city Sydney and those featured in the educational program, have been selected on their capacity to deliver on a strict CSR agenda.
• Throughout Dreamtime 2009, Tourism Australia will follow the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ and will endeavour to measure the CSR impact of Dreamtime with a view to improving performance against previous Business Events Australia events.

Key quotes

• "Tourism Australia’s pioneering sustainability research revealed that the business events industry in Australia has embraced environmental policy." Joyce DiMascio, Head of Business Events Australia
• "Tourism Australia has chosen Dreamtime participants on their ability to feature environmentally sustainable itineraries, and host city Sydney won the bid to host Dreamtime 2009 based on its strong CSR credentials." Joyce DiMascio, Head of Business Events Australia

Full story

Dreamtime 2009 is demonstrating Australia’s leadership in the delivery of sustainable incentive events, through adhering to a strict corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda.

Tourism Australia’s Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio, said in hosting Dreamtime 2009 each of the event partners were committed to minimising the impact on the environment through the delivery of a world-class sustainable business event.

“All suppliers and venues chosen to participate in Dreamtime are serious about CSR and reflect Australia’s capacity to deliver sustainable event options,” Ms DiMascio said

In 2008, Tourism Australia conducted ground-breaking research in order to measure the industry’s sustainability and collect evidence of Australia’s sustainable tourism credentials. 

“Tourism Australia’s pioneering sustainability research revealed that the business events industry in Australia has embraced environmental policy,” Ms DiMascio said.

“All sectors of the industry are strongly committed to sustainability, striving towards achieving green accreditation, offering a growing portfolio of outstanding green product and participating in sustainable community initiatives.

“These commitments to CSR were vital criteria in the selection of partners and suppliers of Dreamtime 2009.

“Tourism Australia has chosen Dreamtime participants on their ability to feature environmentally sustainable itineraries, and host city Sydney won the bid to host Dreamtime 2009 based on its strong CSR credentials,” Ms DiMascio said.

Tourism Australia– throughout Dreamtime 2009, Tourism Australia will follow the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ and will endeavour to measure the CSR impact of Dreamtime with a view to improving performance against previous Business Events Australia events. All venues and suppliers chosen, including those in host city Sydney and those featured in the educational program, have been selected on their capacity to deliver on a strict CSR agenda.

ID Australia champions CSR by offering clients the opportunity to take responsibility for the impact of their activities and offers eco-friendly travel and tailored programs to improve the quality of life for employees, their families and the wider community. ID Australia has applied its CSR principles to Dreamtime 2009 by following the ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ policy, minimising the need for transfers, ensuring use of only the most efficient vehicles, sourcing locally produced food and beverages at all events, delivery of low carbon impact options and minimised power use through maximising natural light.

Qantas is driven by sustainability which ensures the company is a good corporate citizen and operates in an ethical and responsible way, providing strong leadership to the tourism sector and running a generous cultural give-back program. Throughout Dreamtime 2009, Qantas will demonstrate its commitment to CSR by using a fuel-efficient fleet and offering an integrated carbon-offset facility in the online booking tool. 

Business Events Sydney is dedicated to applying the CSR principles of the Australian business events industry and has made sustainable choices the focus of all its planning for Dreamtime 2009. BES has planned the host city program to minimise the use of motorised transfers – ensuring hotels are in close proximity to each other and the welcome event. BES will measure all carbon consumption and waste, as well as the social impact of the Dreamtime event and has incorporated Oz Harvest into all elements – to reduce food waste and redistribute any leftovers to charity.

Moreton Hire is a leader in the field of sustainable event design and production and has designed and constructed the Dreamtime 2009 exhibit in a way that maximises the use of recycled and recyclable materials. Carbon emissions are reduced in the transportation of equipment by ensuring trucks are fully loaded, low-voltage lighting is used and all paint is eco-friendly.  

Ivy is part of Sydney’s Merivale Group and is fully compliant with Sydney City Council’s stringent building codes concerning energy efficiency. The spectacular venue has been chosen for its aesthetic appeal which eliminates the need for wasteful themeing. The venue harvests grey water for reuse in bathrooms and has a greenhouse and rainwater tanks on the roof. Lighting will be kept low-voltage where possible, heating and cooling are centrally controlled using sensors and all building materials are made from sustainable materials.

Australian Technology Park is a historic venue that has been recycled for adaptive use. Throughout Dreamtime 2009, the venue and its contractors will work to the strict CSR guidelines required for the event. Food and beverage supplies have been sourced locally and all leftovers will be donated to Oz Harvest for re-distribution. All theme materials are constructed from 95 per cent recycled materials and will be recycled again at the conclusion of the event.  
 
“Australia’s capacity to deliver CSR incentive programs for global clients is a key point of difference for us internationally and Dreamtime 2009 will showcase to qualified buyers exactly how Australia can deliver high quality sustainable incentive activities,” Ms DiMascio said.

For more information visit www.businessevents.australia.com.