Case Study
Ideas Exchange 3.0
Overview
The third installation of FCM Meetings & Events Ideas Exchange event series served up a stellar line up of experts to discuss ‘S’ – the Social in ESG. This knowledge-sharing event is designed to bring together industry professionals to specifically focus on a key industry issue – with this one focused on knowing your supply chain and taking social responsibility at every level.
Hosted at the boutique style Porter House Hotel Sydney, part of the MGallery Hotel Collection, three groups of guests rotated around various rooms for informative and interactive sessions, before all guests gathered for a sustainable dining experience at their Dixson & Sons restaurant.
Objectives
To create an informal, small format event that allowed industry guests and participants to engage with the question – what does a ‘good’ supply chain look like, in events and travel? And to discuss the importance of having robust processes and controls in relation to supply chain health.
“As for the in-person event itself, we wanted to challenge expectations, and reimagine how we traditionally meet to optimise the experience and encourage immersion, participation, and collaboration,” said FCM Meetings & Events General Manager, Simone Seiler.
Challenges
With the success of the first two Ideas Exchange events, the challenge for the FCM Meetings & Events team was to create an experience that met the high internal and external expectations.
The event needed to be both informal and highly interactive experience, with an intimate atmosphere that encouraged open discussion – and also inspired collaborative action post-event. All while factoring in a bit of fun along the way.
With all invited guests being senior executives with busy diaries, FCM Meetings & Events created an evening in-person event at a city location, convenient to guests.
Highlights
- The collaborative and fun sessions that set the scene and tone for the event. These included a hands-on ‘make your own cocktail’ session before settling into discussions on supply chain in hotels, airlines and restaurant food service.
- Guest speakers included David Young (Accor's Director of ESG), Allisa O'Connell (FCTG's Head of People and Culture) and Sarah Built (General Manager of AUS and NZ for Etihad Airways).
- A sustainable networking dinner, hosted by Executive Chef Emrys Jones, discussed his approach to minimising waste in his kitchen supply chain.
- The sustainable gifts that accompanied each session included a balcony seed kit, a reusable Rocket Notebook, plantable name tag and a Social Dot (a sustainable alternative to business cards).
Outcome
Ideas Exchange served up a crucial discussion in a way that sparked intrigue and allowed for deep discussion. The thought-leadership event brought together a group of industry professionals to specifically focus on knowing your supply chain and taking social responsibility at every level. Throughout the evening, conversations explored current practices and ideas for future initiatives, with everyone taking away an important lesson.
A post event website was created to host information gathered during the evening, to facilitate ongoing discussions and awareness around what a ‘good’ supply chain looks like and to encourage businesses to place greater emphasis on supply chain health and safety when it comes to planning meetings, events, and conferences.
Quote
“Based on the concept of a salon, FCM Meetings & Events' Ideas Exchange event remained a highly interactive experience which provides an environment for informal learning and discussion, with the aim to inspire collaborative action.”
FCM Meetings & Events General Manager, Simone Seiler.
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