Taking strides to make a positive difference in the world is becoming more and more common in the events industry now, with many venues, organizations and companies joining forces with national charitable efforts or creating their own CSR initiatives to help foster a more compassionate and inclusive society. Here are a few examples to be inspired by!

Javits Center Lights Up with Pride

New York City’s Javits Center recently celebrated its support for the LGBTQ+ community by participating in an inaugural five-borough rainbow lighting celebration to honor the queer community and the first WorldPride in the U.S. From June 26-30, the ceiling of Javits Center’s Crystal Palace glowed with all the colors of the rainbow. 

Facilitated by NYC & Company, the five-borough lighting is part of Project Rainbow, the CVB’s larger destination marketing initiative, an effort that empowers member businesses to unify their branding in celebration of WorldPride and in solidarity with what it represents. 

Throughout the month of June, locals and approximately 4 million visitors witnessed heartfelt expressions of LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance across The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island that were aligned with both the celebration and the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

Among other efforts, NYC & Company dubbed 2019 “The Year of Pride” to spotlight exhibitions, events and activities at cultural organizations across the five boroughs before, during and after the official events. In all, 19 venues, hotels, buildings, attractions and other partners activated LGBTQ+-inspired rainbow lightings across the city. 

“We are so grateful to all of our lighting partners for commemorating this significant milestone and helping us welcome as many as 4 million travelers who will experience our city’s diversity, inclusivity and vibrant spirit,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s president and CEO. 

CSI DMC Helps Homeless Pets

Who wouldn’t want to bring their beloved fur baby to work while supporting rescue organizations that find loving homes for homeless pets? 

Last month, event management company CSI DMC demonstrated its love for animals with its “Take Your Pet to Work Week,” a week-long extension of “National Take Your Pet to Work Day,” which took place June 21. 

During the pup-friendly event, employees from the company’s Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax) and Washington, DC offices raised $300 on behalf of their dogs for Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, a local nonprofit organization that pulls dogs and cats from high-kill shelters and finds them homes in the DC metropolitan area. 

The company even arranged a “puppy break” activity at its Fairfax County office, during which the rescue brought in adoptable dogs to meet the CSI team.

CSI President Amberlee Huggins has fostered four puppies from Homeward Trails, while several employees have fostered and adopted dogs from the organization, according to company officials. 

While this was the first year CSI decided the celebrate the “howliday,” something it plans to do again next year, the company maintains a pet-friendly office culture that has provided its workplaces with a host of benefits.

“Having pets in the office adds so much energy to the day,” said Michelle Sinofsky, creative services coordinator for CSI. “Not only is it a great comfort to have animals around, but it’s a reason for our team to get together for puppy breaks and afternoon walks. Most of us have met each other’s pets before, so it’s always exciting to see familiar furry faces!”

Legacy Logistics Promotes Sun Safety for Kids

In honor of National Sunglasses Day and UV Safety Awareness Month, event transportation company Legacy Logistics created and sponsored a Summer UV Safety Series benefiting approximately 500 summer campers ages 5-14 at five Olivet Boys and Girls Club locations in the Reading, Pennsylvania area. 

As a part of the series and along with ICU Eyewear, the company donated $8,000-$9,000 in sunscreen and sunglasses for the June 26-27 event celebrating National Sunglasses Day, and for the July 18-19 program during UV Safety Awareness Month.

At each event, kids receive sun safety education from the Berks County Vision Resource Center, summer care packages that include UV protective/polarized sunglasses by ICU Eyewear, sunscreen and snacks, as well as access to fun amenities including a photo booth and frozen treats from an ice cream truck.  

“The Vision Council and our vision care clients inspired us to drive awareness in our community about UV safety and protection,” explained Ernie Magalotti, president of Legacy Logistics, an active service provider and member of The Vision Council that provides transportation solutions for vision-related trade show exhibitors.

He continued, “We sponsored this summer series to promote the importance of sunglasses and UV protection to local children through fun activities and knowledge they can use throughout their lives. If one child actively uses sunscreen or sunglasses after these events, we have done our jobs.”

PMMI Foundation Supports Summer Manufacturing Camps

The PMMI Foundation and Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs are teaming up to develop summer camps designed to educate and inspire the future manufacturing workforce to explore career opportunities in packaging and processing. The Foundation is supporting 20 summer manufacturing camps in 2020 and 2021 with a $100,000 grant to NBT, the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International.

The grant will allow approximately 300 students ages 12-16 to be introduced to the manufacturing process from design through production, according to PMMI officials. 

“One of the most wide-spread challenges cited by our members is how to address the growing skills gap within the packaging and processing equipment manufacturing industry,” explained Jim Pittas, PMMI president and CEO. “The partnership between the PMMI Foundation and Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs is an exciting opportunity to reach and inspire young people to pursue careers in manufacturing.” 

As a successful way to introduce middle and high school students to the high-tech career choices available in the manufacturing industry, the one or two-week-long camps allow students to make something with their hands and be inspired to consider manufacturing as a career path. This summer, NBT will support a record number of 133 camps across the U.S.

“The associated tours of manufacturing businesses that these campers take part in help to connect the skills they learn during camp to career opportunities available in their community,” explained Edward Youdell, president and CEO of FMA and NBT. “We can’t start too early in our effort to attract the best and brightest into manufacturing.” 

Since 1998, the PMMI Foundation has provided more than $2 million in financial support to students studying packaging, food processing, engineering and mechatronics at over 40 partner schools throughout the U.S and Canada. 

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