Responsible Travel Champion Team Award Winner – CWT
Responses provided by Vikki Braunton, Global Client Director

How does it feel to win the Responsible Travel Champion Team Award?

It is a great honour to be recognised for the work we have created in collaboration with our strategic client to support their Responsible Travel objectives. We are excited to be the recipients of this award, especially considering the great work done by the other agencies in the Responsible Travel Champion Team category.

Your work highlighted cross-party collaboration — what made this approach successful?

To be successful, it is important that we collaborate not only with sustainability experts and client stakeholders but also optimise external tools. At CWT, strategic partners are vital.

Our development of a Carbon Calculator through Thrust Carbon benefits many of our clients who need to track carbon outputs for overall sustainability initiatives. As experts within Cvent, we also leverage that tool to focus on sourcing hotels that are committed to sustainability. We appreciate clients educating us on their chosen partners too — such as the TROOP travel management tool — to consider utilisation for other clients.

What metrics or insights helped you track your sustainability success?

CWT has developed proprietary data reporting, in conjunction with our partner, to track sustainability efforts and CO2 emissions and improve sustainability outcomes for future events. We calculate the totality of attendees’ carbon footprint, including travel, hotel stays, meeting space, and meals — and custom-calculate emissions by project, division, or country.

The tool also offers insights into how to reduce emissions. Our client receives information on carbon emissions in order to purchase carbon credits. In addition, we’ve added targeted questions to our venue sourcing RFP template to assess if venues are reducing CO2 and waste, conserving water, and protecting biodiversity.

Venues that respond positively receive a green identification badge within Cvent and are highlighted in the availability report sent to the planner. Because this process is built into Cvent, it’s all easily tracked and reportable.

How do you ensure responsible travel becomes embedded, not just a bolt-on?

We ensure responsible travel through education and stakeholder engagement. We encourage corporate clients — whether it’s at the company strategy level or for specific events — to start small and grow from there.

There are often myths around responsible travel. Objections we frequently hear include: “I don’t know how to get started,” “every element has to be sustainable,” “the overall agenda needs to focus on being sustainable,” or “it’s going to cost more.” Taking baby steps, introducing ideas, optimising technology, and sharing data helps to dispel these myths.

It allows responsible travel to become embedded as part of the sourcing process, rather than treated as an add-on. We often say: start with one meeting, then another, and then another — and soon it becomes best practice. It doesn’t have to be perfect; even including a few sustainable elements can spark meaningful change.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world – with no limits on budget or agenda – where would you go and why?

Bodø, Norway. With its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, it offers a refreshing alternative to the more frequently travelled top-tier cities and has made a strong commitment to sustainability.

In 2022, Bodø received the “Sustainable Destination” certification and, in 2021, became one of the first cities in the world to make all of its bus services electric. Most exciting is the newly opened Wood Hotel Bodø. This unique property doesn’t just boast captivating views and blend perfectly into its natural surroundings — it is made almost entirely of wood and claims to be the most sustainable resort in northern Norway.

Lastly, Bodø is a prime location to enjoy nature, including witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights and exploring the nearby waters through sea safaris on eco-friendly Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs).

Discover all of our winners and browse the event images.