Project ICARUS Recognizes Outstanding Examples of Sustainability at Berlin Conference

Many of you are probably already familiar with Project ICARUS. For those that aren’t, this GBTA Foundation initiative launched in 2006 is the definitive source of information, education, support and recognition programs for sustainability in the business travel and meetings industry, globally.

Just last month at GBTA Conference 2014 Berlin, Project ICARUS announced the winners of its second European Sustainability Outstanding Achievement Awards. The awards recognized travel buyers, suppliers, intermediaries and teams who demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to delivering best in class sustainability programs, products and services across Europe. They also had to be unique, ground breaking, transformational or just simply outstanding.

And these companies awarded were truly outstanding as the quality of entries exceeded our expectations, once again, clearly demonstrating that companies across Europe are seeing sustainable business travel and meetings programs as a sure way to optimize travel costs and generate a significant return on investment.

So, who brought home a bronze trophy in Berlin? Four entrants out of a very deserving pool were named winners in the following categories.

Travel Buyer: VOLVO

VOLVO has a worldwide reputation for the safety and responsibility of their vehicles. They also practice what they preach within their own business through a clear, focused, measured and successful travel program.

Travel Supplier: Scandic Hotels

This was a tough and competitive category, but Scandic Hotels has been at the forefront of hotel industry development in sustainability for many years. They are one of the most forward thinking companies in their sector. This award was given for the innovation and creativity they bring to making the hotel industry more responsible and sustainable.

Travel Supplier, Intermediary: PORTMAN

This TMC wins the award for taking the initiative and creating an innovative communications and web program, which contains environmental case studies, calculators, news and opinion on responsible business travel and meetings and more. We believe this is a first for our industry.

Travel Team:  SCANIA, Global Meeting and Travel Coordination Team

A new award this year, it recognizes a group of people working together to deliver best in class sustainable/responsible programs. SCANIA won the award for a companywide team effort, where Åsa Ward, the company’s Travel Buyer, brought together a range of company stakeholders to create a brand new and creative sustainable travel and meetings program – a program that uniquely puts the traveler at the heart of the program.

Next up it is North America’s turn to show off its sustainability efforts. The GBTA Foundation and Project ICARUS just released a call for entries for the third annual Outstanding Achievement Awards for Sustainability in business travel and meetings across North America.