According to estimates based on current rates, the world population will reach 9 billion by 2050, at which time humans will use two-and-a-half planets’ resources, which will continue to decline as consumption rises. 

And associations will have a major role to play in reversing the tide. IMEX took on the education task this year during its Association Day today at the Messe Frankfurt Conference Center. 

Guy Bigwood, past present of the Green Meeting Industry Council and MCI sustainability director, and Lucy Goodchild, communications manager for the Global Reporting Initiative, presented an interactive session on sustainability as a driver for successful associations. (Yes, MPI has a GRI report!) 

The two shared different ways that sustainable policy can help associations increase member value, accelerate change and drive efficiency in the areas of talent, operations, products and services, education, communication and governance. But I also got some really neat takeaways from our group discussions, including these.

• Use Twitter hash tags to eliminate association emails and create networks of interest.
• Be a leader in the field of social responsibility to teach members who don’t necessarily accept the practice.
• Don’t forget that labor is part of sustainability. How do you treat your employees and volunteers?
• Think of CSR as collective, not corporate, social responsibility.
• You won’t be judged on how much you make, but how you make it.
• Showcase your members’ work in social responsibility with video and written case studies.