A new charitable initiative has launched in Coventry and
Warwickshire to support the conference, exhibition and events industry, with the aim of leave
a lasting legacy on local communities.
Coventry and Warwickshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership
(LVEP) has launched ‘The Final Course’ which supports venues to host more
sustainable events and easily enable customers to support an important local
cause.
The Final Course, which launched on World Hunger Day (28
May), allows delegates at conferences, dinners, and events in the city to donate
to help someone less fortunate as part of their dining experience.
The voluntary and discreet initiative will see a QR code
displayed or shared around the venue, which will link to a donation page where
delegates can find out more about the initiative and consider making a
donation.
Coventry and Warwickshire LVEP has partnered with Feed The
Hungry, which is a Coventry foodbank with links into Warwickshire, to support
those in need. The convention bureau will be working with venues across the
region to implement the initiative. Funds raised from the initiative will be
donated on a quarterly basis to the Feed The Hungry.
Coventry and Warwickshire LVEP is a partnership between
Destination Coventry, Shakespeare’s England and Warwickshire County Council –
supported by VisitEngland.
Claire England, senior destination manager for Destination
Coventry, said: “It is crucial that events hosted across the region leave a
lasting positive legacy on local communities. “We are also seeing event
organisers prioritising destinations that can demonstrate sustainability and
community values.
“The Final Course is a simple and discreet way of delegates
giving back to our communities. It brings significant benefits to both venues
and event organisers, and by running the initiative through Conference Coventry
and Warwickshire, it is low maintenance and quick to get started. “We have an
incredibly successful business events sector in Coventry and Warwickshire. If
just 2,000 delegates made a small donation of £2.50, that would provide a
£5,000 boost to local foodbanks. This initiative provides an opportunity to
make a genuine difference.”
The Final Course has been piloted with learning and
development centre Ashorne Hill. Feed The Hungry is an international charity
based in Coventry which supports vulnerable in Coventry, Warwickshire and
around the globe. Coventry Foodbank is one its longest running projects and has
been in operation for 13 years. Hugh McNeill, who heads up the Pathfinder
project for Feed The Hungry, said: “This is a unique idea, this is the first
time we have heard of an entire region delivering a scheme like this in England
and we pleased to be supporting it.
“Quite often giving someone food doesn’t solve the issues
which they are facing. It’s about building a sustainable programme of support
which wraps around to ensure in the long[1]term
they can overcome their challenges.
“We have generated £750,000 through initiatives in 2023 to
support people who need it most, be that through grants, support or signposting
to support, and The Final Course will provide a further boost that
fundraising.”
Coventry Building
Society Arena, the region’s largest conference and exhibition centre, is the
first venue to commit to the support The Final Course. Paul Michael, Managing
Director of Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We are proud to be the
founding member of The Final Course and it is a great way for our day-to-day
business to bring a major benefit to the local community. “We will be
introducing all events which we work to take advantage and would encourage
other venues across the region to join and take advantage of this great
initiative.”
Find out more
about The Final Course here.
