An Alternative to Destination Boycotts: SocialOffset

Many organizations, and especially associations, are challenged
by legislation and policies that are counter to the values of
their members, such as "bathroom bills" and statewide measures
outlawing abortion. The firm opposition to these laws leads some
to consider cancelling their meetings in the destinations in
which the laws were passed. 


But cancelling or moving meetings can lead to legal and financial
exposure and also impact those in the destination that rely on
meetings and conventions to make a living, such as hotel,
restaurant and transportation workers, among many others.


To provide an alternative to cancellation, or attendees deciding
to not participate in a meeting or convention, meetings industry
veterans Beth Surmont and Elena Gerstmann created SocialOffset,
which allows attendees and organizations to donate to charities
that counter the legislation and policies in question.


Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson recently talked with Surmont and
Gerstmann to discover what SocialOffset, now in its pilot phase,
brings to the conversation about destination boycotts, especially
in the association segment.