Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals’ Largest-Ever Annual Conference Focused on Meeting Stakeholder Needs in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape
September 19, 2024, SAN DIEGO, CA – Over 400 professionals responsible for corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental sustainability, and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for the world’s most prominent companies gathered in San Diego last week for the largest-ever annual conference organized by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) – the nation’s leading association for corporate social impact professionals. The conference, comprised of corporate leaders responsible for carrying out social impact portfolios, focused on the sharing of best practices and strategies for navigating the future in a quickly evolving profession. In recent years, socially conscious companies and initiatives have come under the ire of a vocal minority of opponents, which makes the work of these professionals increasingly complex.
ACCP’s conference brought together experts from some of the largest companies from around the globe to explore the path forward and to exchange innovative ideas on how to continue their work amid a challenging global environment. As diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), along with other corporate social responsibility initiatives, continue to face increased scrutiny, ACCP professionals discussed and shared best practices for how companies are adapting to and navigating this complex landscape.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM ACCP’S LARGEST-EVER
CONFERENCE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROFESSIONALS
- CSR and ESG: Social impact professionals are more important than ever as companies navigate the rapidly evolving ESG landscape. They discussed how can CSR leaders secure a seat at the ESG table, as well as the powerful synergies that already exist between CSR and ESG functions to drive corporate success. The members also explored strategies of the future that will define tomorrow’s impact-driven companies.
- Trust-based/participatory grantmaking: The rising trend of participatory (or trust-based) philanthropy is a game-changing approach where corporations and nonprofits truly collaborate as partners.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Corporate social impact is not immune to the emergence and ubiquity of AI in everyday work. The conference showcased real-world examples of how AI is transforming the field—enhancing programs, boosting efficiency, and generating powerful data that drives deeper, more meaningful impact.
- Employee engagement: The conference also dove into innovative employee engagement strategies that have proven successful in top corporations, and addressing key topics like employee volunteerism, pro bono programs, ambassador initiatives, and the power of collaboration in driving company-wide CSR efforts.
During the opening speech of the 2024 ACCP Annual Conference titled, “Impact Unleashed: Amplifying Voices & Fostering Change,” Carolyn Berkowitz, President and CEO of ACCP, delivered remarks reminding attendees the importance of the work they are engaged in. In giving her main stage address, Berkowitz said: “Regardless of the background noise — the argument for, and the importance of, doing this work has only grown stronger. This work has never been more important – the world’s challenges are only getting more complex. Many business leaders have endorsed this fundamental truth that we’ve all known for some time — corporations perform better when they respond to stakeholder needs.”
“Corporate Citizenship leaders are seeing a convergence of several complex issues, among them; increased scrutiny of sustainability and ESG reporting, pressure from shifting DEI philosophies, growing public expectation for community engagement, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with emerging trends like AI, which is why it’s so valuable for ACCP to convene leaders in the field to think, ideate, and work as a collective toward developing smart solutions,” said Deidra Parrish Williams, Leader of Global CSR & Community Relations for Trane Technologies, ACCP member headquartered in North Carolina.
Earlier this summer, ACCP in partnership with Blackbaud, released its annual CSR Insights Survey, revealing that 96% of corporations remain committed to diversity initiatives. The far-reaching survey of 125 major corporations, explored topics including the impact of new SEC climate reporting rules, C-suite commitment to CSR, ESG, and DEI initiatives, the ongoing rise in employee volunteerism, the evolution and influence of new technologies, and the diversification of the social impact profession, among other key areas.
