While representing Cornerstone Safety Group at the WRMC this year, we were also able to take part in some fascinating discussions with both members and industry leaders on their fresh insights. We like to look at these opportunities for in-person connection as more than just an event for learning about industry trends; it’s a hub where the evolving landscape of risk management intersects with the innovations and challenges of travel. 

Here are a few of the themes and insights that resonated with us, along with reflections from the team on what these mean for our work and yours.

Recently, Cornerstone Risk Management Advisor, Mike Armstrong, attended a conference which offered a deep dive into the principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). This innovative approach to safety management is gaining traction across industries, from power and manufacturing to aviation and oil and gas. While HOP has primarily been adopted by industries known for their high-risk environments, the lessons learned at the conference have powerful implications for leaders in the tour and travel sectors as well.

For travel companies, making available a meaningful travel insurance option so that participants have the appropriate level of travel insurance is crucial—not just for compliance, but for protecting both travelers and indirectly the business. With ongoing global challenges as well as an individual traveler's personal needs, having a robust travel insurance policy in place is more important than ever.

This month, the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Conference in New York City brought together leaders and professionals from across the student travel industry. It was an event filled with educational opportunities, valuable networking, and, as always, a sense of community that makes SYTA so special. For those who couldn’t attend or are looking to revisit the key moments, here are some of the highlights and takeaways that stood out to us.

Heat illness is a serious concern for travelers, especially those engaging in outdoor and physically demanding activities. As travel and experiential education company owners, it’s imperative to understand how to prevent heat-related illnesses to ensure the safety and well-being of your participants. This blog provides an overview of heat illness prevention, highlighting the importance of preparedness and the use of tools like the Heat Index and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) device.

At Cornerstone, we specialize in assisting our members in navigating a wide range of challenges that can arise during travel. When those challenges encompass issues related to mental health and medical needs, these can significantly impact an individual's ability to travel or return home, especially in cases involving a psychotic break.

Sexual assault prevention and response are critical responsibilities for owners of travel and experiential education companies. Unfortunately, we’re seeing trends in which participant to participant cases are increasing across the industry. Ensuring the safety and well-being of travelers is paramount, requiring a proactive approach to both prevention and response. This blog outlines best practices for preventing and responding to sexual assault, emphasizing the importance of human-centered strategies, clear communication, and ethical conduct.

As the sun sets on our first leadership retreat, we find ourselves filled with inspiration, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Over several days in April, CEOs and business leaders from member organizations gathered to delve deep into the challenges and opportunities of our industry. Here are some key takeaways from our time together.

Duty of Care is not merely a legal obligation; it's a moral imperative that organizations in the travel and experiential education industry must prioritize the well-being, security, and safety of their participants. However, the landscape of duty of care is as dynamic as the industry itself, constantly evolving with societal changes and industry advancements. In this blog, we explore the fluid and ever-changing nature of Duty of Care, emphasizing its practical application for organizations to operate confidently in a rapidly changing environment.

Embarking on a transformative travel program with minors is a rewarding endeavor that contributes to their growth, resilience, and global awareness. While these programs create profound impacts, they also come with unique challenges and responsibilities. At Cornerstone Safety Group, we recognize the importance of addressing the logistical and protective aspects of working with minors in travel and experiential education.

Recently, the resurgence of measles has become a concerning reality, particularly for the travel and experiential education sectors. Cornerstone Safety Group acknowledges the gravity of this situation and aims to provide comprehensive guidance to our members in navigating the current landscape effectively.

While perseverance and dedication are commendable qualities, it's crucial to recognize the impact of stress on individuals and teams. In this article, we delve into the Stress Continuum model as a valuable tool for assessing and addressing stress within the travel and experiential education industries.

Over the last two years at Cornerstone Safety Group, we’ve had the pleasure of working with 30+ member organizations as we provide the most comprehensive support possible to the travel and experiential education industry. We’ve also noted that members use their membership hours in thoughtful and creative ways that go beyond the obvious support resources.

So, settle in for some stories of success, strategy, and solutions. Today, we are offering concrete examples of how members utilize our services to reach improved outcomes in all functions of their organizations.

Across management staff, field staff, and those in your senior leadership positions, you might be managing or working with a number of generations. For most organizations, that means you’re operating with staff who display (wonderfully) different perspectives, values, views, and backgrounds.

When it comes to your travel program, your staff may not only have different individual backgrounds and perspectives, but also different ideas about the nature of work itself. This can potentially create challenges if views aren’t aligned and entry level staff require a completely different approach than those who are more seasoned.

Bracing for the inevitable stresses of managing programs is a recipe for burnout and frustration among HQ staff and leadership teams. So, what can you do to proactively address HQ burnout and manage the leadership team’s mental health on the precipice of your busiest season? How do you support each other, as a leadership staff, through peak season before burnout becomes an inevitability?

We spoke with organizational leaders and the Cornerstone mental health team to offer best practices and insights below.

This year in Missoula, Cornerstone Safety Group received the 2023 Innovation in Gap Year Programming Award! After a record number of nominations from members and industry leaders, Executive Director, Dave Dennis, gratefully accepted the award at this year’s Gap Year Association Conference.

“Cornerstone provides benchmarks for safety, risk management, mental health, and medical support on student programming,” read one nomination. “The subscription model is innovative within our industry and the approach of ‘safety is not intellectual property’ has allowed for more collaboration across companies that previously saw themselves purely as competitors. Cornerstone is making the industry safer for all of us.”

You work hard to ensure that your processes for managing risk are thorough and consistent at your organization. In fact, you probably recognize that highlighting the ways you and your team approach risk management is a crucial selling point of your travel programs. Below, we’ve highlighted some best practices for ensuring that your approach to marketing the health and safety of your travel program is appropriate, legal, and effective.

Cornerstone is founded on the belief that protecting human lives is not intellectual property, but a shared responsibility. We believe that knowing where human safety fits within your organization and having actionable processes to navigate complex situations is paramount to operational success.

At Cornerstone, our members have the unique opportunity to bring relevant challenges to the table and work together with peer organizations to create solutions. As we adapt to the next evolution of the pandemic and what that means for our member organizations, one such topic was brought to the table early in 2022: reintroducing homestay experiences.

To make Cornerstone meetings and trainings beneficial for all participants, we ask that attendees abide by the following etiquette. When we follow these norms, the value of each session increases and attendees are more likely to make peer connections. In return, we at Cornerstone will abide by the best practices and expectations set forth below, as event organizers.