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.

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.

I recently had a conversation with one of the Cornerstone community members discussing "gut feelings" about Omicron and how this might impact the progress and optimism for international programming in 2022. While there's no true answer to this question, it got me thinking about what we could and should be doing given our experiences over the past two years.