Download the Registration Brochure - Global Reporting Initiative

REGISTRATION
BROCHURE
Host body
SUPPORTED BY
PLATINUM SPONSORs
Australian
Government

Invitation TO ATTEND
Australian leaders and opinion formers from business,
government and civil society will join the sustainability
conversation as the Global Reporting Initiative, with the
support of the Australian Government, holds its first ever
Regional Conference - The Australian GRI Conference on
Sustainability and Integrated Reporting - from 26-28 March
2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
Increasingly complex and pressing sustainability issues
mean there is a greater need than ever for effective
reporting to play its part in the drive towards a sustainable
global economy. Corporations, stock exchanges,
governments and other organizations are recognizing the
value of integrated sustainability into core strategy and
business practice.
Sustainability reporting is evolving rapidly, not least in
Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Integrated reporting
and the development of the next generation of GRI’s
Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, G4, are under the
spotlight and need to be explored, shaped and understood.
With the theme of Innovate – Integrate – Collaborate, The
Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated
Reporting will help bridge the divide between Australian
and Asia Pacific organizations and integrated reporting
internationally. The outcomes of this Conference will help
inform GRI’s thinking on integrated reporting and G4.
On behalf of the Organising Committee of the Australian
GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting
I extend to you a warm welcome and I look forward to
seeing you in Melbourne in March 2012.
Sincerely
Ernst Ligteringen
Chief Executive GRI
Organising committee
Serena de Kretser, Senior Associate, Net Balance (Australia)
Lena Geraghty, Network Manager, GRI Focal Point Australia (Australia)
Renee Hancock, Corporate Responsibility Manager, ANZ (Australia);
Former member, GRI Stakeholder Council; Member, GRI Australian Advisory Group
Susan McHattie, Manager Business Strategy, Service First, NSW Department of Finance and Services (Australia)
Leontien Plugge, Deputy Director Regional Networks, GRI (the Netherlands)
John Purcell, Policy Adviser ESG, CPA Australia (Australia); Member, GRI Australian Advisory Group
Victoria Whitaker, Network Manager, GRI Focal Point Australia (Australia) – Conference Convenor
Stella Whittaker, Senior Executive, Sustainability and Climate Change, Manidis Roberts (Australia);
Vice Chair, GRI Stakeholder Council; Chair, GRI Australian Advisory Group
CONTACT DETAILS
strategic partners
T: +61 2 9213 4055
F: +61 2 9213 4099
E: registration_griaustralia@globalreporting.org
W: www.australiangriconference.org
2

Host Organisation
About Global Reporting Initiative
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) produces a
comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework
that is widely used around the world, to enable greater
organizational transparency. The Framework, including
the Reporting Guidelines, sets out the Principles and
Indicators organizations can use to report their economic,
environmental, and social performance. GRI is committed
to continuously improving and increasing the use of the
Guidelines, which are freely available to the public.
For more information: www.globalreporting.org
About GRI’s Focal Point Australia
GRI Focal Point Australia aims to meet the needs of
stakeholders in its region, to increase both the use of
and the participation in the development of the GRI
Sustainability Reporting Framework, and to strengthen and
expand the GRI network.
GRI Focal Point Australia was established in 2008 when GRI
and the St James Ethics Centre entered into an agreement.
The collaboration serves to strengthen the collective goals
of both organizations – increasing the uptake of responsible
business practice and making reporting on economic,
environmental and social performance by all organizations
as routine and comparable as financial reporting.
The Focal Point is supported by the Federal Government’s
Treasury, CPA Australia and GRI.
GRI Focal Point Australia is one of five Focal Points – India,
China, Brazil, the USA and Australia.
For more information: http://www.globalreporting.org/
AboutGRI/WhoWeAre/FocalPoints/
Conference History
GRI organised its first global conference in 2006 launching
the G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Subsequent
conferences were held in Amsterdam in 2008 and 2010,
catering to an international audience. The conference is
seen as a key part of GRI’s strategy, to drive its mission to
mainstream sustainability reporting. It also performs a key
function to bring GRI’s global multi-stakeholder network
together on a regular basis. The Australian GRI Conference
on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting will be the first
biannual conference hosted by GRI’s Focal Point Australia.
It will also be the first regional conference of GRI, also
involving part of the Asia Pacific region.
Conference fast facts
››
The Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and
Integrated Reporting Melbourne 2012 will bring
together sustainability experts and reporters, investors,
accountants and policy makers
››
It will be held on 26 – 28 March 2012 at Melbourne
Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia
››
An estimated 300 delegates from throughout the APAC
Region
››
Visit www.australiangriconference.org for the latest
information
››
For more information on registration and
accommodation
Email: registration_griaustralia@globalreporting.org
T: +61 2 9213 4055
››
Managed by MCI Australia – Part of the MCI Group – 30
years of designing and delivering successful meetings
and events www.mci-group.com/australia
››
Abstract closing – 15 December 2011
››
Earlybird closing – 13 February 2012
››
Accommodation booking – 6 February 2012
3

Reason to attend
Keynote speakers
The Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and
Integrated Reporting will attract executives, directors and
senior managers in sustainability, accounting, finance,
policy and public affairs. In particular, the Conference
will focus on the needs of report writers and the users of
sustainability information, as well as those interested in
understanding how sustainability information can be used
in corporate strategy and risk management.
Why you should attend?
Over three days, you will have the opportunity to:
››
Hear from international and domestic speakers about
how sustainability and integrated reporting can help
organizations advance leadership, manage risk and
improve business strategy
››
Understand how your competitors and investors are
approaching the watershed opportunity presented by
integrated reporting
››
Learn how innovation, integration and collaboration
are critical elements to organizational performance and
advancing corporate sustainability
››
Influence the direction of international frameworks and
standards in sustainability and integrated reporting
››
Be inspired and explore new knowledge and thinking
across the sustainability and integrated reporting fields
››
Understand how international initiatives including the
United Nations Global Compact, the Carbon Disclosure
Project, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development Guidelines for Multinational
Enterprises, and others, are joining forces on the
organizational reporting and sustainability fronts
››
Leverage from the experience of early adopters through
the sharing of case studies and practical solutions of
how Australian and international organizations are
applying sustainability and integrated reporting in their
organizations
››
Participate in a forum that explores and answers critical
questions to key trends, including integrated reporting,
through facilitated discussion
››
Network with a diverse range of organizations and
stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand, and
the Asia Pacific region
››
Be energized and motivated to respond to key trends
and embed sustainability into corporate strategy within
your organization
PROF MERVYN E KING S.C.
Chairman of the International Integrated Reporting
Council
Chairman, King Committee on Corporate Governance
Prof King is a Senior Counsel and former Judge of the
Supreme Court of South Africa. He is among others
Professor Extraordinaire at the University of South
Africa on Corporate Citizenship and Honorary Professor
in the Department of Marketing and Communication
Management at the University of Pretoria (President of the
Advertising Standards Authority and First Vice President
of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa). Prof King is
Chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance
(President of the Advertising Standards Authority and First
Vice President of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa).
Prof King is the Honorary Chairman of the Global Reporting
Initiative in Amsterdam, a member of the Private
Sector Advisory Group to the World Bank on Corporate
Governance, Chairman of the International Integrated
Reporting Council in London, Chairman of the Integrated
Reporting Committee in South Africa and chaired the
United Nations Committee on Governance and Oversight.
Prof King has received many awards including the World
Federation of Stock Exchanges Award for Excellence in
recognition of his outstanding efforts on behalf of the
advancement of regulated markets. Prof King has been the
Chairman and director of companies listed on the London,
Luxembourg and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges.
Prof King has consulted, advised and spoken on legal,
business, advertising, sustainability and corporate
governance issues in 49 countries and has received many
awards. Prof King is the author of Transient Caretakers,
with Teodorina Lessidrenska and The Corporate Citizen.
Prof King was the SA judge at the Intermediate Chamber of
Commerce Court of Arbitration for nine years and still acts
as an international arbitrator and mediator.
4

The Hon. David Bradbury MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
The Hon. David Bradbury was first elected to Parliament
as the Member for Lindsay in 2007. In his first term
in Parliament, David was the Chair of the Caucus
Economics Committee and was a member of the House
of Representatives Economics Committee, the House of
Representatives Communications Committee and the Joint
Public Accounts and Audit Committee.
After being re-elected as the Member for Lindsay at
the 2010 Election, Mr Bradbury was appointed as
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer on 14 September
2010, where his responsibilities include competition policy,
consumer affairs, corporate law and financial literacy.
Mr Bradbury is a graduate of the University of Sydney,
holding an Arts Degree and an Honours Degree in Law. He
has also undertaken postgraduate studies in taxation law.
Prior to his election to Federal Parliament, Mr Bradbury
was a Senior Associate practising in taxation law with the
corporate law firm Blake Dawson.
First elected to public office in 1999, David served as a
councillor on Penrith City Council for nine years, including
two terms as the Mayor of Penrith.
Jane Diplock AO
Director, Singapore Exchange
Former Chairman of the Executive Committee, International
Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
Former Chairman of the Securities Commission,
New Zealand
Jane Diplock was the Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions
(IOSCO) until April 2011. She was first elected in 2004 and
re-elected for a fourth term in June 2010.
Ms Diplock was appointed Chairman of the New
Zealand Securities Commission in September 2001, and
reappointed in 2006 for a further five-year term, which
ended in April 2011.
Before this appointment, Ms Diplock was the National
Director, Infrastructure and Strategic Planning, and New
South Wales Regional Commissioner with the Australian
Securities and Investments Commission. She has also
held senior executive positions with Westpac Banking
Corporation, and was Managing Director of the New South
Wales Technical and Further Education Commission.
Ms Diplock was appointed an officer of the General Division
of the Order of Australia in January 2003 for “service
to business and commerce, to public administration,
particularly in the areas of education and training, and to
the community through a range of social justice, health,
educational and cultural organisations”.
5

Keynote speakers CONT.
Ian Ball
Chief Executive Officer, IFAC
Ian Ball has been the Chief Executive Officer of IFAC since
March 2002. In this role, Mr Ball has responsibility for
developing and managing the execution of IFAC’s strategy.
He leads a staff of professionals who support independent
standard-setting boards in the areas of auditing and
assurance, ethics, accounting education, and public sector
financial reporting. IFAC staff is also involved in developing
guidance and in delivering a range of other programs to
support professional accountants worldwide in providing
high-quality service to their clients or employers.
Mr Ball previously served as a member of IFAC’s
Nominating Committee and as Chairman of its Public
Sector Committee. In the latter role, from 1995 to 2000,
he initiated the development of international standards
for public sector financial reporting. Prior to assuming
his current position, he was Principal of Public Sector
Performance (NZ) Ltd. and Professor of Accounting and
Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington, New
Zealand, a position he still holds. From 1987 through 1994,
he was with the New Zealand Treasury, first as Director of
Financial Management Policy and then as Central Financial
Controller.
Ernst Ligteringen
Chief Executive, Global Reporting Initiative
Ernst Ligteringen is Chief Executive of the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI), an international organization with a mission
to make sustainability reporting standard practice, driving
its vision of a sustainable global economy. Mr Ligteringen
has been Chief Executive of GRI since 2002, when GRI
was established as an independent organization with an
international Secretariat in Amsterdam. Mr Ligteringen is a
member of GRI’s multi-stakeholder Board of Directors.
Before joining GRI, Mr Ligteringen worked for more than
20 years at various non-governmental and international
organizations. His positions included postings in Africa,
the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and
Europe, as Executive Director of Oxfam International,
Director of Programme Coordination of the International
Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
and Consultant to the World Commission on the Social
Dimension of Globalization at the ILO.
6

Program
The core themes that will underpin the conference include:
Dr Simon Longstaff
Executive Director, St James Ethics Centre
Dr Longstaff’s role is among others roles to encourage
the process of integrating ethical considerations into the
strategic thinking of the management community and
those who advise and regulate them. More generally,
Dr Longstaff encourages and contributes to the active
discussion of ethical questions amongst the widest possible
audience.
Dr Longstaff’s distinguished career includes being named
as one of the AFR Boss True Leaders for the first decade
of the 21st century with Carol Schwartz noting “…I don’t
know one CEO or chairman in corporate Australia who has
not worked with Simon Longstaff…”. Dr Longstaff has a PhD
in Philosophy from Cambridge and his doctoral research
centred on related questions arising in the areas of political
philosophy, ethics and the philosophy of education.
Prior to becoming the inaugural Executive Director of St
James Ethics Centre in 1991, he worked in the Northern
Territory in the Safety Department of BHP subsidiary,
GEMCO, lectured at Cambridge University and consulted
to the Cambridge Commonwealth and Overseas Trusts. Dr
Longstaff’s book, Hard Cases, Tough Choices was published
in 1997 and numerous articles have been published over
the years. Dr Longstaff was inaugural President of The
Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics and
is a Fellow of the World Economic Forum.
Innovate
The content and format of sustainability reports is
evolving, driven by new thinking, technology and the
closer communication between organizations and their
stakeholders. Work on G4 has begun, building on GRI’s
current Guidelines as we advance globally towards
integrated reporting. International and regional experts
will explore these innovations, including the aims of G4,
its links with integrated reporting and the opportunities to
participate in their development.
Integrate
Integrated reporting is on its way. GRI’s belief in the need
to integrate sustainability into organizational strategy led
it to co-convene the International Integrated Reporting
Committee in 2010, with the Prince of Wales’s Accounting
for Sustainability and the International Federation of
Accountants. As the concept of integrated reporting
develops, questions continue to emerge surrounding its
core principles and what it might look like in practice. How
best can sustainability reporting play its necessary role,
as both stepping stone and guidance provider? Expert
speakers will share their insights.
Collaborate
There are new audiences for sustainability reporting. More
stakeholders than ever are requesting and contributing
information. Governments and stock exchanges are asking
companies to report their performance or explain why
not. At the Conference, investors, accountants, experts
and reporters will help to define the sustainability and
integrated reporting agenda in Australia and the region, in
a discussion to be shared at global level.
He has been serving on numerous committees and boards
to advance responsible business.
7

Program CONT.
Monday 26th March 2012
9.30 Arrival and registration
10.30 Master classes – Concurrent*
GRI Master Class – An Introduction
to GRI
Master class on Materiality
Facilitated by:
Master class on communications
& marketing
Facilitated by:
Paul Davies, Principal, Banarra, Facilitated by:
Lena Geraghty, Network Manager, Australia
Marian Gruber, Director, ZOOiD
GRI Focal Point Australia
Christiane Meyer, Consultant,
Victoria Whitaker, Network Manager, Banarra, Australia
GRI Focal Point Australia
Calum Revfem, Director, Envirostate,
New Zealand
12.30 Lunch break
13.30 Master classes – Concurrent*
Your story, my story and the truth: how to get the A strategic Approach to Stakeholder Engagement
most out of assurance
Facilitated by:
Amanda Nuttall, Senior Associate, Net Balance
Foundation
Kirsten Simpson, Associate Director, Net Balance
Foundation
Gitanjali Bedi, Team Leader, Capacity Building in
Sustainability for Educators, National Centre for
Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology
15.30 Networking break
16.00 Welcome reception
17.30 Close
Facilitated by:
Dr Leeora Black, Managing Director, Australian Centre
for Corporate Social Responsibility
Rick Lambell, Senior Consultant, ACCSR
For a full description of each master class visit www.australiangriconference.org. Master Classes have a limited number of
places. Master Classes incur a fee in addition to the Conference registration fee.
NB: Registration to the Master class is not exclusive to conference delegates – we welcome registrations from all interested
individuals
8

Tuesday 27th March 2012
7.00 Executive breakfast (invitation only) Sponsored by:
9.00 Welcome remarks
9.20 Opening plenary keynote
10.15 Opening plenary panel: Transitioning to a sustainable economy
11.30 Networking break
12.00 Concurrent sessions
1. Driving innovation through sustainability reporting
2. Quality and assurance of key issues of sustainability
3. Stakeholder approaches to reading reports
4. Sustainability reporting in the Asia century
13.00 Networking lunch
14.00 Interlude - Short sharp case study
14.15 Linking sustainability to strategy, corporate governance and risk – the role of materiality
15.30 Networking break
16.00 Concurrent sessions
1. Linking sustainability data to corporate value
2. Mandatory & voluntary reporting: practical lessons on managing both
3. The role of media and social media in sustainability reporting
4. Frameworks for sustainability
19.30 Gala dinner
Wednesday 28th March 2012
9.00 Opening plenary – The role of integrated reporting in value creation
10.00 Concurrent sessions
1. Joining the dots - An introduction to integrated reporting
2. The practice - Companies exploring integrated reporting tell it how it is
3. The players - Mainstream investors, accountants and regulators - and why they are interested in integrated
reporting
11.15 Interlude - Short sharp case study
11.30 Networking break
12.00 Open Space
13.00 Networking lunch
14.00 Open Space continued
15.30 Networking break
16.00 Closing plenary – Towards mainstreaming reporting
17.00 Conference close
9

Pre-Conference
Master Classes
Sustainability reporting is a rapidly growing field of expertise. Yet every year, companies continue to struggle with common
aspects of sustainability reporting. As a precursor to the Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated
Reporting, GRI is working with its Certified Training Partners in Australia and New Zealand to deliver Master Classes that
build understanding and provide practical guidance on key sustainability reporting challenges.
The Master Classes will be delivered on Monday 26 March and will each last two hours. Limited places are available for
Master Classes; please book early to avoid disappointment.
Master Classes Time Fee*
MasterClass on Materiality
10.30 – 12.30 $300
Brought to you by Banarra and EnviroState
Master Class on Communications and Marketing
10.30 – 12.30 $300
Brought to you by ZooID
Your story, my story and the truth: how to get the most out of assurance
13.30 – 15.30 $300
Brought to you by Net Balance Foundation and National Centre for Sustainability, Swinburne
University of Technology
A strategic approach to stakeholder engagement
13.30 – 15.30 $300
Brought to you by ACCSR
GRI Master Class – An Introduction to GRI
10.30 – 12.30 $300
Brought to you by GRI Focal Point Australia
* Book two master classes and save $100 (see registration form pages 15 & 16)
Master Class one:
Master Class on Materiality
Done properly, materiality assessments can deliver
improvements, not just in relation to reporting, but also in
terms of fundamental improvements in risk management,
strategy development and delivery, and longer term
sustainability outcomes.
This Master Class on Materiality will:
››
Present and contrast the GRI materiality approach with
other materiality approaches
››
Present sample materiality exercises to stimulate
thinking and to discuss the advantages and limitations of
each approach
Envirostate’s and Banarra’s training approach balances
practical application with theory, so participants don’t just
follow a materiality recipe but can critically evaluate the
various approaches, their strengths and limitations, and
how much confidence they can place on the outcomes.
Participants can then appreciate and select the approach
most relevant and useful to their circumstances.
The Master Class on Materiality will be delivered by GRI
Certified Training Partners Paul Davies and Christiane
Meyer from Banarra, Australia and Calum Revfem from
Envirostate, New Zealand, providing a unique trans-Tasman
perspective on materiality.
This Master Class is brought to you by:
Master Class Two:
Communications and Marketing
Communicating your sustainability performance to
stakeholders is an important part of the reporting cycle.
This Master Class will explore effective ways to present
results, and market your report.
This Master Class will focus on three primary areas:
››
Best practice communications in writing and presenting
your sustainability report
››
Leveraging your report – how to successfully market
your report to stakeholders
››
How to interpret sustainability reports from other
organisations
Part 1: Best practice communications in writing and
presenting your sustainability report
Many sustainability reporters struggle with how to present
their sustainability report to readers in terms of readability,
accessibility and format.
You will learn about:
››
language
››
layout
››
decisions on what information to include
››
length of the report
››
report formats
10

Part 2: Leveraging your report – how to successfully
market your report to stakeholders
Do your sustainability reports end up gathering dust in
the box at the end of the hallway? No more! Learn how
to best promote that your report is ready! You will learn
how to best communicate with your stakeholders by using
effective public relations, traditional and social media
communication strategies.
Part 3: How to interpret sustainability reports
What exactly is a sustainability report aiming to
communicate? How do you interpret and benchmark
this information? Does the report contain a transparent
overview of the organisation’s activities or is it an exercise
in the proverbial green or white wash?
You will learn how to decrypt sustainability reports and
find out what they really mean. Useful for those in investor
relations and corporate affairs as well as sustainability
report writers.
The Master Class will be delivered by Marian Gruber,
Director, ZOOiD.
This Master Class is brought to you by:
Master Class Three:
Your story, my story and the truth:
how to get the most out of assurance
Do you believe your own company’s hype? What are
your stakeholders telling you? Can you really trust the
information in your organisation’s report? Only third party
assurance can tell you.
This Assurance Master Class will cover:
››
Setting objectives and choosing assurance standards
››
Linking assurance objectives to the GRI Guidelines
››
Building the business case internally for assurance – tips
for what works
››
Group exercises – assessing adherence to assurance
principles using case study examples
››
Overcoming organisational barriers to assurance
››
Leveraging recommendations to drive reporting
improvements
The Master Class will be delivered by industry experts:
››
Amanda Nuttall, Senior Associate, Net Balance
Foundation
››
Kirsten Simpson, Associate Director, Net Balance
Foundation
››
Gitanjali Bedi, Team Leader, Capacity Building in
Sustainability for Educators, National Centre for
Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology
This Master Class is brought to you by:
Master Class Four:
A strategic approach to
stakeholder engagement
Long term company value is increasingly influenced by
a rising tide of expectations among stakeholders about
the social role of business. Stakeholders create both risks
and opportunities for businesses, shaping their practices,
markets and impacts in profound ways.
The best sustainability reporters recognise the links
between stakeholders, reporting and the role of business
in society. They not only report on their stakeholder
engagement practices, they also consider stakeholder
impacts and opportunities at every stage of their value
chain. In this special Master Class, discover the latest
innovations in stakeholder engagement and how you can
improve stakeholder engagement for reporting, strategy
and performance management.
At this Master Class you will learn how to:
››
Define and identify stakeholders
››
Develop a business case for stakeholder engagement
››
Build high trust stakeholder relationships
››
Earn a social license to operate
››
Embed stakeholder engagement into your reporting,
strategy and performance management processes
The Master Class will be delivered by:
››
Dr Leeora Black, Managing Director, Australian Centre
for Corporate Social Responsibility
››
Rick Lambell, Senior Consultant, ACCSR
This Master Class is brought to you by:
11

Pre-Conference
Master Classes CONT.
Master Class FIVE:
GRI Master Class –
An Introduction to GRI
GRI Focal Point Manager will provide a GRI Master Class to
explore the concept of sustainability strategy and the role
of sustainability reporting in your company. This interactive
workshop is a great opportunity for those who are new
to sustainability reporting or those seeking to better
understand the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability
Reporting Framework.
At the Master Class, you will:
››
investigate the context of corporate sustainability
››
understand the business case for sustainability reporting
and
››
learn the basics of how to undertake GRI in your
company
For more information about the GRI Introductory
Workshop, please visit GRI’s website (https://www.
globalreporting.org/reporting/reporting-support/gritraining-and-workshops/Pages/default.aspx).
The Master Class will be delivered by:
››
Lena Geraghty, Network Manager, GRI Focal Point
Australia
››
Victoria Whitaker, Network Manager, GRI Focal Point
Australia
This Master Class is brought to you by:
Sponsorship
still available
Information for prospective sponsors and exhibitors
can be obtained from the conference website at www.
australiangriconference.org or by contacting Victoria
Whitaker at:
T: +61 2 9909 5777
E: griaustralia@globalreporting.org
Call for
abstracts
In keeping with the tradition of GRI Conferences, our first
ever Regional Conference promises to help bridge the
divide between Australian and Asia Pacific organizations
and international developments in integrated reporting.
GRI will do this by inspiring discussion and building new
knowledge which explores key challenges and lessons
experienced by report readers and writers.
GRI will utilise the wealth of knowledge of the audience to
lead our discussion.
Participate through:
››
Presenting a case study of current practice in Australia
and the region with a focus on collaboration - consider
co –presentation
››
Presenting a perspective on improving practice based on
personal practice or current research
Abstract selection criteria
››
Relevance to the key topics of The Australian GRI
Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting
2012
››
Relevance to the target audience
››
Usefulness
››
Significance
››
Structure and clarity of the abstract
How to submit an abstract
››
Abstracts may only be submitted online at
www.australiangriconference.org
››
Please ensure all abstract submission guidelines are
carefully read prior to submitting an abstract
››
Closing date: 15 December 2011
Notification of acceptance
››
Authors will be notified of acceptance or otherwise via
email in late January 2012.
››
The decision of acceptance of abstracts is at the
discretion of the program committee.
All presenters are required to register for the conference
by 31 January 2012. Failure to register by this date will
result in the presentation being withdrawn from the
program.
Submit your abstract to www.australiangriconference.org
For any questions please contact Victoria Whitaker:
griaustralia@globalreporting.org or call
+61 2 9909 5777.
12

Industry
exhibition
The exhibition is an integral component of the Australian
GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting;
the exhibition will be the prime networking arena for
delegates and exhibitors outside the conference sessions.
To acknowledge the importance of the exhibition, the
conference program provides maximum exposure to
delegates. The exhibition will be officially opened at 10.15
am for the first morning tea on Tuesday 27 March 2012,
and all morning teas, lunches and afternoon teas will be
held in the exhibition hall.
Organisations interested exhibiting should contact
the conference managers immediately on telephone
+61 2 9213 4055 or email sponex_griaustralia@
globalreporting.org
A complete sponsorship & exhibition prospectus can be
downloaded from the conference website
www.australiangriconference.org
Travel insurance
The conference managers recommend delegates purchase
travel insurance including cover for non-refundable
registration fees. The conference managers do not take any
responsibility for attendees failing to insure.
The destination—
Melbourne
Discover Australia, discover
Melbourne
Australia features many famous icons: the Sydney Opera
House, Uluru, the Great Ocean Road, sunshine, kangaroos
and koalas. But there is a surprising breadth of experiences
on offer that are just as exhilarating.
From watching migrating whales, visiting rainforests or
dusty opal mining towns, to enjoying imaginative world
class cuisine, Australia has many fascinating corners. While
Australia’s richly coloured Outback will fascinate visitors,
the nation’s cosmopolitan cities also offer a fabulous array
of metropolitan delights.
Melbourne is Australia’s undisputed event, sport, culture
and food capital; a city with a European approach to style
and a lifestyle that puts it in the fast lane.
This city truly understands how to conduct business on a
global level; however it has also been aptly described as
‘Australia’s most stylish city after sunset’. There are plenty
of things to do in Melbourne. Easily navigated on foot,
the city’s confidence and success are infectious; whether
closing a deal or relaxing with colleagues and new friends.
Melbourne is a perfect destination.
Visit one of the following sites for further details on what
your destination can offer
www.australia.com
www.visitvictoria.com
www.visitmelbourne.com
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Melbourne Convention and
Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is the
venue for the Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability
and Integrated Reporting 2012. The Centre is conveniently
located on the banks of the Yarra River in the heart of the
city, close to restaurants, hotels and public transport hubs;
and just 25 minutes by car from Melbourne Airport.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has been
awarded a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating by the
Green Building Council of Australia, the first in the world
for a convention centre.
This newly built centre is fully integrated with the existing
exhibition centre making the MCEC the largest combined
exhibition and convention centre in Australia.
Visit www.mcec.com.au for more information on the MCEC
complex.
13

Social program
Welcome reception
Relax and enjoy informal drinks with colleagues and
associates as part of a warm welcome to the Australian GRI
Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting.
Monday 26 March 2012, 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Gala dinner
More information soon available on the website:
www.australiangriconfrence.org
Lunch and refreshment breaks
Lunch and refreshment breaks will be held in the industry
exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday and are included for
fulltime delegates and registered exhibitors.
Cancellation policy
The conference reserves the right to cancel or vary
optional activities if minimum numbers are not reached.
Regrettably, optional social functions and additional
ticket cancellations can not be refunded if participation is
cancelled less than 72 hours prior to the event.
Disclaimer
The Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and
Integrated Reporting Melbourne 2012 and MCI Australia
and their agents act only as organisers of these activities
and do not accept responsibility for any act or omission on
the part of the service providers. No liability is accepted
for any inaccuracy, misdescription, delay, damage, death or
personal injury.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
recognises the importance of ensuring an accessible
venue for people with a disability. MCEC also works to
ensure that its business practices do not exclude people
with a disability from accessing its services or venues.
Information outlining the access features and various
disability services offered within the MCEC is available on
the MCEC website.
Useful information
CONFERENCE venue
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf Vic 3006
T: +61 3 9235 8000
F: +61 3 9235 8001
W: www.mcec.com.au
Airport transfers
Melbourne Airport is 22 kilometers from the Melbourne
Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is a 30 minute drive
dependent on traffic conditions.
Transfers from the airport are available through taxi, shuttle
bus, car hire or private hire operators.
Getting there by bus
Melbourne Airport is serviced by the Skybus Super Shuttle
(www.skybus.com.au), the only bus service linking the
airport to the city. Tickets are available from the driver;
from the information booth outside the terminal; or from
the Skybus Super Shuttle website. Tickets prices (at time of
printing) are AUD16 one way or AUD26 return.
Getting there by taxi
Taxis are available from the ground floor level of
Melbourne Airport outside the international and domestic
terminals. Expect to pay approximately AUD55–AUD60 for
the 30 minute trip into the city.
CONFERENCE registration desk
Registration will be conducted at the registration desk,
located in Melbourne Convention Centre, Level 2, Foyer
2.3. Registration will be open at the following times:
Monday 26 March 2012
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Wednesday 28 March 2012
KEY DATES
Abstract closing – 15 December 2011
Earlybird closing – 13 February 2012
Accommodation booking – 6 February 2012
7.00am–5.00pm
7.00am–5.00pm
7.00am–5.00pm
The MCEC website has been designed, where possible,
to conform to level A of the W3C Content Accessibility
Guidelines (Version 1.0) written by the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C).
14

Messages
A message board will be located near the registration
desk. Please advise potential callers to contact MCEC
(telephone +61 3 9235 8000) and ask for The Australian
GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting.
Messages cannot be delivered personally.
Climate
March days in Melbourne are generally mild and sunny
with afternoon sea breezes. As a guide, temperatures in
March range from 13°C to 23°C.
Dress
Smart casual attire is appropriate for conference sessions
and the welcome reception and Conference dinner.
Additional layers may be required for air-conditioned
session rooms.
Special diets
Provision will be made for food preferences covering
vegetarian or vegan, Halal and Kosher requests. If you have
a special dietary requirement, please indicate this on the
registration form. Please note that Kosher and Halal meals
may incur additional charges. Please note that requests for
non-specific requirements, such as low GI or low fat can
not be guaranteed.
CONFERENCE managers
MCI Australia part of MCI Group (www.mci-group.com/
australia), designs and delivers exceptional meetings
and events for associations, corporate and government
clients. As the leading globally integrated conference,
association and event management company we offer
access to the local resources and expertises of 43 offices
across 21 countries. Our focus is on establishing long term
partnerships with our clients to deliver an innovative,
tailored, best practice solution every time.
For further information, please contact the conference
managers:
MCI Australia
547 Harris Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
Australia
T: +61 2 9213 4055
F: +61 7 3858 5499
(registration/accommodation bookings)
E: griaustralia@globalreporting.org (general enquiries)
registration_griaustralia@globalreporting.org
(registration/accommodation enquiries)
W: www.australiangriconference.org
15

Accommodation
booking information
Special accommodation room rates have been negotiated
for the event and may apply to extended stays (subject
to availability). To take advantage of these savings, please
read the following information carefully and complete the
accommodation booking section on the registration form at
the end of this brochure.
MCI Australia is unable to accept new or changes to
existing room bookings after the following Release Date:
1600 hours Australian Eastern Standard Time, 06/02/2012
from this time, bookings should be made directly with the
hotel or via an accommodation reservation website.
From 1600 hours, Monday 06 February 2012 onwards,
bookings should be made directly with the hotel or via an
accommodation reservation website.
››
Rates are per room per night, in Australian dollars, and
include GST
››
Room numbers are limited so please ensure you book
well before the release date
››
Accommodation cannot be booked unless credit card
details are received with your registration form. This
information will be passed on to the hotel to secure your
booking. The hotel may process the debit immediately
or wait until check-out
››
If charges are to be the responsibility of a third party,
e.g. the guest’s company, please provide the organisers
with a letter from the third party stating what charges
are to be covered, e.g. accommodation only, meals, mini
bar, phone, fax, internet, laundry, all charges, etc
››
A tax invoice/receipt will be issued by the hotel on
check-out
››
Cancellations and alterations up to 06/02/2012, are
made by MCI
››
Any cancellations and alterations made by MCI Australia
will incur a booking change fee of up to $33
››
Guests wishing to cancel or alter bookings after 1600
hours (AEST) on 06/02/2012 should contact the hotel
directly. These, and “no-shows”, may incur penalties
at the hotel’s discretion, possibly up to 100% of the
accommodation stay
››
Cancellation policies for individual hotels are available
on the event website and will be included in your
confirmation letter. Please ensure you are familiar with
your chosen hotel’s cancellation policy
››
Check in prior to 1400 hours is not guaranteed and is
at the hotel’s discretion, should you wish to guarantee
early check in you must book and pay for the previous
night
››
Hotels will require an imprint of your credit card at checkin
for any incidentals
››
If you wish to check-in after 1700 hours you must
indicate your arrival time on the form to avoid a “noshow”
room release penalty
Accommodation
venues
1. Hilton Melbourne South Wharf
*****
2 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf Vic 3002
W: www.newmelbourne.com.au
Set in the heart of South Wharf and directly adjacent to the
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the stylish
Hilton Melbourne South Wharf boasts contemporary guest
rooms and suites offering panoramic views of the bay and
the bustling city having been innovatively designed and
inspired by the iconic Yarra River.
King bed guest room
AUD270
2. Crowne Plaza ****
1-5 Spencer Street
Melbourne Vic 3005
W: www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/
melbourne/melfs/hoteldetail
Crowne Plaza Melbourne is in the heart of the city’s vibrant
docklands. Their bright Lobby is alive with conversation
and as you step into their lobby you’ll know you’re in good
company. Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a 5-minute walk from
Southern Cross rail station and a 2-minute stroll to the
tramways for swift travel across the city
Standard room
Map
AUD255
16

Registration
information
Please read the following information carefully. To ensure you are registered for the conference, your completed
registration form together with appropriate payment must be received by the dates listed below. Conference registration
cannot be confirmed until payment is received. All fees are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST.
Registration fees
Earlybird
Up to 13 February 2012
Late / onsite
On or after 13 February 2012
Fulltime
Organisational Stakeholder (GRI Member) AUD1,650 AUD1,750
Non-member AUD1,850 AUD1,950
Non-profit organisation AUD850 AUD950
Registration entitlements
Fulltime registration
Pre-conference master classes
Session attendance
Industry exhibition admission
Morning/afternoon tea, lunch in exhibition
Program book and other conference materials
Welcome reception
Gala dinner
Optional activity at additional cost
17

Registration
information CONT.
Registration cancellation policy
››
All cancellations must be notified in writing to the
conference managers.
››
Cancellations received on or before 31 January 2012 will
be refunded in full, less a 25% administration fee. No
registration refunds will be made after this date.
››
As an alternative to cancellation, your registration may
be transferred to another member of your organisation,
subject to a AUD33 processing fee.
Payment
››
All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST.
››
Payment must accompany your registration form.
››
Your registration can not be confirmed until payment is
received.
››
Payment must be received by the due date to receive
the discount, otherwise the next level of payment will
be charged.
Credit card
››
Payment by credit card is acceptable. Please note that
debits to your credit card will appear as Event Planners
Australia on your statement.
››
Faxed registration forms are acceptable only if payment
is by credit card or EFT.
Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
››
Payment may also be made by electronic funds transfer.
››
Please ensure the amount transferred is equal to the
total due INCLUDING any bank charges.
››
To assist in the allocation of your payment, please fax
remittance advice to +61 2 9213 4099 immediately
after the transfer to ensure prompt allocation of your
payment.
››
Please ensure that your name, conference acronym GRI
AU 12 and invoice number are included on the transfer
notice.
Bank:
National Australia Bank
Account name: MCI Australia Pty Ltd
BSB number: 084-255
Account number: 59 650 0566
Swift code:
NATAAU3302S
Privacy statement
Your name and contact information including electronic
address, may be used by parties directly related
to the event such as the organisers and approved
stakeholders, for relevant purposes such as promotion,
networking and administration of this, and future
events of this type.
In addition, your name, organisation and state/country
of origin may be published on the delegate list which is
provided to delegates, exhibitors and sponsors at the
event.
Email communication
By providing your email address and facsimile number
on the accompanying form, you consent to be
contacted by these methods in relation to this event
and future events of this type.
Should you not wish your details to be used for any
of the above purposes, please contact the conference
managers at griaustralia@globalreporting.org
Intention to photograph and video
Delegates and others are advised that photographs
and video may be taken during the conference and
reproduced for promotional purposes.
Cheques
››
Cheques or drafts must be in Australian currency, drawn
on an Australian bank and free of all charges.
››
Cheques should be made payable to MCI Australia Pty
Ltd.
››
Cheques should be mailed to:
MCI Australia
547 Harris Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
AUSTRALIA
18

Registration form
Please register online at www.australiangriconference.org
or complete and return this form to the conference managers.
Deadlines
13 February 2012: earlybird registration closes
6 February 2012: accommodation bookings required
The Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability
and Integrated Reporting Melbourne 2012
c/- MCI Australia
547 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
T: +61 2 9213 4055
F: +61 2 9213 4099
E: registration_griaustralia@globalreporting.org
W: www.australiangriconference.org
1. PERSONAL DETAILS
Title (e.g. Prof/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)
First name
Last name
Organisation
Position
Postal address
Suburb/town
Country
Telephone (work)
Telephone (mobile)
Email
State
Postcode
Fax
2. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Please note any specific dietary, wheelchair access or other requirements:
Vegetarian Vegan Gluten free Lactose free Kosher* Halal*
Other allergies**:
* Please note that Kosher and Halal meals may incur additional charges.
**Please contact the conference managers to discuss other dietary requirements and specifics of allergies.
Wheelchair access
Other requirement:
3. ON-SITE EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Where you are staying during the event? (name of hotel, family member, home)
In Case of Emergency:
Name of Person to Contact:
Phone: (Include appropriate country, city & area codes)
Relationship to You:
4. INSURANCE
Participants must be appropriately covered for travel insurance, including but not limited to repatriation and medical expenses, as well as public liability insurance.
5. REGISTRATION FEES
Earlybird
(on or before 13 February 2012)
Standard
(after 13 February 2012)
Fulltime registration Organisational Stakeholder (GRI Member) $1,650 $1,750
Fulltime registration non Organisational Stakeholder (GRI Member) $1,850 $1,950
Fulltime non profit organisation $850 $950
Name for name badge:
Please complete all pages of this form to ensure you are correctly registered. ➜
19

6. PRE-CONFERENCE MASTER CLASS: Monday 26 March 2012
Please tick (ü) the appropriate box
(Limited places available)
Select Master class(es) Sub total $
1 x Master class $300 Master class 1: Master Class on Materiality
Master class 2: Master Class on Communications and Marketing
Master class 3: Your story, my story and the truth: how to get the most out of assurance
Master class 4: A strategic approach to stakeholder engagement
Master class 5: GRI Master Class – An Introduction to GRI
2 x Master class $500 Master class 1 & 3 Master class 2 & 3
Master class 2 & 4 Master class 1 & 4
Master class 5 & 3 Master class 5 & 4
7. FUNCTIONS
Some costs are included in registration fees. Refer to page 17 for details of your entitlements. For catering purposes it is essential you mark every box.
Please tick (ü) or cross (û) the appropriate box.
Fulltime delegate Please ü or û Guest ticket Please ü or û Total no. of tickets Sub total $
Monday 26 March 2012
Welcome Reception Included yes no $50 yes no
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Conference Dinner Included yes no $150 yes no
8. ACCOMMODATION (see page 16 for details)
››
Accommodation cannot be booked unless credit card details are received with the registration form.
››
Your credit card details will be passed on to the hotel to secure your booking. The hotel may immediately deduct payment from your credit card although full
payment is usually reserved for check-out.
››
If charges are the responsibility of a third party, e.g. your employer, please provide a letter from the third party stating what charges are to be covered, e.g.
accommodation only, mini bar, all charges.
››
Hotels may levy a surcharge on credit card payments.
››
A tax invoice for accommodation will be issued by the hotel on check-out.
››
New accommodation bookings will not be accepted by the conference managers after 6 February 2012. From this time, bookings should be made directly
with the hotel or via an accommodation reservation website.
Please book the following accommodation:
Check-in: / / 2012 ETA: am/pm Check-out: / / 2012 ETD: am/pm
Venue Room type Rate per room per night
Hilton Melbourne King $270
Crowne Plaza Standard $255
I would prefer a non-smoking room yes no
I will be accompanied by / have arranged to share with:
Other requirements (e.g. rollaway bed, cot):
9. PAYMENT METHOD
››
Payment must accompany your registration form.
››
Conference registration cannot be confirmed until payment is received.
››
Payment must be received by the due date to receive the nominated discount, otherwise the next level of payment will be charged.
››
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars and include GST.
Cheque/international bank draft — cheques should be made out to ‘MCI Australia Pty Ltd’. Payment must be made in Australian dollars payable to an
Australian bank and free of all charges.
Electronic funds transfer (EFT) — please refer page 18 for account details
Credit card — charges as per this form are to be debited to: Credit card — accommodation only:
Mastercard Visa American Express Diners Club
Name on card
Credit card number
Expiry date
Card holder’s signature
Please note that debits to your credit card, excluding accommodation, will appear as MCI Australia on your credit card statement.
A tax invoice will be forwarded to all Australian delegates on receipt of a completed registration form. ABN: 76 108 781 988.
10. CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION
By registering for the Australian GRI Conference on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting 2012, delegates agree to abide by the conditions set out in this
brochure.
20
Please complete all pages of this form to ensure you are correctly registered.