World’s Top Companies Meet in Vancouver to Discuss Sustainability-Led Brand Innovation

Less than a month after Vancouver became the first city in the world to adopt a comprehensive zero waste strategic plan, and the first city in Canada to ban plastic straws and polystyrene containers, the city will host the global flagship event of one of the world’s leading corporate sustainability communities, Sustainable Brands.

Representatives from organizations including IBM, Target, Coca-Cola, The North Face, Radisson Hotel Group, IKEA and Harvard University will be in Vancouver June 4-7 to discuss why corporations should embed social and environmental purpose into the core of their brands.

Sustainable Brands Vancouver will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre (the world’s first double LEED Platinum-certified convention centre), and includes four days of speakers and panels, an interactive expo called the Activation Hub, and 10 conference tracks. This is the first time Sustainable Brands has come to Canada. The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 people from 30 countries.

Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver
“I’m delighted to welcome business leaders from around the world to Vancouver to discuss and advance sustainability. Vancouver’s action plans to be the world’s greenest city and use only 100% renewable energy – as well as our recent Zero Waste Plan – show our city’s deep commitment to our environment and creating green jobs, and it is exciting and affirming to welcome so many global companies stepping up to protect the health of our planet.”

Ken Cretney, Board Chair, Tourism Vancouver / President and CEO, BC Pavilion Corporation
“Vancouver’s entire tourism and events community is very proud to be hosting Sustainable Brands’ global flagship conference this June. With the Vancouver Convention Centre’s demonstrated leadership in environmental sustainability underscored by its two LEED Platinum certifications, the facility is a fitting home for the event. Furthermore, we have partnered with Sustainable Brands to offer a special Sustainable Event Professional Certificate Course with the goal of improving sustainability in the global meetings and events industry.”

KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder and CEO, Sustainable Brands
“We’re thrilled to convene the Sustainable Brands community in Vancouver this coming year, a city where innovation, sustainable living practices, and cutting-edge design are interwoven with daily life. At SB’18 Vancouver, we look forward to enabling collaboration and co-creation between global changemakers and local ones. Vancouverites are welcome to join our community for full conference programming and for networking and design-oriented sessions in the central hub of our conference, the Activation Hub.”

Speakers at Sustainable Brands Vancouver include many of the world’s top leaders and thinkers in corporate sustainability including: Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at Procter and Gamble; John Izzo, bestselling author and thought leader, Izzo Associates; and Jill Cress, CMO, National Geographic Partners. Sponsors include BASF, Salesforce.org, EY, Cliff Bar, Lush, Lululemon, Telus and others.

Vancouver-based speakers include Sadhu Johnson, City Manager, City of Vancouver; Esther Speck, VP, Global Sustainability, Lululemon; Gwendal Castellan, Sustainable Destination Specialist, Tourism Vancouver; Dr. Peter S. Ross, VP Research, Ocean Wise; James Tansy, Executive Director, Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing, University of British Columbia, and others.

Vancouver residents can take advantage of Sustainable Brands’ special Community Pass ($395 USD) which provides full participation in the Activation Hub, Opening Night keynote sessions and reception, and more. For full registration details visit www.SB18Vancouver.com.

www.tourismvancouver.com