Community Updates

Transforming Brands through Sustainable Innovation takes Center Stage in Detroit

Business leaders within the Sustainable Brands community are fast tracking the sustainability agenda.

By Sustainable Brands | Published 5 years ago | About a 4 minute read

Image: Sustainable Brands

Nearly 3,000 global brand and sustainability executives are gathering at SB’19 Detroit, June 3-6, to learn how advancements in science and technology are disrupting their industries, create uncommon collaborations that foster unique solutions, and discover what consumers are looking for from brands today.

Companies such as Procter & Gamble, Alaska Airlines, Caesars Entertainment, L’Oréal and others are coming with teams to share how brands are transforming themselves in a changing marketplace. The event will bring nearly 300 influential leaders and cutting-edge practitioners of environmental and social innovation together as speakers to host interactive discussions, breakout sessions, plenary presentations, deep-dive workshops and networking activities. Highlights of the conference program include:

Five educational program tracks specifically designed for mainstream businesses who are navigating their journey towards more sustainable business practices. Each track provides a lens for learning and inspiration, including: Purpose, Brand Influence & Engagement, Operations & Supply Chain, Product & Service Innovation, and Governance.

Key topics within each program track are designed for in depth conversation and include: Circular Economy; Packaging; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted by Caesars Entertainment; Storytelling hosted by National Geographic; Plastics; Technology, and more.

An expansive Innovation Expo showcasing 100+ companies that will bring together mission-driven business leaders who have solutions to obstacles facing brands today. Companies holding networking activities and conversations in the Innovation Expo include: BASF, Nestlé, Braskem, Unifi, DTE Energy, Procter & Gamble, EY, Dow and others.

A full conference program with passionate speakers will inspire and ignite conversation, including:

Procter & Gamble Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, will reveal new insight into how P&G is working to leverage their brands to enable responsible and sustainable consumption practices amongst their consumer base, otherwise known as the intention-to-action gap.
Danone Valérie Hernando-Presse, CMO, will share cutting-edge practices and lessons in building authentic purposeful consumer engagement in practice / infusing marketing with purpose and fully embedding sustainability values in marketing.
Mastercard Kristina Kloberdanz, Chief Sustainability Officer, will highlight a new business strategy and unveil products and features that enable more sustainable lifestyles.
BanQu, Inc Ashish Gadnis, Co-Founder & CEO will discuss how we can apply blockchain to create economic identities for people in extreme poverty and other underserved communities.
Sambazon Ryan Black, CEO, will provide share lessons in building an ethical, fair and sustainable supply chain through innovative partnerships that create shared value and delight customers.
Lonely Whale Dune Ives, Executive Director, will tell the story behind the success of #Strawless and share details about an exciting new campaign against plastic pollution.
BASF Dirk Voeste, Vice President of Sustainability Strategy, will explore accelerating superior sustainability performance and launching profitable social-impact businesses.
Nestlé USA Alicia Enciso, CMO, will share how Nestlé is supporting environmental and social startups through new acquisition, incubator and accelerator programs
Kellogg Company Steven Cahillane, CEO, will discuss embedding purpose into business growth strategy and operating with an eye toward making a real difference for future generations.
Little Miss Flint Mari Copeny will inspire by talking about youth activism and leadership in times of crisis, and share her lessons for brands on collaborating with the next generation.

“After three years of studying what The Good Life means to both brands and consumers, through a series of thoughtful conversations and the introduction of new tools, we are creating a one of a kind experience designed to help our customers realize their full potential,” states KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder of Sustainable Brands. “At SB’19 Detroit, we will lead an honest and open discussion on how science, technology, storytelling and constructive partnerships are helping reshape how brands will succeed in the tumultuous years ahead,” Skrzyniarz said.

Sustainable Brands is proud to recognize the many sponsors already committed to showcasing their brand leadership in Detroit, including Presenting Sponsor BASF and Lead Sponsor National Geographic. Additional sponsors include Procter & Gamble, Vinyl Sustainability Council, Caesars Entertainment, Cone Communications a Porter Novelli Company, Braskem, Cox Automotive, Danone, Detroit Convention Bureau, DTE Energy, EY, Kellogg Company, Nestlé, Salterbaxter MSL, UNIFI, The Dow Chemical Company, Alaska Airlines, Keurig Dr Pepper and others.

For further information on the conference program, a growing list of confirmed speakers and sponsors or available sponsorship opportunities, please visit the conference website at www.SB19Detroit.com or call (415) 626-2212. Registration is now open and global business leaders with innovative solutions are encouraged to participate.