Apr 15 2008
Nearly two months out from this June's Sustainable Brands conference in Monterey, California, sign ups are already topping last year's final figures. Sustainable Brands is rapidly cementing itself as the place to be for brands on the path to sustainability, and providing further evidence that the global movement towards sustainable innovation is thriving even in a complex economic environment.
Over 75 speakers from companies such as Best Buy, Dow, Clorox, Earthbound Farms, Gap Inc., InterfaceFLOR, HP, Johnson Controls, Keen Footware, Method, Steelcase, Seventh Generation will share their strategies for translating a commitment to sustainability into revenue growth, improved customer and employee retention, and new brand value.
New brands signed up to attend SB'08 represent a wide range of companies including Boeing, Disney, Dupont, Hurley, Intuit, Kraft, Kimberly Clark, Nordstrom, Torani, Pepsi, Williams Sonoma and more. As many as 500 will be there to interact with industry leaders, discuss challenges with peers and learn from the top researchers, innovative thinkers and sustainable design, operations and communications experts. Covering both the internal and external issues of building a successful sustainable brand, the conference is a unique forum for promoting team learning, and for connecting with like-minded executives while examining the underlying issues, hard choices, and proven success stories of those at the forefront of creating profitable change.
One of the key content themes at the conference is Market Drivers & Emerging Opportunities, which will cover the latest research from around the world on changes in perception, participation and demand among a wide range of stakeholders, including consumers, suppliers, investors and employees. Anchored by brand, sustainability and research experts such as The Natural Marketing Institute, BBMG, MindClick, KLD, The Climate Group, SustainAbility, The Center for Sustainable Innovation, The Breakthrough Institute, The Int'l Union for the Conservation of Nature and others, this topic thread will also offer attendees a glimpse into how ongoing changes in the natural world, emerging governmental regulation and NGO pressures are impacting the ongoing drive toward sustainable business practices.
Market Drivers topics include "Changing Consumer Sentiment Around 'Green Marketing,'" "The Impending Mandate for Eco-Impact Disclosure; What's Next with Labeling," "The Future of Sustainable Business Metrics: Measuring Your Social Footprint," and "Global Trends in Sustainable Brand Innovation -- How to Keep Ahead of the Game."