SB’17 Detroit will deliver everything our community has come to expect from an SB event — and more! In addition to market leading insights and inspiration, you’ll find a community of courageous optimists who are ready for open and honest conversation, enabled with plenty of unique opportunities to connect with and learn alongside new and old friends.
Bookmark this page as we continue to announce new learning adventures for attendees that are possible because of our journey to Detroit. And don’t forget to bring both your running, AND your dancing shoes!
The Greening of Detroit Park in Honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs
1463 East Jefferson Street, Detroit, MI 48207
The Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Sustainable Brands are planting 40 trees at the Greening of Detroit Park in honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs. The new trees are part of the City of Detroit’s efforts to reforest city parks and restore the tree canopy throughout Detroit. Learn more or sign up to help here!
Activation Hub
Join the Sustainable Brands community for a drink and some bites at the annual welcome reception. Say ‘hi’ to old friends, welcome new community-members and get excited for the week ahead. Make the most of the first night by participating in the ‘Good Life’ engagement activity during the evening. You’re sure to meet some new SB’ers, who may turn out lifelong friends and colleagues!
Tuesday: Activation Hub
Wednesday: Main Stage
SB Innovation Open is a business plan competition unlike any other. It’s a showcase of creativity, innovative thinking and solution based approaches that seek to make a significant environmental, social and economic impact within the business world. The SBIO fosters collaboration between early stage eco-entrepreneurs and influential executives. Don’t miss the pitch-offs in the Activation Hub, and then the finale on the main stage Wednesday afternoon. Learn more >>
Eastern Market, Shed 3
2934 Russell Street, Detroit MI 48207
SB Gather happens on Wednesday night at Eastern Market, where artists, farmers, makers, and merchants have been redefining the good life since 1841. The SB community will indulge in dancing and food trucks, while taking in the largest historic public market in the United States.
Join Cone Communications Wednesday night at the iconic Eastern Market for an evening of impact and amusement. Unwind in the Cone lounge or make your mark on a mural being created in real-time by local artist and Detroit native, Desiree Kelly.
Various Locations
To facilitate meaningful connections, we’ll have sign-up boards for Birds of a Feather dinners, discussions, meet-ups and whatever else you can think of. Grab a sign at registration desk or in the gift lounge and write your topic, meet-up location and time, and wait for like-minded attendees to sign up throughout the day. These informal dinners and discussions have proven to be some of the most popular and valuable offerings at SB, year after year.
PARTNER Hotels
Clear your mind and get your body moving by joining pre-plenary morning yoga and meditation. Join fellow attendees at our official partner hotels, The Crowne Plaza, The Westin Book Cadillac, and The Marriott at The Renaissance Center.
Yoga hosted by lululemon – 6:30am – 7:30am, The Crowne Plaza, Pontchartrain Room
Yoga – 6:30am – 7:30am, The Marriott at The Renaissance Center, Ambassador 3 (Follow signs for Helipad)
Yoga hosted by lululemon – 6:30am – 7:30am, The Crowne Plaza, Pontchartrain Room
Yoga & Meditation – 7:00am – 7:30am, The Westin Book Cadillac, Esquire Room
Yoga – 6:30am – 7:30am, The Marriott at The Renaissance Center, Ambassador 3 (Follow signs for Helipad)
Yoga – 6:30 – 7:30am, The Crowne Plaza, Pontchartrain Room
Yoga & Meditation – 7:00am – 7:30am, The Westin Book Cadillac, Esquire Room
Yoga – 6:30am – 7:30am, The Marriott at The Renaissance Center, Ambassador 3 (Follow signs for Helipad)
Detroit has become a hotbed of innovation. For an additional fee, various tours will take you inside Detroit’s most innovative projects where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the people reinventing Detroit. Gain an insider’s perspective of where Detroit has come from and more importantly, where it is going.
Detroit Experience Factory
123 Monroe St Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit is a city rich in history, grand buildings and vibrant art surrounding public places. Join the Detroit Experience Factory as we dive into the Art & Architecture of the greater downtown area. We will explore some of the great contributions of prolific architects and emerging artists, making stops to admire their mastery along the way. Learn more >>
Campus Martius Park – 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48225
A great deal of development has taken place along the Woodward Corridor in recent years and Downtown is at the epicenter of it all. On this tour, you’ll see several major developments as well as unique shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants and recently renovated residential options. Along with some of Downtown’s most historic parks, we will also see some of Detroit’s reknowned sports stadiums and state-of-the-art 1920’s theaters. Learn more >>
Rivard Plaza, 1340 Atwater Street, Detroit, MI 48207
The Detroit RiverWalk is one of the city’s greatest public spaces and is operated by the Riverfront Conservancy. The Riverwalk is a promenade with multiple parks that, when finished, will extend for 5 ½ miles from The Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle Bridge. Approximately 4 miles of it are currently completed. It is anchored by Rivard Plaza which offers free parking, bike rentals, concession stands and carousel rides. Learn more >>
Cobo Center, WASHINGTON BLVD & JEFFERSON AVE ENTRANCE
Ford Motor Company put Detroit and the world on wheels. This tour will show you that they are still going strong by innovating and focusing on sustainability. On our way to seeing the F-150 being built at the storied Rouge Plant, we will swing by the Historic Piquette Plant and Ford World Headquarters.* Learn more >>
* To substitute a tour for a Monday workshop, please contact Lizzy Hearne for more information.
COBO CENTER, WASHINGTON BLVD & JEFFERSON AVE ENTRANCE
Detroit has over 1,400 urban farms and gardens and on this tour we invite you to get a taste of neighborhood revitalization in action through agriculture. We’ll visit Oakland Avenue Farm, Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) Community Resource Center build, the Greening of Detroit Market Garden in Eastern Market and the indoor hydroponic, Artesian Farms as different examples of how urban agriculture is having a positive effect on the Detroit community. We’ll also talk about how Detroit’s land use policies over the decades have shaped the urban farming landscape. By the end of the tour you’ll have an insider’s perspective of how Detroit is defining what a 21st century can look like.* Learn more >>
* To substitute a tour for a Monday workshop, please contact Lizzy Hearne for more information.
COBO CENTER, WASHINGTON BLVD & JEFFERSON AVE ENTRANCE
The themes that are shaping Detroit right now are opportunity and innovation. During this tour you’ll see how those themes are woven throughout the city. We will take you inside Detroit’s most innovative projects where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the people reinventing Detroit. By day’s end you’ll have an insider’s perspective of where Detroit has come from and more importantly where it is going. Learn more >>
Cobo Center, 251BC
What motivates you to reuse or donate old clothing? Eliminating consumer waste in the environment? De-cluttering your home? According to the Savers 2017 State of Reuse Report, for most people, helping their community is the key driver for them to reuse or donate their clothing.
Join Savers for a conversation about how organizations can help cultivate community through reuse. The panel discussion will bring together “reuse” experts from three organizations that are on different sides of the reuse world – repairing, reselling and upcycling – to discuss consumer motivations and how their organization is helping people redefine the good life by reusing goods – and in turn building a community.
Cobo Center, 252AB
Thailand Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) is a national development concept introduced by late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and it is well recognized by UNESCO as one of the best approaches toward sustainable development. It’s based on putting moderation and balance at the center of development strategy. Similarly, Bhutan Gross National Happiness (GNH) aims to promote happiness and sustainability by balancing economic growth with the deeper inner values of society. Join our morning conversation to explore how SEP and GNH can be applied by business and yet ensure global sustainability.
Cobo Center, 251BC
Youth are serving. Brands are investing. The world is watching. Together, through membership, leadership and corporate support, we have the unique opportunity to inspire, activate and elevate youth in volunteerism globally as well as your brand awareness and positioning around the world.
Join the Secretary General of the World Scout Movement Ahmad Alhendawi for a presentation on youth volunteerism and a monumental commitment that can only be made at Sustainable Brands.
Cobo Center, 251BC
In 2002, William McDonough and Michael Braungart launched the design framework known as “Cradle to Cradle” in their seminal book of the same name. Corporate focus on sustainability has evolved considerably in the 15 years since. Join a conversation with McDonough and Paul Murray, vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs at Shaw Industries, regarding the increased focus on the circular economy, human health and well-being and other pivotal shifts toward “Redefining the Good Life.”
Cobo Center, 251BC
How is e-commerce changing the world of logistics? And how can we balance its environmental consequences with “on demand” consumerism? UPS will host a working lunch to discuss the expectations of today’s consumers and offer lessons learned to shape the future of sustainable e-commerce. Panel includes Ed Rogers, Senior Director of Global Sustainability at UPS, joined by Larisa Summers, SVP, E-Commerce & Digital Marketing at Optoro.
This working lunch is available by invite only, request an invitation HERE.
Cobo Center, 252AB
Cobo Center, 250BC
Looking for new ways to engage customers and investors on your sustainability strategy? Join us for insightful discussion on a new generation of sustainability metrics that quantify the positive impacts of environmental stewardship across the corporate value chain – from minimized financial risk exposures to alignment with energy transition pathways and low carbon, resource efficient goals.
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