Special Events at SB'26
From curated networking experiences to collaborative gatherings, SB’26 San Diego special events create space for meaningful conversations, new partnerships, and shared inspiration across the sustainability community.
At SB’26 San Diego, we’re creating intentional spaces for connection beyond the main program – bringing together sustainability leaders, innovators, and changemakers to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and spark the collaborations that move markets forward. These gatherings are designed to help you build trusted relationships, gain fresh perspective, and carry new momentum back to your work long after the event ends.
As Sustainable Brands marks our 20th anniversary, this year’s special events will also feature unique activations that celebrate the global community that has helped shape and scale sustainable brand innovation over the past two decades. This milestone is both a reflection point and a call to action – an opportunity to come together, confront the realities of the moment, and ALL RISE to ensure the future of sustainable business remains strong, relevant, and impactful.
New Attendee Breakfast
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am - 9:00am
New to SB'26? Join veteran attendees for breakfast to learn the to-do's for our Flagship Conference.
SB Member Network Breakfast
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am - 9:00am
Welcome to the SB Member Network! Kick off SB'26 with a meet and greet breakfast.
The Next 20 Years Shared Visioning Activity
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 10 | 8:00am - 2:00pm
Join us as we celebrate accomplishments of the past 20 years and co-create visioning of the next 20. We'll ideate and graphically record what we want to see in the future and how we will get there.
Opening Night Welcome Reception
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kick-off the week, full of new connections, at the Opening Night Reception.
Karaoke
Monday, June 8 | 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Warm up your vocal chords and get ready to sing the night away at SB's Karaoke night!
Rainbow Mixer
Monday, June 8 | 9:00pm - 10:30pm
Join the SB LGBTQ+ & Ally Community for the 10th annual Rainbow Mixer.
Sunrise Yoga
Monday, June 8 | 6:30am - 7:30am
Wednesday, June 10 | 6:30am - 7:30am
Greet the sunrise with an all-levels rejuvenating yoga class!
Sunrise Networking Fun Run
Tuesday, June 9 | 6:45am
Wednesday, June 10 | 6:45am
Need a boost of energy and some new connections? Join us for our early morning networking fun run!
Guided Meditation Session
Monday, June 8 | 3:00pm
Join Jeff Gowdy and give yourself the time and space to settle in, to ground, and to arrive in the present moment in our Guided Meditation Session.
Morning Intention Setting Circle
Tuesday, June 9 | 7:00am
Set the tone for your day with a morning intention setting tea circle with Sarah Scarborough of the Tea Huntress.
Evening Gratitude Circle
Tuesday, June 9 | 7:00pm
Come unwind and recalibrate your nervous system with an evening gratitude tea circle guided by Sarah Scarborough of the Tea Huntress.
Activation Hub
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 10 | 8:00am - 2:00pm
Visit the SB Activation Hub which serves as the leading arena for brands to showcase their innovative technologies and services designed to drive and transform toward a regenerative future.
Unconference Breakfast Networking
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am - 9:00am
Start the day with participant-led discussions where you help set the agenda and spark new ideas.
Unconference Lunch Conversations
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 9-10 | 12:30pm
Turn your lunch break into a lively exchange of ideas through self-organized, topic-driven conversations.
Birds of a Feather Dinner
Tuesday, June 9 | 6:30pm
Join a Birds of a Feather dinner and come prepared to guide or enjoy captivating conversation!
SB Member Network Lunch
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Fuel your network and finish off SB'26 right. Join us for the SB Member Network Lunch
SB Brand Leadership Awards
Wednesday, June 10 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Attend the inaugural SB Brand Leadership Awards ceremony and be among the first to know who the winners are!
Campfire Conversations
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, June 7-9 | 8:00pm
Gather around the evening campfires for deep conversations and tasty treats.
Beach Cleanup & Sunset Boat Cruise
Wednesday, June 10 | 5:00pm
Join Sustainable Brands and 4ocean for an evening of impact on the water. We’re teaming up for a hands-on beach cleanup, then heading out for a sunset cruise along the coast.
New Attendee Breakfast
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am – 9:00am
Palm 5
New to SB’26? Join our veteran attendees for an informal breakfast designed to pull back the curtain on the week ahead. You’ll learn the essential ‘to-dos,’ discover the ‘can’t-miss’ sessions, and get insider tips on navigating our largest event of the year.
It’s the perfect way to turn a big conference into a small, supportive community before the first keynote even begins.
SB Member Network Breakfast
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am – 9:00am
Palm 7
Welcome to the SB Member Network! Kick off SB’26 on a high note by joining us for a special meet-and-greet breakfast designed to turn digital connections into real-world handshakes.
This is your chance to settle in, meet the faces behind the names you know, and start the week together.
The Next 20 Years Shared Visioning Activity
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30pm – 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 10 | 8:00am – 2:00pm
Golden State Ballroom
The Next 20 Years Shared Visioning Activity is sponsored by CapGemini, BBMG and Forum for the Future. Join with other attendees throughout the conference for a guided exercise revisiting all we’ve accomplished in the last 20 years while we focus on co-creating our shared vision of what we’d like to accomplish in the next 20.
Don’t miss the outcomes share out at the closing plenary on Wednesday!
Opening Night Welcome Reception
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Golden State Ballroom
Raise a glass and enjoy noshes while you kick-off the week, full of new connections, at the Opening Night Reception. Immediately following the opening Plenary, we invite you to join our reception in our Activation Hub to network, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and visit our Innovation Expo sponsors.
Be sure to stop by these booths to see these leading innovators, new products, and solutions.
Karaoke
Monday, June 8 | 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Lapper Bar
Warm up your vocal cords and join us for a night of music, laughter, and community at SB’26 Karaoke Night. After a full day of sessions and networking, step up to the mic and sing your favorite songs alongside fellow attendees in a relaxed, high-energy setting.
Hosted by:
Rainbow Mixer
Monday, June 8 | 9:00pm – 10:30pm
Join the SB LGBTQ+ community and allies for the 10th Annual Rainbow Mixer, a welcoming gathering dedicated to connection, celebration, and conversation.
This long-standing SB tradition brings together attendees from across the community to meet new colleagues, reconnect with friends, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Sunrise Yoga
Monday, June 8 | 6:30am – 7:30am
Wednesday, June 10 | 6:30am – 7:30am
Greet the sunrise with an all-levels rejuvenating yoga class offering a mix of flow elements, asanas and breathwork to help you find your center, strength, serenity and a fresh perspective as the world awakens around you.
Sunrise Networking Fun Run
Tuesday, June 9 | 6:45am
Wednesday, June 10 | 6:45am
Meet at the Town and Country Lobby
Need a boost of energy and some new connections? Join us for our early morning networking fun run!
This invigorating event combines the benefits of exercise with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to get active, make new friends, and expand your network!
Guided Meditation Session
Monday, June 8 | 3:00pm
Riverfront Park
The art of living fully in the present moment is meditation. Our time together will focus on alignment of the mind, the body, and the spirit through observation, breathwork, and walking meditation.
The intention is to provide you with three simple practices that you can take home with you to add to your own wellness practice.
Jeff Gowdy is certified in Transcendental Meditation and Usui Reiki Levels 1 and 2.
Morning Intention Setting Circle
Tuesday, June 9 | 7:00am
Lapper Lawn
Set the tone for your day with a morning intention setting tea circle with Sarah Scarborough of the Tea Huntress. Experience the calm, clarity, and focused energy awakened by leaves picked from ancient trees and prepared with intention.
Amid a full conference schedule, this guided ritual creates space to arrive fully – in your body, breath, and purpose. Sarah will lead an intention-setting practice designed to align you with your goals and the impact that you are here to make. Rooted in the ancient tradition of tea as a path of self-cultivation, this circle invites you to begin your day centered, connected, and poised for meaningful and empowered action.
Evening Gratitude Circle
Tuesday, June 9 | 7:00pm
Lapper Lawn
Come unwind and recalibrate your nervous system with an evening gratitude tea circle. As the sun sets and the day winds down, join us by the bonfire for a restorative ritual offering a gentle transition from stimulation to integration.
Tea as a practice grounds us in moments of stillness and beauty. From this rooted place, we become more focused, efficient, and impactful in our work. Through guided reflection and vibrant tea, you willl honor the connections and inspiration sparked throughout the day and give thanks for the conversations and ideas shaping a more sustainable future. Leave nourished, centered, and reconnected to your most clear, capable, and aligned self.
Activation Hub
Monday, June 8 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30pm – 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 10 | 8:00am – 2:00pm
Activation Hub
“The Activation” is the interactive expo experience within Sustainable Brands, where all attendees will meet and gather to network and connect with brands and solution providers that are reshaping the future of commerce worldwide. Brands can come together with attendees and collaborate through curated showcases, booths, and industry-specific networking discussions led by subject matter experts.
Participate at the intersection of global companies, startups, and visionary entrepreneurs who gather at SB’26 to present their cutting-edge solutions, products, and services. Spend time with these important organizations and work to develop partnerships that will reshape industries.
Explore and gain insights from these organizations who represent the next wave of technological advancements.
Unconference Breakfast Networking
Monday, June 8 | 8:00am – 9:00am
Activation Hub
Have a burning topic you’re passionate about? Eager to dive deeper into specific discussions and connect with like-minded peers? This is your chance!
Unlike traditional conferences, an unconference is all about participant-driven learning and connection. You’ll set the agenda, share your knowledge, and spark engaging conversations on topics that matter most to you and your fellow attendees.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to foster collaborative discussions and build valuable new networks.
Unconference Lunch Conversations
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 9-10 | 12:30pm
Activation Hub
Make the most of your lunch break with our self-organized networking session dedicated to spontaneous, participant-driven dialogue. Attendees can volunteer to host a table topic or simply gather at tables that align with their interests. Bring your curiosity and be ready to self-organize a truly impactful conversation.
Birds of a Feather Dinner
Tuesday, June 9 | 6:30pm
Arlo and Lapper Restaurants
Continue discussions over an informal, intimate dinner setting. Discussions will be self-organized. Please sign up to join at the SB Activation Hub on the Innovation Expo show floor.
SB Member Network Lunch
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30pm 1:30pm
Martini Lawn
Networking is better when it’s natural. Join the SB Member Network Lunch to connect with industry leaders and fellow innovators in a focused, high-value environment. Just meaningful dialogue over lunch designed to help you make the most of your membership.
SB Brand Leadership Awards
Wednesday, June 10 | 3:30pm – 4:30pm
T&C Ballroom A
The inaugural SB Brand Leadership Awards aim to recognize excellence across 8 categories of positive impact – namely, Purpose, Brand Influence, Operations & Supply Chain, Products & Services, Governance, Enabling Climate-Friendly Behaviors, Enabling Preservation of Natural Resources, and Fostering Resilient Societies.
The categories are derived from the 5 main pillars of the SB Brand Transformation Roadmap™ and the 3 main pillars of the SB Nine Sustainable Behaviors™ framework, leading to a set of rigorous criteria for each of the 8 awards.
Find out who the winners are as they get announced live on stage on the last day of SB’26 San Diego!
Campfire Conversations
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, June 7-9 | 8:00pm
Campfires #1-#5 marked around the event
Converse, network, and discuss the big ideas in an cozy setting with guided conversation led by thought leaders, innovators, and next-gen entrepreneurs while snacking on tasty treats.
Beach Cleanup & Sunset Boat Cruise
Wednesday, June 10 | 5:00pm
Make an impact. Catch the sunset. Help protect our ocean.
Join Sustainable Brands and 4ocean on June 10 for an exclusive evening where impact meets the open sea, starting with a hands-on coastal cleanup followed by a sunset cruise.
You’ll gain real insights into marine conservation, connect with fellow changemakers in an intimate setting, and have a chance to spot whales along the way.
Space is extremely limited for this unique post-plenary experience, so secure your spot now to help us turn the tide for a cleaner ocean.