Category: Events

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Events Impact Inspiration & Initiatives

Purpose-Driven Events to Attend in April – June, 2023

Participating in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) events can help your brand expand its reach and impact. That’s why Sparx has compiled a list of mission-aligned ESG events that provide valuable opportunities to increase education and discover unique perspectives, connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals, and learn innovative strategies. 

Keep scrolling to learn all about purpose-driven ESG and CSR events taking place both in Canada and internationally this April, May, and June.

April 

The New Normal: How Adaptive Leaders are Supporting Mental Health at Work

Date: April 11, from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM EDT

Location: Rotman School of Management, 105 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario 

Description: Join this expert panel discussion about critical strategies, trends, and lessons in today’s shifting mental health landscape, and discover how businesses can ensure their teams are healthy and supported.

CAMSC Procurement Fair 2023

Date: April 18 – 19, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT

Location: Beanfield Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario

Description: “Mission Possible – People, Planet, Profit” is the theme of this exciting two-day networking event. Participate in discussions and workshops, and connect with over 300 fellow attendees. 

Fifteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Date: April 20 – 21

Location: Online & In-Person at The University of British Columbia, Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: “Responding to the Climate Emergency: Scalable Solutions for the Climate-Nature Intersect” is the special focus of this mission-aligned conference. Join leading thinkers, innovators, and researchers with the goal of building a cross-disciplinary community and discussing solutions to combat climate change. 

Rebuild Equity Conference

Date: April 21, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT

Location: Ajax Convention Centre, 550 Beck Crescent, Ajax, Ontario

Description: Hosted by the Kujenga Family Wellness Project and in collaboration with community partners, this conference empowers professionals and workers from across disciplines to join forces and rebuild inclusive and equitable spaces in organizations that serve the community. Featuring keynote speaker, Joy DeGruy, expert professional on equity and diversity in supporting Black and racialized community members.

ADVANTAGE 2023

Date: April 21, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ADT

Location: Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion, 74 Esplanade, Sydney, Nova Scotia

Description: Celebrate the strength, resilience, and power of women at this empowering conference. Enjoy a line-up of guest speakers, including keynote speaker Julie Cole, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and mother of six.

Circular Economy Speaker Series: Reducing Single-Use Item Waste

Date: April 24, from  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT

Location: Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, British Columbia 

Description: Join purpose-driven businesses and nonprofits to discuss sustainability, learn from seven experts in the waste reduction space, and network over locally-made refreshments.

May

ClimateWest Forum: The benefits of early adaptation action

Date: May 3 – 4

Location: Online & In-Person at Inn at the Forks, 75 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba 

Description: Network, collaborate, and learn at this free event, which brings together ClimateWest’s expanding, multi-sector network across various communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to address the benefits of taking early action against climate impacts.

Benevity Live!

Date: May 9 – 12

Location: Limited Online Agenda; In-Person at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad, California

Description: At this four-day event, join over 500 purpose-driven companies for networking, keynote speeches, and impactful sessions with like-minded changemakers and inspiring brands.

Women of Diversity Summit & Awards 2023

Date: May 13, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM EDT

Location: The Centennial College Event Centre, 937 Progress Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

Description: Enjoy networking, expert discussions, and fireside chats, and celebrate the accomplishments of pioneering women of colour in a safe, diverse, and inclusive environment.

The Indigenous-led Economy

Date: May 16, from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM EDT

Location: The Westin Ottawa Hotel, 11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, Ontario

Description: Join Indigenous leaders and Canada 2020 for solutions-focused conversations on economic reconciliation and best practices for building wealth and well-being for Indigenous communities.

CAMSC Supplier Forum & Supplier Networking Session

Date: May 17

Location: Online

Description: Stay tuned for more details! 

Developing Diversity, Empowering Equity, Inspiring Inclusion Summit

Date: May 25 – 26

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Airport West, 5444 Dixie Road, Mississauga, Ontario

Description: Participate in speaker sessions that will provide mentorship, education, and inspiration to racialized, Indigenous, and marginalized employees and employers so they can succeed and build inclusive work environments.

The World Circular Economy Forum 2023

Date: May 30 – June 2

Location: Online participation open to all; In-person invite-only in Helsinki, Finland

Description: Get ready to explore circular economy solutions at this event, co-organized by Nordic Innovation and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, which brings together thought leaders, innovators, and international game-changers in the space. 

June 

Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase 2023

Date: Jun 1 – 2

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: Join business and Indigenous leaders for open and forthright dialogue on economic reconciliation, thought leadership, and storytelling, and learn how you can help build toward an inclusive vision of reconciliation.

Canadian Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Summit

Date: June 1, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT

Location: The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto 1, Harbour Square, Toronto, Ontario 

Description: Enjoy a full schedule packed with workshops, panels, and honest conversations that tackle the biggest questions and most pressing concerns in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.

Circularity 23 

Date: June 5 – 7

Location: Hyatt Regency, Seattle, Washington 

Description: Connect with game-changers, participate in actionable break-out sessions, and get inspired by thought-provoking keynote speakers at this solutions-oriented expo all about accelerating the circular economy. 

2023 Canadian Circular Economy Summit

Date: June 19 – 20

Location: Toronto Board of Trade Offices, Toronto, Ontario

Description: Spend two days collaborating with circular economy champions, exploring and addressing urgent environmental issues and participating in outcome-focused workshops at this summit, presented by Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and the Circular Innovation Council (CIC).

B Corp Certification Readiness – Preparing for Your B Corp Journey

Date: June 22, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT

Location: Online

Description: Learn all about what it takes to become a certified B Corporation, discover areas of positive impact where more work is needed, and determine your submission readiness at this free virtual session.

Summit on Responsible Investment

Date: June 27, from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM PDT

Location: The Innovation Centre, 460 Doyle Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia

Description: The Canadian Securities Exchange and Sparx Publishing Group are teaming up to host the first-ever Summit on Responsible Investment. Get the latest insights on socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) trends and regulations, and enjoy presentations from industry experts and a late-afternoon networking reception. Admission fees are by-donation only, with the proceeds collected going to support the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

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Events Impact Inspiration & Initiatives Work Life & Culture

Brand Battle For Good 2022 Recap: Uniting to Fight Social Isolation

In Vancouver, social isolation is a silent epidemic. While already known as a city where it’s difficult to make friends, the pandemic, a lack of equity and inclusion, and financial issues have only made things worse. 

When Sparx discovered that Brand Battle for Good (BBFG) 2022 was uniting local brands across Vancouver to fight social isolation, we had to step into the ring. After all, we’re always searching for new ways to make the world better.

It was a thrilling battle, indeed! Check out what we learned and our key takeaways from this exciting, impact-focused melee.

Uniting to Tackle Social Isolation

Over the course of two days, Sparx joined forces with a diverse team (known as “The Disruptors”) at BBFG to ideate tangible ways to fight social isolation. Together, we attended and participated in seminars and team breakouts to expand our understanding of social isolation and combine our unique perspectives to workshop possible solutions. 

During the workshop portion, we learned that issues related to social isolation are even more varied and urgent than we ever realized. Different personas have different requirements to solve social isolation, which means finding a solution that can help everyone is extremely difficult. 

Stigma, income inequality, and other barriers prevent people from gaining a sense of connectedness and belonging. This is a serious concern, as the extent to which a person can meet their basic needs, cultivate friendships, and secure a sense of place within a community is also associated with their vulnerability to mental illness. 

We know how painful feeling isolated can be. Like many businesses, when the pandemic hit, we closed our downtown offices. While switching to operating remotely has allowed us to continue our work and hire talented people who may not have applied otherwise, we also acknowledge that remote work has contributed to the social isolation of our team. We’re constantly seeking ways to make our team feel more connected, but it’s an on-going effort. 

While our story may have a happy ending in sight, many of our friends and family members are still far away from theirs. And knowing that so many people in Vancouver are being damaged by the impacts of social isolation has made us even more determined to fight.

Combatting Isolation through Storytelling 

Sparx has always believed that storytelling is powerful, and BBFG drove this point home. There were a number of inspirational and impactful stories shared by special guests at the in-person portion of the event. 

For example, Carlos Norcia shared a personal story about social isolation and depression in Vancouver.

Chaandani Khan talked about how she experienced social isolation after concussion brain surgery and how her health condition impacted her ability to connect with others.

Indigenous hoop dancer, Eli Gosselin-Rattlesnake shared his culture’s history and performed a ceremonial healing dance.

And Genesa Greening from Vancity taught us that community is a verb, an action, that “we become connected when we get to share our stories,” and how we all need to “find a place to tell our story.”

Pitches were also presented through storytelling, which proved effective in communicating fresh perspectives on the issue and highlighting the ways each solution could help.

Reflections from the Ring 

We have a lot to think about after participating in the Brand Battle for Good hackathon.

Through our experience, we came to realize that while important to dream big, issues like social isolation are complex. Even if you cannot help everyone, helping just one person is worthwhile. 

We also learned the importance of keeping things simple. Low-tech, low-cost, accessible solutions are the key to reaching people and overcoming social isolation and other pressing concerns. After all, good solutions may already exist, but the people who need them aren’t necessarily able to access them.

While we noted that this year all the finalists were from teams composed only of individuals from their respective companies, we were exceptionally fortunate to have been on a team that included people we wouldn’t have otherwise met. Reflecting on this, we realize that getting to meet new people means venturing beyond our “comfort zone” – something that is at the heart of tackling social isolation.

And, even though our pitch didn’t “win,” the day was a win for those who are suffering from social isolation. It was a victorious day for all of the participants who contributed their collective creative efforts in order to address a problem that hits close to home for all. 

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention how exceptionally well organized and supported the event was. It was a true testament to the strong leadership of the founders and showcased how the Brand Battle For Good can harness talented individuals and brands to collaborate – and even compete – to make positive change. Congratulations to the winning concept, Hello Yello, and a sincere thank you to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly and with such passion to bring a wonderful event to life. We look forward to seeing what happens at the next round, next year! 

Team up with Sparx 

Do you want to join the fight for better? Check out Make the World Better Magazine to find out more about organizations making real change, and reach out to us. We’d love to work together to make a positive impact both locally and globally.

Categories
Events Impact Inspiration & Initiatives Work Life & Culture

Zero Waste Conference 2022 Recap: Inspiring a Flood of Change

In the words of spoken word artist Shane Koyczan, “Change is like the rain, it starts with a single drop.” 

Well, the recent Zero Waste Conference (ZWC), where Koyczan delivered an incredible spoken word performance of Shoulders, felt like a deluge! 

From changing how we view waste to presenting tangible ways companies and consumers can alter business practices, the conference got us inspired about building a waste-free future.

Here’s a recap of the event and key takeaways that won’t stop circling in our thoughts.

Embarking on the Zero Waste Journey Together

At this two-day event, Sparx had the chance to attend panel discussions, learn from guest speakers, network and participate in side events such as the National Zero Waste Council Members Breakfast Forum and a session on Advancing a Circular Economy Strategy for Canada.

There was so much to take in, however it was amazing to see so many people from different backgrounds come together to engage on the topic of zero waste. Not only did the ZWC shed light on the many urgent calls to ensure both nature and communities thrive, it also reminded us that there are many like-minded innovative thinkers who are committed to circularity. 

For us, another big highlight was seeing individuals and organizations featured in Make The World Better magazine share the same stage. Cody Irwin of Sharewares (Issue 1), Sumreen Rattan of Moment Energy (Issue 2), and Jessica Regan of FoodMesh (Issue 3) provided the audience with compelling examples of the impact these entrepreneurs and their respective teams are achieving! 

Facing the Facts

There were a lot of important insights and discussions during the event, which brought the challenges facing our planet into sharper focus. 

Some alarming numbers define the work ahead:

  • 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year
  • Cities occupy 3% of global land surface, consume 75% of global resources, and produce 60-80% of global greenhouse gas emissions 
  • 65% of consumers want to buy from purposeful brands but only 26% do

As dire as these numbers are, there is hope. We were inspired by many speakers but, in particular from Jenn Harper and Michael Pawlyn, whose presentations reminded us that the solutions to our current problems abound in nature and that work is well underway to shift towards a more circular economy. 

Rethinking Our View of Waste

One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was when Katie Treggiden presented her closing remarks on rethinking and recategorizing waste. By redrawing our mental model of the idea of ‘waste’ from something that should be discarded into something that has value, we can rethink all points along a production sequence to move towards circularity. 

By starting with the end in mind and recognizing that what we view as disruption is actually going back to the way we used to do things (i.e before mass production methods became the norm), we can start making tangible progress to address the problems stated above. Somewhat poetically, we have to go back to where we came from in order to truly move forward. 

Another important piece of advice given by Treggiden was that we are all capable of sustainably effecting change, and the best way to do that is to find the intersection of what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we love doing – a piece of wisdom that is very close to the Japanese concept of ikigai. 

Marketing the Circular Economy

We heard it in the words of Koyczan that “stories burn lessons into our memories, they become how we remember.” 

These words resonate with our view that storytelling and marketing will be essential to moving hearts and minds to get on board with embracing the circular economy. 

We believe, as the ZWC does, that by amplifying good through providing a platform for changemakers, efforts like Make The World Better magazine can inform others about the work being done to reduce and rethink waste, and in the process inspire a flood of change, one drop at a time. 

Next Steps

Do you want to help build a zero-waste future? Start by reading and sharing the circular economy edition of Make The World Better magazine. Find out more about organizations making real change, and how to support them. 

If you need marketing to reach a broader audience regarding your circular economy-based solution, reach out to us. We’d love to learn more and chat.