With a new year filled with swirling uncertainties, purpose-driven events can offer the perfect opportunity to spark meaningful change and foster connection across a wide range of causes, including sustainability, diversity and inclusion, climate action, finding your social purpose, and more.
We’ve tracked down 30+ learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities to kick off the year, both online and in-person, in Canada and globally, so you can amplify good.
Keep scrolling to learn all about the purpose-driven events happening this January, February, and March.
January
Master Recycler Vancouver Annual Conference
Date: January 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST
Location: Online
Description: Organized by the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) and Master Recycler volunteers, this event brings together experts, industry leaders, and community members to share strategies for reducing plastic pollution.
Building Your Social Purpose Business – Session 3: Crafting Your Unique Social Purpose Statement
Date: January 21, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 9:15 PM PST
Location: Online
Description: This complimentary five-session educational series is presented by the BC Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Canadian Purpose Economy Project (CPEP), and supported by Coast Capital. Register for session 3 to unlock practical insights and tools to help you create a powerful social purpose statement and narrative for your business.
20th Global Conference on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Sustainability (GCEIS)
Date: January 24 – 26, 2025
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: At this international conference, learn about merging business innovation with environmental sustainability, explore eco-investment trends, and be inspired to lead the way to a more sustainable future.
Date: January 27 – 29, 2025
Location: San Diego, California
Description: Ready for three days of high-quality meetings and deal-making? This event connects investors, corporate executives, and innovators to fuel business growth, explore climate solutions, and make an impact.
The 2025 IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Summit
Date: January 27 – 29, 2025
Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, British Columbia
Description: Explore sustainable solutions for global travel and tourism alongside destination marketing organizations (DMOs), tourism operators, government, Indigenous leaders, and academia at this annual global summit.
Living Wage Deep Dive Series – Session 3: Driving Progress: Multi-Stakeholder Engagement for Living Wage
Date: January 28, 2025, at 3:00 AM PST
Location: Online
Description: Did you know roughly one third of all workers are estimated to earn less than they need to afford a decent standard of living? Explore how businesses can collaborate with stakeholders to advance the living wage agenda.
Breaking Barriers: Leadership Diversity Forum
Date: January 29, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM EST
Location: Metro Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Learn how to lead the way in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and meet 50 – 30 Challenge targets with actionable insights, meaningful connections, and innovative strategies at this full-day forum.
Sustainability as a Sales Tool
Date: January 30, 2025, from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM GMT
Location: Online
Description: This workshop explores how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can positively impact the planet while also attracting and retaining customers.
Canadian Purpose Economy Project: Purpose Fireside Chat with David Redfern
Date: January 30, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST
Location: Quinn + Partners, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Hear from David Redfern, CEO of Lafarge Eastern Canada and Co-author of A Call to Purpose, and Allyson Hewitt, CPEP Purpose Champion, as they explore topics like purpose in business and championing positive change.
Date: January 31, 2025, from 1:00 AM – 2:30 PM PST
Location: UBC Sauder School of Business, Vancouver, British Columbia & Online
Description: Hear key insights from Sonia Kang, Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, about how language influences feelings of sincerity and belonging in organizations.
February
Diversity in Sustainability’s Winter 2025 Toronto Meetup
Date: February 5, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Celebrate Black History Month with a visit to “The Culture: Hip Hop & Contemporary Art in the 21st Century” exhibition, followed by dinner and drinks near Kensington Market—a perfect mix of art, culture, and community connection!
UN Global Compact Network Canada Information Session
Date: February 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM PST
Location: Online
Description: Join this session to learn how to become part of the UN Global Compact and explore its initiatives, programs, and events.
Date: February 10 – 12, 2025
Location: JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Phoenix, Arizona
Description: Connect with other sustainable business leaders, gain essential skills to overcome challenges, explore the latest in decarbonization, strategic communications, supply chains, and more, at this annual event.
Prairie Bioeconomy Guild: Natural Products Canada
Date: February 12, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM MST
Location: Brewsters Unity Square, Edmonton, Alberta
Description: Exploring the topic, “Supporting The Demand For Cleaner, Greener, Healthier Solutions,” early-stage Canadian founders can gain access to advice, capital, and connections they need to meet their full commercial potential.
Advancing Equity and Inclusion in the Financial Sector Workshop
Date: February 18, 2025, at 8:00 AM PST
Location: Online
Description: In partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), UN Global Compact Network Canada hosts this online session to help organizations navigate and overcome common DEI challenges, specifically in the financial sector.
Purpose Connections: Capital & Purpose
Date: February 20, 2025, from9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PST
Location: Online
Description: This free session, organized by Sparx Publishing Group and Tessa Vanderkop (Purpose Advisor, Trainer, and Community Builder), will explore the theme Capital & Purpose with experts Christelle François (Equity Economic Development Group), Joanne Norris (Consultant), and Adam Spence (Social Venture Connexion).
4WARD Global Climate & Sustainability Networking Meetups Vancouver
Date: February 21, 2025, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
Location: Starbucks – 658 Homer Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: At this monthly meetup, connect with 4WARD founders and climate professionals to discuss innovative solutions in the fight against climate change.
Green Integrity: Building Trust and Transparency in Sustainability
Date: February 25, 2025, from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM EST
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Description: Hosted and sponsored by NAV Canada, this breakfast meetup provides an opportunity for the Canadian participants of the UN Global Compact to connect and discuss topics in sustainability governance.
Date: February 26, 2025, from 9:00 AM– 5:00 PM PST
Location: San Diego County Operations Center, San Diego, California
Description: Following the theme, “Back to the Future of Zero Waste: Lessons from Our Past Informing Our Path Forward,” learn the latest from industry innovators, attend expert panels, and exhibit sustainable products and services.
BLACK 2025: Bringing Legacy, Advocacy & Cultural Knowledge
Date: February 28 – March 1, 2025
Location: University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Description: Organized by New African Canadians (NAC), this summit honours Black History Month and the International Decade for People of African Descent in Canada, and celebrates the rich history, contributions, and future aspirations of Black Canadians.
March
BC Climate Resilience Summit 2025
Date: March 3 – 4, 2025
Location: UBC Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: This inaugural event provides a space for diverse stakeholders to explore topics in climate risk management, low carbon resilience, and disaster risk reduction.
Building Your Social Purpose Business – Session 4: Bringing Social Purpose to the Heart of Your Business
Date: March 4, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 9:15 PM PST
Location: Online
Description: Session 4 of this complimentary five-session educational series is presented by the BC Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Canadian Purpose Economy Project (CPEP), and supported by Coast Capital. Register now to learn how purpose can become a driver for employee engagement and innovation.
Date: March 5 – 6, 2025
Location: QEII Centre, London, UK
Description: Exploring the theme “The Route To A Carbon Neutral World,” this conference provides executives with a platform to share insights, engage in discussions, and explore strategies to drive sustainability and achieve net zero targets.
Date: March 5 – 6, 2025
Location: Pullman Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia
Description: This summit will equip leaders with the tools they need to gain a competitive advantage and provide actionable insights to navigate critical climate and environmental challenges.
RCA Presents: Explore Circularity Day 2025
Date: March 10, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST
Location: NAIT, Edmonton, Alberta
Description: Should there be a place for waste-to-energy in the circular economy? This full-day event will tackle this, along with other compelling topics. Enjoy an engaging discussion that will help you explore your own stance and inform your decisions moving forward.
Date: March 11, 2025
Location: NAIT, Edmonton, Alberta
Description: During this one-day event, discuss advancements and collaborative efforts in plastics circularity with stakeholders from various sectors including government, academia, and industry.
JEDDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization, and Inclusion) Seminar: Antiracist by Design
Date: March 14, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Location: UBC Sauder School of Business, Vancouver, British Columbia & Online
Description: Hear from Crystal C. Hall, Associate Professor at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington, to learn how to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
4WARD Global Climate & Sustainability Networking Meetups Vancouver
Date: March 21, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
Location: Starbucks – 658 Homer Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: At this monthly meetup, connect with 4WARD founders and climate professionals to discuss innovative solutions in the fight against climate change.
Sustainability Conference 2025
Date: March 23 – 25, 2025
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: This conference provides an opportunity for attendees to connect with industry peers, innovators, and changemakers working toward impactful climate and sustainability solutions.
Date: March 26 – 27, 2025
Location: Washington Hilton, Washington, DC
Description: Ready to ask the hard questions to chart out a better future? This conference explores ideas and uncovers opportunities to help all Americans build wealth and live well.
Carbon Literacy Training For Professionals
Date: March 27, 2025
Location: Online
Description: Aimed at the professional services industries, this course will put you one step closer to becoming “carbon literate” and introduces the basics of climate science so you feel empowered to take action.
JEDDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization, and Inclusion) Seminar: Stigma at Work
Date: March 28, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PST
Location: Online
Description: Hear from Brent Lyons, Associate Professor and York Research Chair in Stigmatization & Social Identity at York University, about the impact of stigma in the workplace.
Date: March 30 – April 2, 2025
Location: Anne Kolb Nature Center, Hollywood, Florida
Description: Hosted by Race to Zero Waste, in partnership with Broward Clean Air, Debris Free Oceans, and Zero Waste USA, this event explores the topic of “Protecting People, Wetlands, and The Economy.”
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