As consumer awareness of sustainability and climate impact continues to drive industry shifts in ethical ingredient sourcing and product formulation practices, this year’s Expo West will spotlight Climate Day on March 3, complemented by additional topical programming throughout the conference.
The day will open with a welcome keynote from Dr. Samuel Ramsey, entomologist, founder and director of the Ramsey Research Foundation. The talk, “What Pollinators Reveal at the Intersection of Nature & Climate,” will focus on the key role that pollinators such as bees and butterflies, as well as birds, play in living systems. Dr. Ramsey will examine how pollinators can act as a “canary in the coalmine” to indicate ecosystem health, and what this means for agricultural vitality and climate resilience (8 to 8:30 a.m., Marriott, Grand Ballroom).
In addition to longer planned education programming sessions like “Unlocking a Constellation of Regeneration - Innovative Partnerships Enabling Regenerative Transition“ and ”Centering Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in Climate Action Strategy“, Climate Day will feature a Lighting Round session covering “Critical Updates & Innovations Shaping Climate Action.”
The Lightning Round is designed to introduce seven speakers, each with a five-minute presentation, to provide brief, high-level updates on a broad range of climate-focused trends, opportunities and more. Speakers include: Sherry Frey, vice president of total wellness at NielsenIQ, Beatriz Diam, sustainability specialist at Tradin Organic, Omar de Kok-Mercado, director of wilding at Mad Agriculture, and Matthew Dillon, co-CEO at the Organic Trade Association. (9:55 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., Marriott, Grand Ballroom).
There are two workshops scheduled during Expo West’s Climate Day event. The first, “Navigating Climate Risk with Open-Source Tools” from 2:15 to and 3:00 p.m. (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 3), is an interactive session designed to prepare attendees for a preliminary physical climate risk assessment. Stressing the importance of educating participants in evaluating areas of improvement throughout a business’s infrastructure, including operations, finance and supply chain management, the workshop uses Probable Futures’ open-source mapping tool first as a demonstration and then in application, followed by small group discussion.
The second workshop, “Developing a Corporate Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP)” takes place from 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.·(Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 3). This educational session addresses common issues in implementing climate initiatives company-wide, providing the information, tools, and support needed to scale sustainability planning effectively.
In addition to educational programming, Climate Day features the Resource Fair & Reception, a gathering of industry leaders across the sustainability space to network and share initiatives, ideas and innovations. The Fair will conclude with a hosted cocktail reception, providing an opportunity to meet with 15 companies, including Climate Collaborative, A Growing Culture, GreenWave, and 4Ocean. (5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 6).
The Climate Leaders Awards Luncheon, taking place between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. in the Marriott, Grand Ballroom, honors standout companies that are leading the charge in net-zero climate solutions. This year’s Awards will recognize six companies across the following categories: Regenerative Agriculture Leadership, Forest Action Leadership, Super Pollutants (SLCP) Leadership, Climate-aligned Product Innovation Leadership, Climate Communications Leadership Award and the Collective Action Leadership Award.
Following the comprehensive events and educational programming of Climate Day, Expo West will feature some additional sessions with a sustainability focus. These sessions include “Sustainable Packaging Policy: Updates & Insights for Brands” (March 4, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Marriott, Grand Ballroom E) and “What Belongs on Pack: Communicating Sustainability Impact to Consumers” (March 6, 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., Marriott, Grand Ballroom F).
Access to the education session and lighting round event is included with Exhibit Hall Pass. Separate registration is required for the Climate Leaders Awards Luncheon.
