Shifting Customer Demand and Behavior
In-Person March Member Meeting
December 12th, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
In-Person Registration
5 Manhattan West, New York City NY 10001
Meeting Overview
Each December, the Sustainable Brands Member Network gathers for a full day of interactive learning and community-led insights on the intersectionality of Marketing and Sustainability. Engaging customers in sustainability efforts enables us to increase the reach and impact of these programs, while simultaneously driving demand. This December, we’ll explore how we can collectively shift cultural norms and inspire customers to demand, and adopt, more sustainable behaviors.
Join us as we showcase how corporate-driven sustainability efforts can shift consumer culture, driving demand for transparency and ethical practices.
Highlights Include:
Brand-inspired initiatives that aim to enhance business performance and also contribute to systemic change within society
Driving demand for more sustainable products and services, leading behavior change towards sustainable lifestyles
Collaborating with other solution-oriented organizations to bring innovative and emerging options to larger communities at scale
On December 12th take part in an engaging discussion on how the collective actions of brands can pave the way for a sustainable future, ultimately transforming the relationship between businesses and consumers for the betterment of our planet. This gathering is part of our Member Meeting series, intended to create a safe and productive space for discussion, raise shared obstacles and insights, and enable the co-creation of solutions that drive progress for all.
Ahead of the meeting, enjoy a cocktail reception and curated dinner alongside inspiring SB corporate and business Members.
This SB Member-exclusive gathering is part of our Member Meeting series, intended to create a safe and productive space for discussion, raise shared obstacles and insights, and enable co-creation of solutions that drive progress for all.
Agenda
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024
5:00 - 6:30 pm Member Cocktail Reception (details below)
6:30 - 9:00 pm Member Network Sit-down Dinner (details below)
Thursday, December 12th, 2024
7:30-8:15 am: Member Networking Breakfast
Start your day with fresh introductions, meaningful re-connections, and inspiration for sustainable conversation throughout the meeting!
8:15 am: Welcome & Opening Session: Transforming Value Chain Behaviors for Sustainability
Kick off the SB Member Meeting with CEO and interim VP Mike Dupee as he welcomes executive leaders from Amazon, the host of our December 2025 gathering. This session sets the stage for the day by exploring how shifting value chain behaviors can drive greater demand for sustainable and regenerative products, services, and operations across industries. You'll also get a preview of the day's agenda and objectives, followed by a lively icebreaker to connect with fellow SB Members.
9:00 am: Executive Open Discussion
This session will explore how brands adapt their business models and operational frameworks to thrive in the evolving sustainability landscape. Moderated by expert and Chairman of co:collective, Ty Montague, hear from James Reeves, Director of Sustainability Strategy for Honda, and Kristina Friedman, Head of Sustainability for Unilever North America as they share insights on how they are reassessing, reimagining, and restructuring their organizations to meet their integrated sustainability commitments and goals.
10:00 am: Purposeful Break
10:30 am: Leveraging Consumer Insights into Innovation and Design Workshop
In this dynamic 90-minute workshop, Dentsu Goods' Global Head of Consulting Tara Moss and Sustainability Strategist Victoria Kindred Keziah will explore how consumer insights can drive innovation and sustainable design. The session begins with a marketing insights presentation, offering data-driven perspectives on how consumers organize around coping strategies and primary needs during crises. Following this, participants will engage in breakout discussions and hands-on application activities designed to explore the nuanced decision-making processes of consumers under pressure. Using creative tools like role-playing, product analysis, and collaborative brainstorming, attendees will identify opportunities to innovate and market sustainable solutions that address these needs while inspiring broader behavioral shifts.
Noon: Member Lunch
1:00 pm: Decarbonizing Retail Operations & Communications for Sustainable Impact
Discover communication strategies to combat wasteful practices while advancing corporate ESG goals and fostering sustainable habits among consumers.
Hear from Janeva Morfaw, moderator and Sustainability Selection Lead at Amazon, Jennifer Owens, ESG & Marketing Executive at CEEZER, and Meredith Gray, Executive Director of Global Consumer Engagement at Estée Lauder as they examine the environmental challenges embedded in retail operations, from transportation and logistics to consumer behaviors like on-demand delivery and returns. This session will identify actionable opportunities to decarbonize supply chains, optimize processes, and align with consumer interest in sustainable alternatives. Learn how brands can encourage smarter choices—such as group shipping, improved return practices, local partnerships, and smart tracking technologies—to support more mindful consumption.
1:45 pm: Table Discussion: Rethinking Holiday Returns—From Landfills to Circular Solutions
Each holiday season, billions of dollars’ worth of returned products—many unused—end up in landfills, contributing to a significant environmental crisis. This session explores innovative strategies for retailers and consumers to rethink returns, turning them from a costly inevitability into opportunities for sustainable transformation. Discover ways to close the loop by increasing consumer awareness of the impact of returns and implementing circular solutions that minimize waste and maximize value. Together, let’s rewrite the story of holiday returns for a more sustainable future.
2:30 pm: Enabling Sustainable Living Through Certifiable Choices
Discover how CPG products, smart technologies, and efficient appliances can empower environmentally conscious living. Gain insights into successful strategies for driving adoption and inspiring deeper brand innovation to promote sustainable choices in everyday life:
- Mollie Hughes, CEO & Co-FounderSoftly Solutions
- Emma Cox, EVP, Commercial, ClimeCo
3:15 pm: Purposeful Break
3:45 pm: Driving Behavioral Transformation through Sustainable Transportation
Join Dr. Sheena Mirpuri, Principal Advisor, and Anna Keleher, Behavioral Scientist, from the Behavioral Insights Team,for an engaging presentation and case study on behavior change in transportation, designed for marketers, R&D, and procurement professionals. Through a hands-on and interactive format, this session will present new insights from BIT's partnership with global rideshare leader, Uber, on sustainable transportation
and its impact on consumer and business decisions. Attendees will explore actionable strategies to influence choices, reduce environmental impact, and encourage sustainable practices.
4:30 pm: Executive Reflection & Closure
4:45 pm: End of Program
Who should attend
Sustainable Brands curates Member-exclusive experiences for our network to help guide their journeys toward becoming truly sustainable brands. This meeting is available to the SB Member community networks only.
We encourage brand leaders across innovation, growth, brand voice and values, internal engagement and transformation, as well as consumer communications and marketing to join this interdisciplinary dialogue.
*All SB member meetings operate under the Chatham House Rule.
Bring A Guest
Do you have a colleague at another company who would make a great addition to the SB Member Network? If so, we welcome you to bring them as a guest to this Member meeting. There are limited guest seats available so please contact us today to learn more about how to extend this exciting offer. Contact us at engage@sustainablebrands.com for details.
Member-Exclusive In-person Member Gathering:
Wednesday,12/11
Join dozens of fellow SB Member Brands and Solution Providers for exclusive in-person evening events:
- 5:30 pm: A pre-dinner Cocktail Hour with VP of Sustainability at Estee Lauder, Al Iannuzzi: 767 5th Avenue 19th FL
- 6:30 pm: A pre-meeting SB Member Dinner The Bar Room: 117 E. 60th St
Travel details
Hotel - 6 Columbus Hotel
308 W. 58th St., New York City, NY 10019
Registration details:
Registration will close on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
If you would like to register beyond that date, please reach out to your account director for availability.