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20+ Purpose-Driven Events to Attend in October – December, 2023

Uncover unique perspectives, connect and collaborate with values-aligned professionals, and further your impact at purpose-driven events happening this fall. Read on for our list of networking and learning opportunities taking place over October, November, and December.

/ 5 mins / SparxTeam

Looking to find new ways to embrace the circular economy, support Indigenous communities, advocate for mental health, and more? Sparx has compiled a list of purpose-driven events happening this fall, both online and in-person, within Canada and globally, so you can deepen your education, uncover unique perspectives, connect and collaborate with values-aligned professionals, explore innovative strategies, and further your impact. 

Keep scrolling to learn all about purpose-driven conferences and events taking place this October, November, and December. 

October 

Retail Sustainability Conference

Date: October 3

Location: The International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga, Ontario

Description: Hosted by Retail Council Canada, this full-day event seeks to unite and empower retailers and value chain partners by sharing best practices and sector-specific strategies that will help them advance ESG solutions, build resiliency, and increase sustainability.

BC Social Enterprise Summit

Date: October 12

Location: Simon Fraser University (SFU) Harbour Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: Supported by the Department of Community Economic Development Programs at SFU, this event will dive deeper into subjects identified at last year’s event, including financing and sustainability, procurement and market opportunities, and more. 

Untapped Workplace Inclusion Awards 2023 – 10th Anniversary Celebration

Date: October 13, from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM PDT

Location: PARQ Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: Celebrate BC’s most diverse and inclusive workplaces at this half-day conference, featuring speakers, panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, culminating with the awards luncheon at noon.

Ocean Global Canada Summit 2023

Date: October 16–19

Location: The Algonquin Resort, St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

Description: Convened by the Ocean Global Canada Lab, this event brings together global leaders and experts at the forefront of the sustainable blue economy to discuss best practices around environmentally responsible, commercially profitable, and socially acceptable outcomes in the ocean economy.

Responsible Investor Canada 2023

Date: October 17–18

Location: Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, Ontario

Description: Join leading banks, pension funds, insurers, and financial regulators to explore what strides are being taken by Canadian institutions on a range of emerging ESG innovations, investment opportunities, and best-in-class strategies.

CCAB Indigenous Women in Leadership (IWIL) Business Forum

Date: October 18

Location: The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Description: This event will honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis business, political and nationally engaged women whose work has changed the lives of people in their communities and beyond. Enjoy an evening reception featuring entertainment, Indigenous food, networking, and more.

Sustainable Production Forum

Date: October 18

Location: The VIFF Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: This hybrid purpose-driven event unites sustainability-minded film and television professionals from around the world to collaborate toward accelerating sustainability in the motion picture industry.

2023 Recycling Council of Alberta Circular Economy Conference “There and Back Again: the Journey to Circularity”

Date: October 18–20

Location: The Fairmont Château Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Alberta

Description: At this Lord of the Rings-themed sustainability event, enjoy educational sessions, a keynote from Jenn Harper (Founder of Cheekbone Beauty), exhibits, lightning talks, workshops, environmental tours and nature walks, and more.

SOCAP23

Date: October 23–25

Location: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), San Francisco, California

Description: This event convenes the ecosystem of impact to strategize ways to drive urgent change for people and planet, as encompassed within the theme of “Facing Urgency: Impact at the Speed of Trust.”

CAMSC Supplier Knowledge Xchange

Date: October 25, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT

Location: Online

Description: More details to be released on CAMSC’s website.

Accommodating Mental Health in Remote Work

Date: October 26, from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT

Location: Online

Description: In this webinar, learn ways to support, prioritize and accommodate your mental health, and the mental health of your employees, while working from home.

November 

2023 Zero Waste Conference

Date: November 1–2

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre East, Vancouver, British Columbia

Description: The annual Zero Waste Conference is back with a jam-packed agenda to inspire a new generation of changemakers ready to shape the future of sustainability. This year’s theme is “Climate Action Through Circularity” and will include keynotes, engaging interactive workshops, and illuminating innovator spotlights. 

Scaling Up 2023 – The Future is Now – Canada’s BioEconomy Conference

Date: November 6–8

Location: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario

Description: Learn about the latest innovations and trends in bio-based industries and connect with experts and peers in the space at this conference, now in its eighth year.

Purpose Conference

Date: November 8–9

Location: Carriageworks, located on Gadigal Land in Sydney, Australia

Description: Join the responsible business revolution in Sydney, Australia this November with over 1,000 delegates driving cutting-edge impact innovation.

Uplift Women’s Business Summit

Date: November 14–15

Location: Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, British Columbia

Description: This two-day summit aims to empower women in business by providing valuable resources related to financial literacy, investment guidance, and more. Learn from top female leaders, connect with like-minded women, and gain tools to make a positive impact in your career, business, and life.

National Philanthropy Day 2023

Date: November 15, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM MST

Location: Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta

Description: To recognize National Philanthropy Day, this annual, non-competitive awards reception and celebration acknowledges and honours the achievements of individuals, foundations, corporations, fundraising volunteers, and nonprofit organizations who contribute their time, talents, financial support, and other resources to the community and beyond.

Indigenomics on BAY STREET

Date: November 21–23

Location: Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Ontario

Description: Hosted by the Indigenomics Institute, this event invites Indigenous Nations, economic development corporations, businesses, organizations, educational institutions, governments, and investment and pension firms to gather and activate the financial architecture of the $100 billion Indigenous economies, with a variety of sessions covering topics like Indigenous leadership spaces in ESGI and the Indigenous clean energy revolution. 

December 

Virtual Speed Networking for Purpose Driven Businesses

Date: December 4, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT

Location: Online

Description: Connect with like-minded business owners who care about their social and environmental impact and help your businesses grow and create positive systemic change during this hour-long session, where you’ll be placed in one-to-one breakout sessions to meet five new business contacts.

Technology and Indigenous Development Summit

Date: December 5–6

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Description: This first-of-its-kind gathering invites Canada’s innovative tech sector to meet Indigenous leadership from coast-to-coast with a goal to address the unique challenges that remote First Nations face and innovative solutions currently being developed to address them.

Surrey Guildford – Resilient Women In Business Networking

Date: December 7, from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM PST

Location: Ricky’s All Day Grill, Surrey, British Columbia

Description: Recurring on the first Thursday of every month, this networking event is all about supporting women with their business, regardless of level. After an educational session, attendees will participate in a group session to assist each other personally and professionally.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Date: December 8, from 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM EST

Location: Metro Hall, Toronto, Ontario

Description: In recognition of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, held between November 25 and December 10, this event combines networking, inspirational speeches, and interactive activities to support Immigrant Women In Business’s mission to unite women to be change agents in the world.

10C December Member Meet-Up

Date: December 14, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Location: 10C Shared Space, Guelph, Ontario

Description: At this monthly event hosted by 10C Shared Space (10C), a hub for community activators and changemakers in Guelph, members will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, expand their network, and learn new skills.

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