The Realized Worth 2018 CSR Conference Guide

It’s back! Every January we share a guide of the year’s upcoming CSR and employee volunteering conferences – with a few relevant employee engagement and sustainability events included, too. Based on what we’ve seen, it looks like we’re going into this year with even more of a global focus, and a more visible push to strengthen multi-sector partnerships in the name of social good. Big things are in store for 2018!

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NORTH AMERICAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS SUMMIT // Mexico City, MX

Feb. 5 – 6, 2018

Over two days, this conference brings together community foundation leaders from the US, Mexico and Canada to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for building more resilient and sustainable communities across North America. Discussions centre around innovative approaches to shared challenges like poverty, inequality, immigration, economic development, climate change and more.

BENEVITY: GOODNESS MATTERS // Palm Springs, CA

Feb. 6 – 8, 2018

Get insight into the evolving role of corporations as catalysts for positive change and prosocial behavior in elevating both employee experience and business outcomes. #GM2018 also offers practical takeaways aimed at increasing corporate goodness programs, as well as networking and peer learning opportunities. Realized Worth’s very own Chris Jarvis will join CEO Bryan de Lotinville in an opening night discussion!

GREENBIZ18 // Phoenix, AZ

Feb. 6 – Feb. 8, 2018

GreenBiz 18 looks at pressing challenges, emerging trends and big opportunities in sustainable business today. “GreenBiz offers forward-looking big picture ideas mixed with practical things you can take back to the office. It’s a fantastic combination of content and a unique group of people that I don’t see at other events.”

GLOBAL PRO BONO SUMMIT // Mumbai, IN

Feb 6 – 9, 2018

The Global Pro Bono Summit is the annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and professions with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to organizations serving the collective good.

NATIONAL HUMAN SERVICES ASSEMBLY: VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT PEER COUNCIL // Washington, DC

Feb. 21, 2018

Verified Volunteers presents on the current state of volunteering for nonprofits in our country. Our illustrious CEO Angela Parker joins this event to present on, “Neuroscience and Transformative Volunteering: How Civic Engagement Changes our Brains.”

CECP BOARD OF BOARDS // New York, NY

Feb. 26, 2018

CECP’s Board of Boards is a three hour, closed-door networking discussion for CEOs. The event provides the opportunity for peers to discuss the business imperative for infusing stakeholder needs into core business strategy. Remarks from CEO Force for Good honorees inform board meeting-style conversations. There will be a CEO Investor Forum featuring strategic investor presentations in the afternoon.

SUSTAINABLE BRANDS EVENTS //

March 1-2, 2018 | Tokyo, Japan

April 18-19, 2018 | Istanbul, Turkey

May 6-8, 2018 | Madrid, Spain

June 4-7, 2018 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Sustainable Brands? events connects professionals from different perspectives and disciplines in an optimistic, collaborative environment and creates a shared vision of what is possible. Anyone headed to one of these gatherings this year? We’d love to see you there!

2018 TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING CONFERENCE // Oklahoma City, OK

March 8 – 9, 2018

Realized Worth’s obsession is the science behind transformative volunteering – how it changes our behaviors as it changes our brains. Each year, we learn more from researchers and academics in the transformative learning community as they explore all facets of how to create space for transformation. Join us at this event to further explore the theory behind the practice – and get a special look into measuring transformation in students.

SXSW – SOCIAL INNOVATION TRACK // Austin, TX

March 10 – 15, 2018

This track highlights innovative ideas from creative industries that are contributing to a better, more equitable world. This programming offers opportunities to those working on social impact to identify and share solutions: from activists, storytellers and entertainers to philanthropic nonprofits, foundations and social enterprise.

2018 INSTITUTE FOR CSR // Washington, DC

Mar. 15 – 16, May 10 – 11, July 26 – 27, Sept. 20 – 21

Over the course of four, two-day sessions (starting in March), participants learn from some of the field’s most innovative thinkers, authors, and practitioners, expand their professional networks learning alongside CSR peers from across the country, all while earning a Professional Certificate in CSR from Johns Hopkins University.

ACCP: THE CONFERENCE 2018 // Portland, OR

Mar. 18 – 21, 2018

The Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) is a membership organization open to for-profit companies or corporate funded foundations that have corporate responsibility or corporate citizenship programs.

THE 6TH ANNUAL RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS SUMMIT 2018 NEW YORK // New York, NY

Mar. 26 – 27, 2018

Responsible business professionals from North America’s leading brands come together to discuss the impending paradigm shift and transformational change to business, industry and society.

YourCause: CSR WORKS // Frisco, TX

Mar. 27 – 28, 2018

Join other YourCause clients and friends to spend two fun-filled days connecting, collaborating, and communicating how together we are going to make a bigger impact in our companies and in the world. Our friends at YC have launched some exciting new initiatives this year – this is going to be a great event!

BCCCC INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP CONFERENCE // Los Angeles, CA

Apr. 8 – 10, 2018

At the 2018 International Corporate Citizenship Conference, the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship explores how strong corporate social responsibility programs can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future while delivering strong returns now. If you’re looking for the best place to connect and network with “who’s who” in the field – this is it!

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS // Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

April 15 – 17, 2018

An interactive career and professional development with the platform, “Grow your Business and Advance your Career.” This year’s theme is STRETCH: Rethink What You Need to Succeed and Do More With What You Already Have. Our CEO Angela Parker will also be presenting on “Neuroscience and Transformative Volunteering: How Civic Engagement Changes our Brains.”

2018 CERES CONFERENCE // Boston, MA

Apr. 24 – 26, 2018

Ceres Conference 2017 in San Francisco brought together more more than 600 investor and company leaders and advocates who are catalyzing the biggest breakthroughs on sustainability.

2018 SHARED VALUE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT // Conrad, NY

Apr. 30 – May 2, 2018

At the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit we’re diving deep into the world’s greatest opportunities—access to medicine, clean energy, smart technologies and workforce opportunities—with the women and men who are taking shared value strategy from the board room to shared value reality on the ground.

ENGAGE BUSINESS MEDIA 2018 EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT // London, UK

May 4, 2018

2017 saw an opening keynote on the very purpose of work from former Employment Relations minister Jo Swinson, packed focus group sessions, and more than 20 case study presentations from organizations as diverse as Harrods, Thomson Reuters, Heathrow Airport, the NHS, Vodafone, LV= and the Civil Service – the Summit had something for everybody!

4TH ANNUAL CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY SUMMIT // Houston, TX

May 17, 2018

The Summit focuses on business efforts to promote corporate citizenship, bringing together companies, corporations, and organizations to share best practices on the Seven Pillars of Corporate Responsibility:

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Environmental Sustainability
• Governance
• Global Enrichment
• Organizational Health
• Philanthropy
• Supply Chain Integrity

ENGAGE FOR GOOD 2018 // Chicago, IL

May 23 – 24, 2018

Formerly the Cause Marketing Forum, Engage for Good (EFG) is back this year to provide valuable information for cause marketers all along the experience spectrum and in varying formats (keynote presentations, breakout sessions, small group discussions, etc.) to cater to people with different learning styles.

SOCIAL INNOVATION SUMMIT // Silicon Valley, CA

June 4 – 6, 2018

The Social Innovation Summit is an annual with a global convening of black swans and wayward thinkers who come together to not only talk about, but to build the next big thing. This event presents perspectives and ideas that we don’t typically see covered at other conferences – we recommend it if you’re looking to shake things up.

IMAGINE YOUR WORKPLACE CONFERENCE // Toronto, ON

June 7, 2018

Employee engagement and well-being are pivotal to a thriving workplace. This event addresses employee productivity by delivering and examining trendsetting information on leading, managing, culture and wellness.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: RESPECTING DIFFERENCES AND STANDING ON COMMON GROUND // New York, NY

Jun. 7 – 8, 2018

Greater inclusion is simply good business – but businesses have a broader responsibility to bring employees together, foster greater mutual understanding and create workplaces that allow everyone to contribute the best of themselves. This event enables this through a remarkable platform for leaders to actively participate in new trends, new ideas, and new innovations and think about how they can invoke change in their organizations around the world.

POINTS OF LIGHT: SERVICE UNITES // Atlanta, GA

June 18 – 20, 2018

Points of Light brings together thousands of people who really care about the future of volunteer service in one place to work together and get inspired by one another – and to figure out how we can increase the number of volunteers in the world and the impact of their work. This is a great event for nonprofits and for businesses who are new to the world of giving and volunteering.

CYBERGRANTS USER CONFERENCE: MAXIMIZING IMPACT IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD // New Orleans, LA

June 20 – 22, 2018

Join CyberGrants clients to learn more about CyberGrants and our software, review best practices from other clients, discuss hot topics within the CSR industry, and so much more! There will also be plenty of opportunities to network with the CyberGrants team, fellow clients, and industry peers.

MCON // Location TBA

June 21 – 22, 2018

MCON is for people who give a damn about social change and who are ready to take action. MCON gathers leaders, activists and social entrepreneurs from all generations and from all over the country to better understand today’s social movements and how to turn interest into action. For companies and causes, MCON investigates new ways to address company culture, increase transparency and innovate to celebrate diversity and compete in the growing landscape of corporate activism. MCON will inspire you and motivate you toward big ideas.

17th ANNUAL CHARITIES@WORK EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT // New York, NY

June 27 – 28, 2018

C@W is back this year to engage corporate responsibility professionals and industry experts to discuss the latest ideas on enhancing employee engagement and citizenship initiatives. Stay tuned for more details on this great event!

SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT // New York, NY

July 17 – 18, 2018

The Summit enables peer-to-peer exchange and engagement with leading sustainability practitioners and subject matter experts to work in a collaborative way through the major challenges that corporate sustainability professionals face.

6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT // Rome, Italy

Sept. 12 – 13, 2018

The conference theme is: “Creating a unified foundation for the Sustainable Development: research, practice and education.”

CGI ANNUAL MEETING // New York, NY

Sept. 19 – 21, 2018

The meeting gives CGI members the opportunity to assess the progress of ongoing commitments, develop new partnerships, and recognize the innovative action currently underway by CGI members across the world.

2018 CONCORDIA ANNUAL SUMMIT // New York, NY

Sept. 24 – 26, 2018

The Concordia Annual Summit convenes business, government, and nonprofit leaders to foster dialogue and enable effective partnerships for positive social impact. This global affairs forum takes place in New York City and examines the world’s most pressing challenges to identify avenues for collaboration. The RW Institute is excited to partner with Concordia this year to present some big ideas! We’ll see you there!

BBCON // Orlando, FL

Oct 9 – 11, 2018

Blackbaud brings together fundraisers, marketers, administrators, executives, and industry thought leaders from across the social good community work together to push their practice, get inspired by today’s trends and tomorrow’s tech innovations, and to become part of a global community.

25TH IAVE WORLD VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE // Augsburg, DE

Oct. 16 – 20, 2018

IAVE creates opportunities for leaders of volunteering from throughout the world to share with, learn from and support on another. In 2018, IAVE convenes for its 25th IAVE World Volunteer Conference in Augsburg, Germany, hosted by Volunteer Center Augsburg.

COMMIT!FORUM // Oxon Hill, MD

Oct 23 – 25

COMMIT!Forum features two days of speakers, panelists, conversations and interviews. The agenda brings the following themes to the fore:

• Corporate Responsibility No Longer Optional: ‘Best in Class’ Innovation and Business Practices
• Leadership Requirements: The Corporate Vision, Voice and Influence
• Tilting on the Fulcrum: Balancing Short Termism with the Long View
• Corporate Responsibility Brand vs. Corporate Brand
• From Measurement to Meaning: The Timestamp of Corporate Responsibility Outcomes
• Emerging Issues & Emerging Voices

NET IMPACT // Phoenix, AZ

Oct. 25 – 27, 2018

Net Impact is mobilizing a new generation of leaders to use their careers to drive transformational change in the workplace and the world. This year’s conference addresses trends and challenges head on as we move toward creative and innovative solutions.

BSR CONFERENCE 2018 // New York, NY

Nov. 6 – 8, 2018

The BSR Conference 2018 gathers leaders from business, civil society, and the public sector to explore bold sustainability leadership and big thinking.

2018 International Transformative Learning Conference: "Transformation in Action: The Power of Community" // New York City, New York

Nov 7- 10, 2018

As much of Realized Worth’s work draws from the theory of transformative learning (TL), we do our best to learn from the Transformative Learning Community. In the spirit of developing this community, the conference will break down barriers and bring together academics, practitioners, researchers, students and more. Conference sessions will provide deep dives into topics such as living theory dialogues, neuroscience and TL, international perspectives on TL, and the intersection of art and TL. Reach out to Realized Worth to learn more about the application of TL to CSR!

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Details for the following conferences will be available soon, so keep an eye out for updates on their sites (see below) – don’t miss out on these stellar events!

• US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Pyxera Global 
• The CauseCast +IMPACT conference
• Companies and Causes Canada
• Impact 2030 Global Summit

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If you notice CSR or employee volunteering events we missed, or if you’re privy to updated details, please email us at [email protected] and be sure to include the date, location, and link. Please note that the descriptions are summarized from the corresponding event’s website and do not necessarily reflect RW’s views.