Looking to attend purpose-driven events this fall? Sparx has compiled a list of networking and learning opportunities taking place over October, November, and December.
The weather may be growing colder, but opportunities to make a positive difference certainly aren’t going into hibernation any time soon. Purpose-driven events are as abundant as fallen leaves this autumn, covering a wide range of causes, including amplifying Indigenous voices, accelerating the circular economy, protecting our oceans and waterways, fostering accessibility and inclusion, and more.
We’ve tracked down 35+ learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities taking place all autumn long, both online and in-person, in Canada and globally, so you can amplify good.
Keep scrolling to learn all about purpose-driven events happening this October, November, and December.
Date: October 8, 2024, from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EDT
Location: Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Québec
Description: Following the theme, “Walking Together: Amplifying Indigenous Stories in Public Media,” take part in interactive sessions, keynotes, and panel discussions at this full-day event that will showcase the transformative power of Indigenous voices in media.
Canada’s Corporate Compass: Navigating Emerging Social and Environmental Challenges
Date: October 9, 2024, from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
Location: TIFF Lightbox, Toronto, Ontario
Description: At this exclusive event, UN Global Compact Network Canada participants and invited guests will delve into the opportunities and risks of Just Transition, ethical supply chain practices, climate adaptation strategies, and the responsibilities and challenges Canadian businesses face in response to these emerging issues.
TELUS CSW Double Scoop! – AI: Accelerating Social Impact?
Date: October 9, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM MDT
Location: AMII (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), Edmonton, Alberta
Description: Join this community event to connect with members of the social impact, local tech, and innovation communities and learn how AI is shaping impact.
Financing the Future: Conversations on Blended Finance
Date: October 10, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT
Location: Online
Description: Learn about blended finance initiatives as a solution for achieving greater impact in Canada at this session organized by Spring, Thrive Impact Fund, and Partnership Investment Program of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Toronto Shelter Network Conference 2024: Innovative Partnerships & Projects
Date: October 10, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
Location: Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, Ontario
Description: At this conference, discover unique and impactful partnerships and the power of collaborating across sectors to create solutions that address homelessness.
United Nations Global Compact: Join the Largest Corporate Sustainability Initiative in the World
Date: October 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM PDT
Location: Online
Description: This webinar will provide you with an overview of the UN Global Compact and how it can help accelerate your organization’s sustainability journey.
The Coast Waste Management Association’s 2024 Annual Conference
Date: October 23 – 25, 2024
Location: Online & In-Person, Victoria, British Columbia
Description: Exploring the theme, “The Power of Collaboration,” this conference will bring the waste management community together to build connections, share knowledge, and inspire sustainable solutions.
Date: October 23 – 25, 2024
Location: Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: Join this forum to learn about multisolving as a strategic approach to achieving climate action and look at building net-zero, resilient, and equitable communities through a multisolving lens.
B Corp Certification Readiness – Preparing for Your B Corp Journey
Date: October 24, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
Location: Online
Description: Interested in becoming a certified B Corporation? This webinar will help you understand the path to certification, including requirements, barriers, timeline, and process, and determine if you’re submission-ready.
Date: October 24 – 25, 2024
Location: InterContinental Cali, Cali, Colombia
Description: Hosted by Trellis, Bloom 24 examines the theme, “Accelerating Business Action at COP 16,” and will connect attendees with sessions exploring how companies can halt and reverse nature loss within their operations and supply chains.
Date: October 28 – 30, 2024
Location: YBCA, San Francisco, California, United States
Description: This conference will convene members of the impact ecosystem from around the world and changemakers from every sector for three days of plenary presentations and panels, facilitated networking, and open dialogue.
Date: October 29 – 31, 2024
Location: San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, California, United States
Description: Connect with visionaries, experts, and innovators working toward a just and regenerative future at this event focused on deploying climate tech at scale, decarbonizing operations, and integrating climate solutions.
Date: October 30, 2024
Location: Delta St. John’s, St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Description: Discover the latest developments in clean energy, green innovation, ongoing environmental challenges, and the pursuit of net-zero in Newfoundland and Labrador at this green economy event.
Raincoast Ocean Science Awards 2024
Date: October 30, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
Location: The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: Celebrate achievements made by individuals and groups to protect marine habitats through science, Indigenous knowledge systems, and public engagement, and take part in meaningful conversations about ocean conservation at this awards ceremony.
Understanding Our Narratives Through an Anti-Racist Lens
Date: October 30, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Location: College of Education (RM 1024), 28 Campus Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Description: At this session for students, learn about the impact of language, how personal biases and misunderstandings impact the school community, and how to make a positive difference.
Date: October 3, 2024, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM PDT
Location: 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
Description: This Women in Sustainable Energy networking event offers a space for women to connect and learn about women’s roles in sustainable energy and share career paths and industry insights.
RCA’s 2024 Circular Economy Conference: Beyond the Grave, A Circular All Hallow’s Eve
Date: October 30 – November 1, 2024
Location: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta
Description: Enjoy workshops, inspiring tours, plenary sessions and keynotes, networking receptions, a selection of concurrent sessions, and more at the Recycling Council of Alberta’s 2024 Circular Economy Conference, “Beyond the Grave – A Circular All Hallows’ Eve.”
Date: November 2, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM PDT
Location: New Westminster Public Library (Main Branch), New Westminster, British Columbia
Description: Hosted by RegenerateBC, this interactive workshop series will empower participants to support, identify, and initiate climate solutions at the household, community, and policy levels. More information is coming soon.
2024 Sustainable Ocean Conference
Date: November 7 – 8, 2024
Location: Dalhousie Student Union Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Description: Organized by the Master of Marine Management Students of the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University, this student-led conference will bring together a diverse audience to explore the world’s most challenging ocean issues and spark change.
Date: November 8, 2024
Location: etc.venues County Hall, London, United Kingdom
Description: This social impact event, hosted by Benevity, will unite purpose-driven professionals in the UK for a day of networking and learning, providing insights into best practices for developing corporate volunteering, giving, and sustainability programs.
UN Climate Change Conference Baku (COP29)
Date: November 11 – 22, 2024
Location: Baku Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Description: At COP29, countries from around the world will convene to present updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, discuss the financial needs required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance action within the climate movement.
Convening 2024: Toward Just and Affordable Food Systems
Date: November 11 – 13, 2024
Location: Rialto Theatre, Montréal, Québec
Description: Engage in coast-to-coast-to-coast conversation about Canadian food justice and affordability and explore holistic ways to make progress on critical food systems challenges at this event.
Understanding Social Impact Measurement
Date: November 12 & 26, 2024
Location: Online
Description: Take part in this interactive two-day course to learn how to use impact measurement tools effectively, determine what to measure to best demonstrate impact, and uncover creative ways to articulate impact.
Impact & Transition Investor Summit
Date: November 12 – 13, 2024
Location: The Westin Times Square, New York, New York
Description: The North American edition of this private market conference will offer attendees two days of insight-sharing, networking, and collaboration focused on investable solutions in the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable world, along with challenges, strategies, and approaches to impact investing.
Jody Wilson-Raybould on ‘Reconciling History: A Story of Canada’
Date: November 13, 2024, from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
Location: Rotman School of Management, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Gain insights from the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould at the book launch for Reconciling History: A Story of Canada, and explore the history of this land we call Canada as told through the voices of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.
Date: November 14, 2024, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Location: The Cotton Factory, Hamilton, Ontario
Description: Join organizations and individuals committed to decarbonization via the adoption of green technology in energy, buildings, and manufacturing; connect with solution seekers and providers; and gain the skills, knowledge, and experience to accelerate the green transition.
Date: November 14, 2024
Location: New York Law School, New York, New York
Description: Attend this summit to uncover tools and insights necessary for nurturing partnerships and collaborative efforts in sustainability and corporate citizenship, and dive into a wide range of critical ESG-related topics.
Date: November 18 – 22, 2024
Location: UNESCO, Paris, France
Description: Presented by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (“Ocean Decade”), this symposium will bring together members of the international operational oceanography community for science sessions, discussions, and exhibitions centred around the theme, “advancing ocean prediction science for societal benefit.”
2024 National Gathering for Indigenous Education
Date: November 20 – 22, 2024
Location: Online & In-Person, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Description: This hybrid event will gather hundreds of educators from across the country to share insights and collaborate to improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous students.
Date: TBA
Location: Online
Description: Help inspire a cultural shift toward a purpose-led economy alongside a cross-industry community of social purpose champions at this annual celebration.
Date: November 25 – 27, 2024
Location: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario
Description: Enjoy a deep dive into sustainable bioeconomy solutions to reduce carbon emissions, discover the latest innovations and trends in bio-based industries, and connect with experts and peers at this bioeconomy business conference.
FMB RoadMap Roadshow Workshop – Edmonton
Date: November 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM MST
Location: Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
Description: Attend this RoadMap workshop to participate in this First Nations–led initiative, which aims to support Nations in achieving their economic and self-government goals.
Rethinking Disabilities Toronto 2024
Date: November 28, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Location: OneEleven, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Focused around the theme, “The Untapped Talent Pool: Unlocking the Power of a Disability-Inclusive Workplace,” this conference will help attendees learn how they can boost diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace for people with disabilities.
The Sustainable Finance Forum 2024
Date: November 28 – 29, 2024
Location: Shaw Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Description: Advance the powerful role finance can play in growing a sustainable and inclusive economy, explore how financial markets can drive significant socio-economic and environmental progress, and collaborate on industry standards and government policies to accelerate change at this purpose-driven event.
Third Annual International Summit on Ending Gender-Based Violence 2024
Date: November 29 – December 1, 2024
Location: Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Hear the voices of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, discover strategies and programs that make a difference, and explore factors that have led to increased GBV globally.
CCDI Webinar: Removing Barriers to Accessibility and Inclusion – Panel
Date: December 3, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Online
Description: Attend this webinar, presented by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), to develop an understanding of diverse disability issues, learn how to challenge and dispel ableist myths and stereotypes, and discover tools for improving disability justice and accessibility in Canadian workplaces.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Date: December 3, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Location: St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture, Ajax, Ontario
Description: Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities through a special film screening, a panel discussion, and the inspiring stories of people with disabilities.
Date: December 6, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM AST
Location: Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown, Moncton, New Brunswick
Description: Co-create innovation solutions to help support small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in New Brunswick on their green transition journey at this summit.
Global Summit on Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Refugee Crises
Date: December 13 – 14, 2024
Location: Toronto PWA Foundation, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Centred around the theme, “Empowering Survivors, Building Resilient Communities,” this summit on ending sexual and gender-based violence (SBGV) in refugee and humanitarian crises, led by grassroots women and refugee-led organizations, will bring together survivors, experts, advocates, stakeholders, and policymakers to foster a collaborative and inclusive approach to ending SGBV and help create a safer and more equitable future for all.
Mental Health Training Workshops in Canada
Date: December 27, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Location: 137 Berkeley Street, Toronto, Ontario
Description: Obtain insights; deepen your knowledge of key topics surrounding mental health, addiction, trauma and crisis intervention, family dynamics, and recovery and prevention; and learn valuable approaches at this workshop.
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