CONVENE 4 CLIMATE CLOSES THIRD EDITION IN LISBON, LAUNCHING INAUGURAL GLOBAL AWARDS AND FIRST DIGITAL RESOURCE LIBRARY FOR BUSINESS EVENTS

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Convene 4 Climate (C4C), the global sustainability platform closed its third edition in Lisbon this week, bringing together global leaders, innovators, industry changemakers and decision-makers to explore how innovation, technology and strategic action can drive sustainability across the business events industry and beyond.

The two-day gathering united global leaders, innovators and changemakers to advance sustainability across the business events industry, crowning the winner of the inaugural C4C Global Awards and unveiling a first-of-its-kind Digital Resource Library

More than 130 participants from 16 countries gathered in Lisbon September 15–16 for two days of keynotes, Peer Circles and live innovation pitches, capping the platform’s most ambitious edition since its founding in 2024.

“Sustainability in this industry has moved past conversation — it now demands proof, ambition and shared accountability,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO of PCMA and CEMA. “What we witnessed in Lisbon this week is exactly that: a global community that showed up ready to build, not simply to discuss. Our first Global Awards competition and our new Digital Resource Library are proof of what happens when this community stops talking about change and starts building it together.”

C4C 2026 featured an international line-up of experts bringing perspectives from climate science, technology, entertainment, social impact, sustainability and business transformation, as noted here:

Fehinti Balogun — Actor & Global Changemaker. The BAFTA-nominated actor, known for his roles in Dune and alongside Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor, explored the power of creative industries to influence behavior, shift culture and inspire meaningful climate action. Balogun co-founded Green Rider, an initiative driving sustainable transformation across the television and film industry.

Kristen Averyt — Executive Vice President, American Geophysical Union (AGU). A globally respected climate scientist, Averyt, shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize awarded jointly to the IPCC and Al Gore.

Dani Rayner — Former Director of Marketing Planning & Operations, Netflix (EMEA & APAC). Rayner helped initiate Netflix’s sustainability movement.

The speaker line-up also included representatives from Google, Amazon, Warner Bros. Films, Destination Canada and the University of Cambridge, who explored topics ranging from AI and innovation to sustainability and how to drive social impact in a commercial world.

A major highlight of C4C was the launch of the inaugural C4C Global Awards, celebrating pioneering solutions that are driving positive change across the global business events ecosystem.

Following a global call for entries, 12 finalists from around the world showcased their innovations. For the first time, finalists took the stage for a live pitching experience, presenting their ideas, solutions and innovations to an international audience. Categories and winners include:

First place | Technology for Climate awarded to Sebastian Horstmann for Cosysense, an AI operating system for commercial buildings that enables HVAC and electrical systems to optimize themselves, reducing energy waste and emissions.

Second place | Trailblazer awarded to Joyce Leveston for JavitsCares, driving community impact by cultivating a farm to harness solar energy and redirecting surplus food and materials to nonprofits.

Third place | Human Impact awarded to Gayle McQuinn for Neurodiversity in Events Checklist – a practical framework for removing cognitive, sensory and communication barriers.

Fourth place | Impact Events awarded to Christine Roche for Autism Europe Congress 2025, redesigning an international congress around neuro-inclusive principles.

C4C also marked the launch of the first Digital Resource Library for the business events community, bringing together the innovative ideas and solutions showcased through the C4C Global Awards.

The library features the 12 C4C Global Awards finalists. As the Awards evolve annually, the Digital Resource Library will grow alongside them — creating an industry resource that showcases innovative ideas shaping a more sustainable future for business events.

A defining feature of C4C is its Peer Circles, which create space for deeper conversation and exchange with experts and fellow industry leaders. Five Peer Circles at C4C explored:

• Sustainability, innovation and growth in the era of AI and technology — led by Floris van de Peppel, Google
• Driving social impact in a commercial world — led by Kelly Wilson, former Director of Social Impact, Warner Bros.
• Rethinking how we fund the future of flying — led by Sarah Wilkinson, Fly Green Alliance
• From AI ambition to real-world transformation — led by Daniel Harrison, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Shaping the future of sustainable business events — led by Virginie de Visscher, Destination Canada

C4C 2026 was supported by a global network of partners committed to advancing sustainability, innovation and positive change across the business events industry.

Foundational Partners: United Airlines, Destination Canada, Fáilte Ireland, Meet in Ireland and Marina Bay Sands.

Strategic Partner: The Strategic Alliance of National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE).

Event Partner: Events DC.

For media inquiries from the Americas, APAC, EMEA and LATAM, please contact: Meghan Risch, PCMA Chief of Staff, Vice President, Corporate Communications

About PCMA

PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspire, and listen, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our mission is to drive social and economic progress through business events. Headquartered in Chicago, IL PCMA has 17 North American Chapters, regional communities in APAC, EMEA and LATAM, and members in 72 countries and communities. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Visit us at pcma.org.

About Convene 4 Climate

Convene 4 Climate (C4C) is a global platform and movement designed to accelerate the transition of the business and business events industry toward sustainability and regeneration. Launched in 2024 through a collaboration between PCMA and the Strategic Alliance of National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE), C4C takes a structured, action-oriented approach to fostering cross-sector collaboration and enabling stakeholders to implement practical, measurable solutions. C4C is supported by foundational partners United Airlines, Destination Canada, Fáilte Ireland, Meet in Ireland and Marina Bay Sands — a group of forward-looking organizations aligned with C4C’s core philosophy: driven by responsibility and fueled by technology to deliver transformation.