Sedex

We've been building this North American sustainability community for four years. On Thursday the room took over. And when that happens, you know you've built something real. Members supporting each other without being asked. Constructive, brave debate from people who cared enough to push back. Vulnerability and transparency from people who didn't have to share but chose to. And more proactive connecting than we could have ever planned for. That's not a programme. That's a community. When we started Xchange North America we were deliberate about one thing. We wanted this region to feel like its own, not an extension of something else. We wanted North America to own it. On Thursday, it did. And now this region is leading the way in setting the bar for what community can actually mean. The feedback that stays with me is this: "Hearing shared stories and realising we are not alone." "There are not enough spaces like this for sustainability and procurement professionals. This one is different." "The topics felt much more applicable. The attendance felt much more balanced. This year felt like it was for us." Thank you to everyone who showed up and shared something - it made all the difference #Sedex #XchangeNA #ThrivingCommunities #ResponsibleSourcing #SupplyChain #CommunityLed Carolina P. Matt Terreni Isabelle Fletcher-Wilson Tom Sewell Loz Gray Alexia Ward Fiona Beissel von Gymnich Martine Nerheim Hornseth Sam Dubin Mia Richter Patrick Sullivan Blake Zimmerman Clay Cain Tristan Block Danielle Meyers Cassidy Hoffman

I make all our conference attendee badges myself. Over the last five years, we have run many events with hundreds of people from lots of different companies, countries and industries. These badges are for the Xchange North America Event happening in 1 WEEKS TIME!!! If you are in or near Chicago and work in Sustainaiblity then don't miss out: Free event for relevant, invited guests - register here: https://lnkd.in/euU6XvJX One thing people are shocked about is when I tell them I create all the badges myself at home. At first this was because of operations, only 50 or so, or we didn't have enough lead time to get them printed externally. But after the first event I felt that by doing them myself, I get closer to the community. Printing out people's names, seeing thier job title and company, help me visuals who I'll be welcoming on the day. It helps me think about the room we're curating for those attendees who are taking time out to come to our event. It also makes me wonder what thier nicknames would be, how they would be mis-pronounced, where thier origin is from, or what the Starbucks guy is writing on thier cup. By now I could have delegated to a team members, outsourced it to an agency, and they don't look perfectly polished but they do the job. They feel more personal - I'd write them if I could but my hand-writing is awful, and operationally they mean that anyone who just turns up can get a badge. So yes I carry my little printer with me in my suitcase all over the world to print out your badge! #community #sedex #XchangeNA #Chicago #Sustainability #Supplychain

Excited to be attending Sustainability Live in Chicago this April with Sedex 🌱 If you'll be there too, let's connect!