September 16-18 • Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Proof Over Promises:
The Promo Climate Impact Forum

A working summit for leaders across the branded merchandise industry to move from climate talk to credible action—together.
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Benefits

What You’ll Walk Away With

Clear insights, practical tools, and trusted relationships to help you move faster and make smarter decisions.
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Industry Benchmarking

Learn how peer organizations are tackling the same regulatory, supply-chain, and operational challenges you’re navigating right now.

Proven, Practical Strategies

Gain peer-validated approaches and tools that reduce trial-and-error and can be implemented immediately.

Trusted Peer Network

Build a vetted, high-trust network for ongoing problem-solving and collaboration well beyond September.

Clear Next Steps

Leave with defined actions and accountability partners who understand your challenges and help ensure progress.
Logistics

The Details

When?

Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Friday, Sept. 18

Three focused days designed to balance structured work with organic conversation, learning, and relationship building.

Where?

Winter Park Resort, Colorado

A premium mountain setting with gondola access, nearby condo lodging, and an inspiring backdrop for meaningful professional connection.
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Logistics

What's Included

Your registration covers everything you need to focus on the work and the connections:
Roundtrip group transportation Denver ↔ Winter Park Resort
Lodging in nearby condos (assigned accommodations)
All meals: dinners, breakfasts, lunches, plus box lunch on departure day
Gondola ride + mountaintop lunch experience
Working groups + facilitated sessions
Optional breakouts: activities and practical workshops
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Timeline

Three-Day Agenda

The forum is carefully designed to build trust, establish shared context, develop practical solutions, and create lasting accountability partnerships. Each day serves a distinct purpose in this progression.
Wednesday, Sept 16th
Day 1 - Arrival + Welcome
4:30 PM: Bus departs Denver from the The Westin Downtown
6:00 PM: Check-in and settle into the condos on-site
‍Evening: Welcome social event and dinner
‍Goal: Meet people fast and start building trust in a relaxed setting
Thursday, Sept 17th
Day 2 - Level Set + Working Groups + Breakouts
Morning: Breakfast, opening remarks, and "Level Set" plenary covering five critical topics
‍Midday: Gondola ride to the mountaintop for a scenic lunch experience
‍Afternoon: Facilitated working groups producing industry aspiration statements
‍Late Afternoon: Choose-your-own breakout sessions (activities or skill-building workshops)
‍Evening: Social event and dinner to deepen relationships
Goal: Build shared understanding, develop tangible outputs, and cross-pollinate ideas
Friday, Sept 18th
Day 3 - General Assembly + Departure
Morning: Breakfast and Final General Assembly, where each working group presents aspiration statements
Brief amendment window, then adoption by assembly
‍11:00 AM: Close and board the bus back to Denver International Airport. Expected arrival of 1:00 PM.
Box lunches provided for travel
Goal: Solidify commitments, celebrate progress, and ensure follow-through

Download the full itinerary

Get a free printable PDF of the full day-by-day breakdown of the event.
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Thursday, Sept 17th

Day 2 Deep Dive: Level Set Plenary

Wednesday morning begins with a comprehensive "Level Set" session designed to establish shared context across all participants. Five expert presentations provide the foundation for informed working group discussions throughout the day.

1. State of the Climate

Current science, projected trajectories, and what the data means for business planning horizons. No doom-and-gloom—just clear-eyed assessment of the physical realities.

2. Regulatory Landscape

Where climate-related regulations may be heading and specific implications for branded merch. Preparation beats scrambling.

3. Physical Supply Chain Risk

How climate impacts are already affecting promo supply chains—and what vulnerabilities to monitor going forward.

4. Social Pressure + Reputational Risk

Evolving customer expectations, investor scrutiny, and employee values. Understanding what's driving demand for credible climate action.

5. Industry Response + Opportunity

Honest assessment of where current approaches are falling short—and the opportunity to chart a more credible course together.
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Features

Working Groups

The heart of the forum is five working groups where you'll collaborate with cross-functional peers to develop practical industry aspiration statements.

During registration, you'll rank your top three preferences, and the steering committee will assign groups to ensure balanced representation across roles, company types, and experience levels.

Changemakers & Action Takers

Who it's for: Senior leaders setting organizational direction and resource allocation

‍What you'll produce: A 12-month aspiration statement plus 3–5 recommended strategic actions that balance ambition with operational reality

Eco Warriors

Who it's for: Practitioners working on data collection, LCA, carbon accounting, and metrics

What you'll produce: Guidance on practical measurement approaches and data quality standards the industry should pursue

Next Horizon

Who it's for: Those tracking regulatory developments and emerging trends in purchasing

What you'll produce: A roadmap for proactive industry positioning on emerging climate-related positioning

Regional Action Networks

Who it's for: Leaders focused on building coalitions, industry collaboration, and shared learning

What you'll produce: A plan for sustaining momentum beyond the forum through ongoing connection and knowledge sharing

Technology & Innovation

Who it's for: Technical experts working on systems, standards, and information flow through supply chains

What you'll produce: Recommendations for improving climate data accessibility and interoperability across the value chain
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Thursday, Sept 17th

Day 2 Afternoon: Choose Your Breakout

Thursday afternoon includes pre-registered breakout sessions—choose the experience that best fits your goals. Options balance outdoor adventure with practical skill-building workshops, ensuring there's something valuable for everyone.

Guided Nature Hike

Guided alpine trek above treeline with sweeping views of the Fraser Valley and Continental Divide. Start with a gondola ride and shuttle, then hike a flexible 3.5–7 mile route led by an expert guide, with opportunities to spot local wildlife along the way.  Learn More
Duration: 3–4 hours • What to bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, water, sunscreen, and layered clothing for elevation changes

EcoVadis Deep Dive Workshop

Practical workshop on EcoVadis participation—what it requires, how to prepare, common pitfalls, and realistic timelines. Led by practitioners who've been through the process. Leave with a 90-day action plan.
Duration: 2 hours • Best for: Those considering or starting EcoVadis

E-Bike Mountain Tour

Scenic guided ride from Sunspot Lodge to Lunch Rock with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Pedal-assist e-bikes make the climb easy, with stops for photos before cruising back down. Ideal for those comfortable on a bike.  Learn More
Duration: 1.5 hours • Best for: Riders with basic cycling experience seeking a relaxed mountain ride

Science Based Targets Workshop

Hands-on session exploring the SBTi framework, what commitment actually entails, and whether it's the right fit for your organization. Review real examples, assess feasibility, and map potential pathways.
Duration: 2 hours • Best for: Organizations exploring formal climate commitments

E-Bike River Tour

Guided scenic ride along the Fraser River Trail into the town of Winter Park. This 90-minute experience blends leisure and adventure, with pedal-assist e-bikes making it easy to cruise past rushing water, wildflowers, and local wildlife. After exploring town, return to the base for a complimentary drink at The Local’s Call.  Learn More
Duration: 1.5 hours • What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and a water bottle

Paint The Peak

Outdoor painting experience set in a stunning alpine landscape. Begin at Adventure & Supply Co. before riding the gondola to a scenic overlook, where local artists guide you through a plein air session. No supplies needed. Just bring your creativity and take home an original piece inspired by the Fraser Valley.  Learn More
Duration: 2–3 hours • Best for: Creative attendees and those looking for a relaxed, scenic experience
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Logistics

Lodging, Meals, and Transportation

We've handled the logistics so you can focus on the work and the connections. Everything from Denver pickup to departure is included in your registration other than lodging.  
‍Expected total cost: $980 per person (room selection dependent)

Transportation - Included

Outbound: Comfortable coach bus departs Denver on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 4:30 PM
‍
‍Return: Bus departs Winter Park, Friday, September 18, at 11:00 AM. The bus will drop off at Denver International Airport at 1 PM (estimated), traffic depending.

Exact pickup/dropoff locations in Denver shared upon registration confirmation. Transportation to/from Denver International Airport included.

Meals - Included

Wednesday, Sept 16: Welcome dinner
‍Thursday, Sept 17: Breakfast, mountaintop lunch, dinner
‍Friday, Sept 18: Breakfast, box lunch for travel

All dietary restrictions and preferences honored. Special meals arranged as needed.

Lodging - Separate Expense

On-site condos at Winter Park Resort.

Lodging is booked separately. Estimated at $300 in total.

Book here: Winter Park Resort booking

Address: 85 Parsenn Rd, Winter Park, CO 80482

As of April 6th, only 53 spots are available!
BOOK NOW

Proof Over Promises — Registration

Sign up now! - Limited Spots Available! - Early Pricing Ends May 15th!

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Guiding Voices

Meet the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee brings together industry leaders helping shape the direction and priorities of the forum.
Amy Rabideau
Antera Software USA
Kate Alavez
PromoShop
Elizabeth Wimbush
PPAI
Laura Smith
Storm Creek
Brian Campbell
4imprint
Nick McCulloch
PCNA
Mike Smith
Aclymate
Quick Answers

FAQs

Everything you need to know before attending.
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Who should attend?
Cross-functional leaders driving climate strategy within their organizations: senior leadership, operations directors, marketing and brand managers, procurement and sourcing professionals, sustainability officers, and anyone responsible for translating climate commitments into operational reality. We're looking for practitioners ready to move from talk to action.
What's the dress code?
Mountain business casual. Think high-quality outdoor brands that work equally well in a conference room and on a gondola. Layers are essential—Colorado weather can shift quickly. Bring comfortable shoes suitable for walking and optional outdoor activities.
Is this a pledge or commitment event?
No. While we offer an opt-in commitments menu, Year One is explicitly focused on community building and practical action—not performative pledges. We're creating the conditions for sustained progress, which requires trust and honest dialogue before formal commitments. Choose only what's feasible for your organization today.
Can I arrive late or leave early?
While possible, we strongly encourage attending the full event arc. The forum is deliberately designed as a progression: trust-building on Day 1, intensive collaboration on Day 2, and solidifying commitments on Day 3. Arriving late or leaving early means missing critical relationship-building moments that make the working sessions more productive. That said, if you have unavoidable constraints, contact the steering committee to discuss options.
What should I bring back to my team?
You'll return with clear next steps validated by peers, accountability partners who understand your specific challenges, access to a vetted network for ongoing problem-solving, and practical tools you can implement immediately. Most importantly, you'll bring back the confidence that comes from knowing you're not navigating this alone.
How is attendance curated?
The steering committee reviews all registration requests to ensure balanced representation across company types (distributors, suppliers, decorators, service providers), functional roles, organization sizes, and experience levels. This intentional curation creates the conditions for productive working groups where diverse perspectives strengthen outcomes.
Attending PPAI's Responsibility Summit right before?
GREAT! We planned this to compliment and be adjacent to the efforts of keeping our industry informed around important product safety, compliance and sustainability issues. We believe the learnings from Summit are a great foundation, but not necessary, to show up prepared for our Climate Conference.