Conference News: CNBC’s Sustainable Future; IBC date change; Future of Retail?

New CNBC Franchise: CNBC recently launched a new franchise, Sustainable Future, which will focus on “how the biggest businesses on the planet are accelerating their action to tackle climate change.” As part of this expansion, the media company announced that they would host a new annual event: The Sustainable Future Forum.  This gathering of business leaders will likely take place in November in London in the lead up to COP26.  To shape the content of this franchise, CNBC has assembled “an ESG Council, an elite group of business leaders who will share their unique insights into the challenges, opportunities and pathways to a sustainable future.” Discussions at the Sustainable Future Forum will “navigate the challenges and actions businesses and governments must take for a brighter, more sustainable future.” More details about the event are expected to be released this summer.

IBC Goes Live in December: With EU commission data indicating that Europe is on track to achieve its 70% vaccination target by July 2021, and to significantly surpass this target by December, IBC has announced that it will move its conference from September to 3 – 6 December and hold it live at The RAI in Amsterdam.  According to their announcement, IBC noted that two thirds of their attendees said that they already feel they are ready to travel, and a vast majority expect any corporate travel restriction policies to be updated by the end of the summer. They also believe that airports, airlines, and hotels will have established smooth operations and be able to provide a more streamlined service by December. IBC will also have a virtual program of events for those who are not comfortable traveling.

Speaking Opportunity: Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference, which has grown to include three annual events, aims “to raise international awareness of developments, teaching, training, responsibilities, and ethics in the field of IT security and digital forensics.” By bringing together the digital forensics and cybersecurity industries these events offer opportunities for collaboration between the government and private sector. The California edition of the series, scheduled to be held live in San Diego between 25 – 27 October, is now seeking session proposals. According to the official CFP announcement: “Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts that are relevant, current, and reflect a learning objective from any of the following primary session tracks: Audit/Risk Management; Forensics; Investigations; and Information Security.” Submit via their online form by the 30 June deadline!

Lunchtime Learning: While the National Retail Federation (NRF) is known for its “Big Show” typically held in NYC (and scheduled next for 16-18 January 2022), the group also hosted a Retail Leadership Series from May through December of 2020. Live web programs featuring candid conversations between NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay and CEOs, the series featured retail brands and leaders across the economy such as Lowe’s, Walmart, Starbucks, Macy’s, Target, and Tractor Supply. Check out the video library of these conversations and learn how these brands made bold decisions during the pandemic – strategies like accelerating their digital investments and reinforcing a responsibility to do the right thing  – and what CEOs predict for the future of shopping.

Coming Up Next Week: Perennially one of the largest trade events for the video game industry, E3 (12-15 June) will hold an online expo this year, incorporating live press conferences and a four-day long video stream. Banff World Media Festival kicks off 14 June and runs through the first week of July. Fully online this year, Banff’s goal is bringing the global media industry together to “meet, screen, pitch, enlighten and socialize, all in real time.” IDG will host a virtual CIO Future of Cloud & Digital Infrastructure Summit, 15-17 June, to help IT leaders learn where their peers are applying cloud-native technologies to improve speed and efficiency for the business. Viva Technology will employ a hybrid format (we are about to see many more hybrid events!) when it runs 16-19 June, both in-person in Paris and online. And the focus for WSJ Women in the Workplace’s 17 July program is Intelligent Investing, offering an afternoon of conversation on demystifying the investment landscape, ranging from navigating the markets and selecting the right stocks to angel investing.