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.
Leaders from these organizations are coming. Are you?
Benefits
What You'll Walk Away With
Clear insights, practical tools, and trusted relationships to help you move faster and make smarter decisions.
register nowIndustry 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.
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
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 Westin Downtown
6:00 PM
Check-in and settle into condos on-site
Evening
Welcome social event and dinner
Thursday, Sept 17th
Day 2 - Level Set + Working Groups + Breakouts
Morning
Breakfast, opening remarks, and the "Level Set" plenary covering five critical topics
Midday
Gondola ride to a scenic mountaintop lunch
Afternoon
Facilitated working groups producing industry aspiration statements
Late PM
Choose-your-own breakout sessions
Evening
Social event and dinner
Friday, Sept 18th
Day 3 - General Assembly + Departure
Morning
Breakfast and Final General Assembly with working group presentations
11:00 AM
Close and board bus to Denver International Airport (1:00 PM expected arrival)
Travel
Box lunches provided for the trip home
Download the full itinerary
Get a free printable PDF of the full day-by-day breakdown of the event.
download nowThursday, Sept 17th
Day 2 Deep Dive: Level Set Plenary
We'll spend Thursday morning aligning the room on five critical topics that ground the working sessions to follow.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 • What to bring: 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 ease the climb, with stops for photos before the descent.
Duration: 1.5 hours • What to bring: Basic cycling experience required
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 • What to bring: Organizations exploring formal climate commitments
E-Bike River Tour
Guided scenic ride along the Fraser River Trail into the town of Winter Park. Pedal-assist e-bikes make cruising easy past water, wildflowers, and local wildlife. After exploring town, return to the base for a complimentary drink at The Local's Call.
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 an original piece inspired by the Fraser Valley.
Duration: 2–3 hours • What to bring: Creative attendees and those looking for a relaxed, scenic experience
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
Proof Over Promises — Registration
Sign up now! - Limited Spots Available!
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.
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.
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.
Attending PPAI's Responsibility Summit right before?
Great. We planned this to complement 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 a prerequisite — to show up prepared for our Climate Conference.