The 1% for the Planet global network consists of thousands of businesses and environmental partners in more than one hundred countries. In 2025, our Sessions events program showed up in six cities to prove that even when a small part of this network gets together, great things happen.
The goal of the 1% for the Planet Sessions program is to create a space for our network to connect and showcase the work of our members and environmental partners in action. And in 2025, we accomplished exactly that with the support of each community.
Keep scrolling for a recap of all six Sessions events—proving this network is stronger together!
SESSIONS: BURLINGTON (VT)
We kicked off the 2025 Sessions schedule in our home state of Vermont. Hosted by Zero Gravity Brewing, Sessions: Burlington proved that although this state is small, our community is mighty.
Recent USL2 National Champions, local heroes and 1% for the Planet member, the Vermont Green FC shared why giving back to the planet is at the heart of their club. Vermont Green FC founders Sam Glickman and Patrick Infurna were joined by Erin De Vries, Co Director of Vermont River Conservancy, and Sarah Alberghini Winters, Executive Director of Vermont Parks Forever, on our power of partnerships panel.
“1% for the Planet just put on a masterclass in community building at the recent Sessions event at Zero Gravity Brewing in Burlington, Vermont. My biggest takeaway: Success can happen in silos…but when we create meaningful partnerships, the impact is exponential.” - Mo Fitzgerald, Sessions: Burlington attendee
Members Barrel Maker Printing and Recover Brands joined forces to provide attendees with custom 1% for the Planet t-shirts. And of course, attendees were given the chance to make some impact of their own as Rozalia Project provided hands on microplastic education and Soles4Souls offered a shoe drive.
SESSIONS: TORONTO
Hosted by Patagonia, Sessions: Toronto was a true showcase of a local network in action with POW Canada and EcoSchools Canada in attendance to share their work with attendees.
During our panel on the power of partnerships, Anita Spiller, Vice President of ESG at TruEarth, and Andrew Manson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Daily Bread Food Bank, illustrated the strength of long-term partnerships and the importance of consistent support.
“A gathering that was fun, energizing, and a reminder of what’s possible when people come together around shared values. At its best, community doesn’t just connect us. It gives us direction. Even in business.” - Nat Korol, Sessions: Toronto attendee
Fun fact: TruEarth has donated over 4.5 million eco strips through their partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank. That’s 4.5 million loads of fresh laundry to help those experiencing poverty—as TruEarth strongly believes hygiene should not be a privilege, but a right for everyone.
SESSIONS: VENTURA
We connected with our network at the Patagonia headquarters for Sessions: Ventura. 1% for the Planet business members Cactus Foods, Topa Topa Brewing and Pantalones Tequila provided snacks and beverages to ensure everyone had a good time in Ventura.
SGA Marketing and Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council brought us together for our panel on the power of partnerships. Stephen Groner, Founder and President of SGA Marketing, showed us that giving back doesn’t always have to be monetary, but businesses can use their expertise to provide value for their environmental partners. Pauline Allen, Executive Director at Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council, shared that sometimes the best response to natural disasters such as wildfires is putting in the work to prevent the next one.
Saticoy Food Hub and Seatrees were also in attendance to feature their important work as environmental partners.
“The highlight for me was the Power of Partnerships panel. I also loved hearing from Nécessaire on how valuable it is to be part of this community. Not only because of the agency granted in giving back, but for learning how to grow as more responsible businesses.” - Paloma Jacome, Sessions: Ventura attendee
We couldn’t have brought together our Southern California community without the help of our generous Local Sponsor, Avocado Green Mattress, and our Impact Sponsors, ALPAKA and PROMIX Nutrition.
SESSIONS: NYC
During Climate Action Week, our network showed up strong. Generously hosted by Laird & Good Company, Sessions: NYC was a showcase of collective action and partnership.
Local sponsor OXO partnered with Barrel Maker Printing to provide attendees with custom live printed water bottles. Crafted Catering built the most beautiful spread of food for attendees. Pantalones Tequila provided a custom tasting and Spindrift’s sparkling water kept everyone hydrated.
To cap off the evening, Jorge Blanco, the Global Narrative Storytelling and North America Culture & Creative Director at Davines, and Annie Brown, the Vice President of Development at Rodale Institute, shared their partnership story—proving how working together creates a better planet and product. From this partnership, Davines and Rodale institute founded the European Regenerative Organic Center—driving the regenerative organic movement beyond food and fiber to beauty and personal care.
“What I loved most was connecting with so many other people who share the same passion for sustainability and the future of our planet. It’s moments like these that remind me how powerful community can be in driving real change.” - Juliana Pokorny, Sessions: NYC attendee
During Climate Action Week in New York City, our Local Sponsor OXO and Impact Sponsor Kinetic Communities Consulting helped us bring together our global network. We couldn’t have done it without their support.
SESSIONS: AMSTERDAM
In preparation for our next Global Summit (stay tuned for official dates coming soon!), we visited our European network in Amsterdam. Hosted at the local Patagonia store, Sessions: Amsterdam exemplified the diversity of the 1% for the Planet network.
Consisting of businesses of different industries, size and scope, our member-led panel featured Aubrey Wallace, Co-Founder of Dandelion Branding, Jeske Koomen-Schouten, CSR Lead EMEA at Cell Signaling Technology, and Michael Hendriks, Owner of Bon Ton Toys. Our panelists discussed why they decided to join 1% for the Planet, their companies giving strategies and their personal commitments to the planet. Their advice to attendees thinking about joining the network? Do it.
“It's amazing to see how a network can bring together so many different organizations, from toy producers to botanical beer brewers and kelp farmers all united to working together to support people and the planet by simply donating 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes. This one thing that brought us all together was such a game changer to have meaningful conversations and feel powerful as a community doing great work.” - Vincent Schöning, Sessions: Amsterdam attendee
Attendees also met with local environmental partners Wilderness International, The Tipping Point, and the Kelp Forest Foundation. And of course, it wouldn’t be a successful gathering in the Netherlands without delicious beer—generously provided by local member Lowlander Brewing.
SESSIONS: SAN FRANCISCO
We closed out our 2025 Sessions program with a celebration worthy of our Bay Area network. Hosted by Peak Design, Sessions: San Francisco featured a makers market with environmental partners Women’s Earth Alliance, California State Parks Foundation, California Fire Safe Council, Plastic Pollution Coalition and Pachamama Alliance.
Randi Christiansen, Co-Founder and former CEO of Nécessaire, kicked off our programming by sharing her personal journey as a 1% for the Planet member and encouraging business leaders in the room to give back, too. As Sessions 2025 Presenting Sponsor, Nécessaire helped bring together our global network across six cities and grow our movement.
Consisting of long time business members, our panel featured Peter Dering, Founder and CEO of Peak Design, Michelle Hirons, CEO of HigherRing, and Paul Lightfoot, General Manager of Patagonia Provisions. Although each panelist represented a company from vastly different industries, they found commonalities in their commitment to environmental giving.
“I went to Sessions last night and loved it!! I’ve been to quite a few networking events lately and this was by far my favorite- casual, meaningful, delicious food and friendly folks!” -Annie Nogg, Sessions: San Francisco attendee
Headlands Brewing, Bandit Wines and JuneShine kept the party going as our generous purveyors of beverages.
This special evening capped off our Sessions 2025 program, brought our Bay Area community together and created lasting impact. Sessions: San Francisco was made possible by our Local Sponsor, Ornot, and Impact Sponsors PROMIX Nutrition and JuneShine.
Where to next?
With the success of our Sessions program in 2025, we can’t wait to hit the road again in 2026. We’re talking to members and locking in dates. Be sure to stay up to date on where we’re going on our Sessions events page. New cities and dates coming soon! We hope to see you there.
Sessions would not be possible without the generous support of our presenting sponsor, Nécessaire! A big thank you to our local and impact sponsors: OXO, Avocado Green Mattress, Ornot, PROMIX Nutrition, Kinetic Communities Consulting, ALPAKA and JuneShine.
