Xplore Sustainability North America - 15-16 October 2024

As companies around the world are striving to balance immediate operational pressures with the increasing demand for sustainability from lawmakers, investors, and consumers achieving detailed visibility into supply chain activities has never been more critical.

Xplore Sustainability North America brings together leaders in sustainability, compliance, and procurement from major global brands within Sedex's network. Join industry giants like ADM, Campbell’s, Ferrara, ITW, Mars, and Molson Coors to explore the latest trends in supply chain sustainability and address your most pressing challenges.

This expanded two-day conference will leave you armed with practical tips, takeaways and actionable insights to take back to your organization.

Take a look at the latest agenda

Day One: Tuesday October 15

08:30- 09:30	Registration Time for attendees to arrive, register and network over coffee and a light breakfast.
09:30 -09:45	Welcome • Pritesh Chauhan, Head of Community, Sedex A warm welcome to Xplore Sustainability North America 2024 with our Head of Community, Pritesh Chauhan.
09:45 – 10:10	Making the Connection Embracing the breadth of our audience, this informal session will facilitate introductions and spark conversations, creating a safe space to share sustainability challenges, what you hope to get from the event and a chance to connect with your peers.
10:10 – 10:40	Sedex Updates & Roadmap: 2025 Strategy and Beyond • Allison Hudson, Director of Member & Customer Relations, Sedex Understand how Sedex’s data-driven tools empower our members to meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges through enabling greater supply chain visibility, compliance with sustainability-related laws and ESG performance management.
10:40 – 11:10	Networking Break
11:10 – 11:40	The ESAQ: A Structured Approach to Measuring Environmental Performance in Your Supply Chain • Bairavy Ragulan, Senior Product Manager, Sedex Managing and analysing environmental data from suppliers can be a daunting and time-consuming task. The Environment Self-Assessment Questionnaire (ESAQ) enables members to efficiently meet regulatory, reporting, and sustainability objectives. Join our environmental sustainability experts as they talk through the ESAQ and wider environmental standards and regulations.
11:40 – 12:20	Assessing Suppliers through Self-Assessment: An Essential Component of Due Diligence • Tom Sewell, Social Sustainability Manager, Sedex • Sarah Guy-Gibbens, Product Manager, Sedex The emphasis on corporate sustainability and human rights due diligence has never been stronger. While many companies are already comfortable using the Sedex SAQ for suppliers with goods in their value chain, suppliers who provide services often fall under the radar. Join us for an insightful session on the importance of including service providers in your due diligence process. Explore the core components of the SAQ and understand how it can be integrated into your overall due diligence strategy for all supplier types.
12:20 – 13:00	Member Voice: HH Global – ESG Reflections and Best Practice Sharing • Sean Carr, Director of Sustainability, Americas, HH Global • Bob Gill, Vice President - Strategic Sourcing, Americas, HH Global Join us for an insightful session with HH Global as they share their journey and best practices in ESG strategies. This session will cover: • HH Global’s Global ESG Strategy: Discover how HH Global is leading the way in sustainable practices on a global scale. • Collaboration with Sedex: Learn how HH Global has partnered with Sedex to achieve their ESG goals. • Common Challenges and Tips for Success: Gain valuable insights into the challenges faced. • Use of the Service Provider SAQ: Explore how the Service Provider Self-Assessment Questionnaire is being utilized. • Geo & Industry Risk Targeted Campaigns: Dive into targeted campaigns that address geographical and industry-specific risks. • The Importance of Education and Alignment on ESG Internally: Understand the critical role of internal education and alignment in driving ESG initiatives.
13:00 – 14:15	Networking Lunch
14:15 – 14:45	Elevating the Audit Experience with SMETA 7.0 • Clare Fitton, SMETA Evolution & Impact Lead, Sedex • Gaby Sebire, Principal Product Manager, Sedex As companies strive to build sustainable and ethical supply chains, the need for robust assessment tools has never been greater. We are excited to be launching SMETA 7.0 - the updated methodology offers enhanced features and greater insights, enabling companies to identify and address risks more effectively. Understand key changes to the SMETA audit methodology with the team behind it, including: • Workplace Requirements • Management Systems Assessment • Collaborative Action Required
14:45 – 15:15	SMETA 7.0 Case Studies with IMPACTT • Doug Nystrom, Senior Advisor, IMPACTT Hear case studies relating to aspects of the latest SMETA audit methodology with IMPACTT
15:15 - 15:45	Sustainability Keynote: Environment and Scope 3 Emissions – Opportunities and Challenges for Business • Laila Petrie, Founder, 2050 Laila Petrie is a leading voice in sustainability with over 18 years of experience. As the founder of 2050 and former Textiles Global Lead for WWF International, Laila will explore the landscape of Scope 3 emissions and the emerging solutions that are most relevant for the supply chain. From best practice examples to macro trends, Laila will provide an accessible overview of the opportunities and future trends in climate action and the role the private sector can play.
15:45 – 16:15	Networking Break
16:15 - 17:00	Navigating Sustainability: Insights & Strategies • Leah Powley, Senior Analyst, Ferrara • Noémie Job, Managing Consultant, Sedex This interactive session will update you on the latest global sustainability and due diligence legislation, featuring members sharing some of their own experiences in navigating these with Sedex’s help.
17:00 – 17:30	Ask the Executives: Insights and Q&A • Jon Hancock, CEO, Sedex • Allison Hudson, Director of Member & Customer Relations, Sedex • Moderator: Olivia Thomson, Communications Manager Sedex In line with our commitment to open communication, this session provides a exclusive platform to ask your questions directly to members of the Sedex executive team. Bring the issues that matter most to your organisation and dive into a fast-paced Q&A session.
17:30 – 17:35	Closing & Reflections
17:35 – 19:30	Networking Drinks & Activities & Sedex Expert-Led Pods Join us for an informal drinks reception and the chance to network with attendees and the Sedex team. We will also be hosting drop-in "ask the expert" pods where you can speak with members of the various Sedex teams in attendance, from SMETA to Service Provider and Audit Quality.

Day Two: Wednesday October 16

08:30 – 09:30	Registration Time for attendees to arrive, register and network over coffee and a light breakfast.
09:30 – 09:35	Welcome • Pritesh Chauhan, Head of Community, Sedex A warm welcome to Xplore Sustainability North America 2024 with our Head of Community, Pritesh Chauhan.
09:35 – 10:05	Sustainability Keynote: Navigating ESG Whiplash • Jessica Wollmuth, Americas Climate Change and Sustainability Services Deputy Leader, EY Jessica Wollmuth will share perspectives on ESG Trends and Drivers; The Value of Sustainable Business Practices - what remains valuable amid buzzword backlash & evolving terminology; translating corporate conversations to supply chain sustainability and EY's Sustainability Program and Commitments.
10:05 – 11:00	Effective Strategies for Supplier Engagement and Supply Chain Mapping • Audrey Clavedon, Head of Global Sustainability Impact & Engagement, Sedex • Isabelle Fletcher-Wilson, Head of Account Management & Customer Success, Sedex This session combines fresh approaches to implementing supplier engagement programs and discusses the importance of supply chain mapping. Sedex experts outline where we can support members.
11:00 – 11:30	Networking Break
11:30 – 12:00	Member Case Study: Effective Strategies for Supplier Engagement with Kalsec Inc. • Holly Rogers-Rios, Responsible Sourcing Manager, Kalsec Inc. • Moderator: Keren Bowman, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Sedex Holly Rogers-Rios shares some reflections and tips from their ongoing work to onboard and engage with suppliers, using Sedex.
12:00 – 12:45	Deep-Dive: Understanding the new SMETA Audit Methodology & Recruitment Fees • Clare Fitton, SMETA Evolution & Impact Lead, Sedex • Nancy Phan, SMETA Evolution Manager – Forced Labour, Sedex • Veronica Ospina, Program Manager US & Mexico, Stronger Together • Tori Curbelo, US Business Development & Advisory Manager, Stronger Together An extended session to discuss some of the practical detail and impacts of the new SMETA methodology on areas such as recruitment fees.
12:45 – 14:00	Networking Lunch
14:00 – 14:30	Enhancing Supply Chain Sustainability with Environmental Data and Insights • Audrey Clavedon, Head of Global Sustainability Impact & Engagement, Sedex A discussion around deepening environmental data and insights with Head of Global Sustainability Impact and Engagement, Audrey Clavedon.
14:30 – 15:00	Audit Quality Programme (AQP): Driving best practice among audit companies • Mariana Casillas, Senior SMETA & QA Manager, Sedex Join us for updates on the Audit Quality Programme (AQP) - Sedex’s quality assurance programme for SMETA audits with Mariana Casillas, Senior SMETA & QA Manager, Sedex
15:00 – 15:30	Networking Break
15:30 – 16:00	Open Forum: Your Questions Answered This interactive session is your chance to get the answers you need. Whether you have lingering questions from previous sessions or new queries that have arisen, our expert team is here to provide clarity. Don't miss this opportunity to address your burning questions and leave with all the information you need.
16:00 - 16:15	Closing Session - wrap up and reflections Reflection on the day and ideas for the future as well as sharing attendee feedback.
16:15	Event Ends

Download a PDF of the full agenda here.

Please note that the agenda may be subject to change.