What’s it like to be a part of 1% for the Planet?

Global Summit 2024: San Diego showcases a global network in action

Global Summit 2024: San Diego offers a glimpse into the global network on a mission to create a better future for people and the planet. 1% for the Planet’s annual event brings together businesses, environmental partners, advocates and experts from around the world to learn, collaborate and create connections to ultimately amplify their environmental impact. 

1% for the Planet was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, as a way to hold businesses accountable. The concept was simple: businesses that use resources from our planet should pay for those resources by donating 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes. 

Today, 1% for the Planet is a global movement with thousands of businesses across the world donating millions of dollars each year to environmental partners. Global Summit represents a moment in which the 1% for the Planet network becomes personified. So, what’s it like to be a part of this global movement? We’ll tell you.

It’s all about impact

As she welcomed 350+ attendees from near and far to San Diego, CEO Kate Williams focused her opening remarks on the most pivotal part of 1% for the Planet: impact. To date, 1% for the Planet has certified more than $675 million in donations to environmental causes. But the 1% for the Planet team is focused on more, much more. 

“The environmental crisis needs much more support than it’s currently receiving. We’re on track to hit $1 billion in certified impact in the very near future. And, we’re focused on hitting the next billion even faster,” said Williams. 

At 1% for the Planet, impact is so much more than just a dollar figure—it’s about what those dollars do. Every donation represents the rare alignment between the business and nonprofit sectors—connecting on a shared vision for a better future. To plant a tree or grow a forest. To conserve public land. To teach a child how to grow a garden. To clean our oceans. To protect wildlife. To create a better future where people and the planet thrive. 

1% for the Planet is the catalyst that makes that impact possible. At Global Summit 2024: San Diego, attendees were able to make an impact throughout the three-day event. From pivotal networking moments along the way to the volunteer opportunities that were a part of programming, attendees walked away with a sense of accomplishment and connection.

“We found such immense value in the opportunity to connect with current, past, and potentially future supporters of our mission in a wonderfully human environment. So often exchanges between funders and grantees are not able to happen in such a friendly and informal space, particularly for us as a national organization!”—Madeleine Nelson, VP of Advancement at Big Green

“It was great to hear from partners and members about how they intentionally collaborate beyond the financial contribution. I believe in the power of shared resources to build better connections between the two.” - The Edible Schoolyard Project

Learning from the experts

What makes the $675 million+ in certified donations so impactful? 1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses and environmental partners that grows stronger from our shared knowledge and experience.

Global Summit provides an opportunity for exactly that! Environmental experts showcase their work, research and the support needed from the business sector. Business leaders provide their expertise through workshops and panels. 

“I enjoyed all of it, but I really appreciated the interview-style panels, especially with business members and environmental partners. It really put an emphasis on how these relationships can be fostered." - Martin Cacace, President of  Bound State Software

“The marketing workshop was a great opportunity for taking our inspiration and applying them to real life.” - Tessa Watne, Senior Marketing Associate at Innersense Organic Beauty

A global community, connecting personally

The 1% for the Planet network is built different. We’re businesses of many different sizes, industries and origins. We’re thousands of nonprofit organizations tackling unique environmental issues. We’re in more than 100 countries. We’re global. We’re local. But, we all have a shared interest in making the planet a better place.

Global Summit 2024: San Diego attendees not only learned from an incredible lineup of panelists, keynotes and workshops, but they were also provided with a curated experience that encouraged connection. From kicking off the morning with yoga to afternoon walks through the historic Balboa park and a collaborative evening of celebration, 1% for the Planet provided an intentional space that spanned far beyond traditional networking. 

Global Summit has been revered as the “conference that doesn’t suck” by attendees, and we like to think that our ability to foster genuine connections might have a little something to do with that.

“I love most the in-between moments, where I get to speak with someone I’ve never before met—learn something new from someone new to me.” - Lou Bank , Founder of S.A.C.R.E.D.  Agave 

“I was blown away at how quickly everyone connected on the first night. The attendees were all so welcoming and positive–it was such a different atmosphere and energy level than other conferences I've attended.” - Jessica Schlarbaum, Public Information Officer at The Peregrine Fund

Good for the planet, good for business

1% for the Planet’s network consists of businesses that give back. But let’s not forget, these business members sell incredible products and offer important services, too. 

Over the course of three days, we got to hear firsthand experiences from business members  sharing their success in sales, marketing and employee engagement — due to their commitment to 1% for the Planet. These case studies prove the theory that 1% for the Planet was built on: giving back is good for the planet, but also incredibly good for business. 

And lucky for us, that’s not all they shared with us. Throughout Global Summit 2024: San Diego, business members were given the opportunity to showcase their unique products and services. 

The annual event kicked off with shared drinks and a fireside chat at Pure Project brewery, kindly brought to us by our Canadian friends at Booth & Partners. In the morning, there was yoga provided by Experience Momentum. At the San Diego Natural History Museum, 1% for the Planet turned the atrium into an impressive makers market with featured products and services from Clove & Twine, Liveprinting.com, Trash Panda, and more, including a collaborative upcycled project between Nomadix and FARO.

The 2024 Summit Awards were supported by Flickr, creating an unforgettable night that was captured in part by Flickr’s interactive photobooth. After celebrating the Summit Award winners, attendees experienced After Hours at the Natural History Museum provided by 818 Tequila that included an incredible tequila bar featuring cocktails with local botanicals of the region. And, we can’t forget OXO’s unbelievable rooftop espresso martini bar. 

After final keynote moments and volunteering with environmental partners in the afternoon on Thursday, we capped off Global Summit 2024: San Diego the only way we know how—with a pool party by Best Day Brewing at the Lafayette Hotel. 

Thank you to our incredible photographer Duncan Nicholls and video producers from Hemmings House for capturing it all. And thank you to our event partners, Verdical Group and Eventus for supporting us in the creation and execution of Global Summit 2024: San Diego.

The Global Summit experience is always truly collaborative. We simply provide the container, and our network creates an incredible culminating experience.

“The peak memorable experience was the afterparty on the Nat's rooftop, enjoying late night talks fueled by quality snacks and drinks, and soaking in all of the great information shared throughout the summit.” - Timothy Berggren, VP of Operations Strategy at 3isFor

“As we had a few of our team join the Summit this year, I feel we're more engaged and closer as a team now, as well as more committed than ever to our purpose and the 1% mission. As the founder of the firm, this is super important!” - Nat Korol, Founding Partner at Hyphen

The success of the 1% for the Planet network and our annual Global Summit program would not be possible without the generous support of our business members. Thank you to our Global Summit 2024: San Diego sponsors for helping us create this incredible network experience!

‍