Below is a list of some of the most influential conferences in sustainability which includes specialized events in energy efficiency, the built environment, water, solar, utilities, and related fields. Many of these organizations host multiple conferences and events throughout the year in different locations so if you see a conference that looks good, be sure to check out the host organization’s website for additional events, training, and networking opportunities.
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Category Conference Name Approximate Month Past Location(s) Sponsoring Organization(s)
Transportation VERGE Transport (GreenBiz) October Oakland GreenBiz
Sustainable Cities International Conference on Sustainable Cities May New York Fordham University, Columbia University and New York University
Built Environment US Green Building Council (USGBC) Green Build Conference November Chicago US Green Building Council
Built Environment Urban Land Institute Fall Meeting Summit October Boston Urban Land Institute
Built Environment Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Conference June San Antonio Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
Built Environment, Green Roofs, Living Architecture Grey to Green Conference May Toronto Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Built Environment, Energy Codes National Energy Codes Conference July Austin US Department of Energy (DOE)
Lighting LIGHTFAIR International May Chicago International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Energy Efficiency International Symposium on Energy Efficiency (ACEEE) June Washington The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Energy Efficiency Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings (ACEEE) August Pacific Grove The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Energy Efficiency Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Building Energy NYC October New York Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Energy Efficiency Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Building Energy Boston March Boston Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Energy Efficiency The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) Annual Conference January San Antonio The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP)
Energy Efficiency, Finance Energy Efficiency Finance Forum (ACEEE) May Tarrytown The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Energy, Sustainability, Compliance Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference (ELEMCON) May Denver Environmental Leader
Energy VERGE Energy (GreenBiz) October Oakland GreenBiz
Energy Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Energy Week March Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University
Energy Columbia University Global Energy Summit April New York Columbia University
Utilities DistribuTECH February New Orleans PennWell Corporation
Utilities Grid Evolution Summit (SEPA) July Washington DC The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Utilities Electrification International Conference & Exposition (EPRI) August Long Beach Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Utilities, Retail Edison Electric Institute (EEI) National Key Accounts Workshop October San Antonio Edison Electric Institute
Renewables National Renewal Energy Lab (NREL) Industry Growth Forum and Conference May Denver U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
Renewables US Power and Renewable Energy Market Summit (Greentech Media) November Austin Greentech Media
BioFuels National Advanced BioFuels Conference and Expo June Omaha BBI International
Solar Solar and Storage Finance Texas April Houston Solar Media
Solar Solar Software Summit (Greentech Media) April La Jolla Greentech Media
Solar Solar Summit (Greentech Media) May La Jolla Greentech Media
Solar Intersolar Conference July San Francisco Solar Promotion International GmbH
Solar American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Conference August Boulder American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
Solar Solar Power International (SPI) Conference September Anaheim Solar Energy Trade Shows
Solar Solar and Storage Finance USA October New York Solar Media
Solar US Energy Storage Summit (Greentech Media) December San Francisco Greentech Media
Solar Midwest Solar Expo April Minneapolis Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Wind American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Conference May Chicago American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Wind Wind Energy Fall Symposium and Conference (AWEA) November Colorado Springs American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Water Emerging Water Technical Symposium (ASPE) May Ontario American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), World Plumbing Council (WPC)
Water American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) Tech Symposium September Atlanta American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
Textiles Planet Textiles: The Sustainable Textile Summit May Vancouver Sustainable Apparel Coalition
Circular Economy VERGE Circular (GreenBiz) October Oakland GreenBiz
Recycling, Materials, Plastics National Plastics Exhibition (NPE) May Orlando Plastics Industry Association
Recycling Resource Recycling Conference October St Louis National Recycling Coalition
Sustainability Ceres Conference April Boston Ceres
Sustainability Business for Social Responsibility Conference November New York Business for Social Responsibilty
Sustainability, CSR Net Impact October Phoenix Net Impact
Sustainability, Retail National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) EHS & Sustainability Management Forum October Louisville National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
CSR, Social Impact, Technology Social Innovation Summit June Silicon Valley Landmark Ventures
CSR Engage for Good Conference May Chicago Engage For Good
CSR, Brand Sustainable Brands June Vancouver Sustainable Life Media
Higher Education Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Annual Conference October Pittsburgh Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Higher Education Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Conference June Middletown Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium
Higher Education The Sustainability Curriculum Consortium Faculty Conference June Pittsburgh The Sustainability Curriculum Consortium
Wine Sonoma Sustainable Enterprise Conference June Rohnert Park Sustainable North Bay
Environmental Psychology The Behavior Energy & Climate Change Conference October Washington DC California Institute for Energy and the Environment, Precourt Energy Efficiency Center, American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Impact Investing Social Capital Network Conference October San Francisco Social Capital Markets
Impact Investing Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) Investor Forum & Expo October Paris The Global Impact Investing Network
Impact Investing Conference on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact (SRI) Investing November Colorado Springs First Affirmative Financial Network
