Global Fashion Summit: Boston Edition 2023
Global Fashion Summit: Boston Edition 2023 will take place on 27 September, in the Revere Hotel in Boston, United States. The new edition is the second time that the event will be hosted outside of Copenhagen and the first time in North America since its inception in 2009. At the Boston Edition, we will present content on the theme of ambition to action with a particular focus on retailers.
The United States is home to some of the world’s most renowned fashion brands and leading retailers – it was the largest apparel market in the world in 2022. An estimated 1.8 million people are employed in the US fashion industry, with 79 percent of these people working for apparel retailers. By bringing the forum to the City of Boston – the cultural and financial centre of the Northeastern United States – the new Edition will include even more retailer voices in the programme to form a deeper understanding of the challenges, differences, and opportunities towards a more sustainable value chain.
Major objectives for sustainability action are in place. Yet across the globe, industries are not on track to meet them, and pathways of improvement are often unclear. Despite forceful aspirations for change, it is crucial that the fashion industry now leverages its potential by employing proven strategies for impact.
Global Fashion Summit: Boston Edition 2023 will dive further into the theme of the 2023 Copenhagen Edition: ‘Ambition to Action.’ It will build on the conversations and learnings from the event in June, with a deeper focus on the perspectives of retailers across multiple content streams. Retailers play a vital role in shaping consumer behaviour and driving industry change as they serve as the primary point of contact between brands and their customers. By engaging retailers, the Summit will facilitate collaboration towards a more equitable and sustainable value chain overall.
During such an unpredictable time for global and national economies, sustainable retail is also a strategic response that can help insulate businesses from broader market uncertainty. This is primarily because a sustainable and net-positive fashion industry is associated with greater resilience and long-term value creation, enabling retailers to better weather volatility.
While the sustainability attitude-behaviour gap in consumers has been historically significant, current trends suggest a gradual closure due to a rise in environmental consciousness, particularly amongst younger generations. Enhanced data can further expedite this closure, allowing customers to align their purchasing behaviour with their sustainable attitudes. Retailers who effectively communicate their sustainability efforts can garner customer loyalty.
Truly embodying Ambition to Action requires a unanimous mindset shift from leaders. The Summit will pave the pathway to net-positive and demonstrate the opportunity for the industry to subvert its current path by putting back more into society, the environment and the global economy than it takes out.
Main Stage
Main Stage speakers will showcase inspiring thought leadership for accelerated change by exploring a matrix of interconnected themes. Speakers will discuss their mutual challenges within the industry and the actions need to tackle the urgent issues.
Action Sessions
The 2023 Boston Edition will build on more than a decade’s worth of Summit momentum and outcomes by to facilitate intimate Case Studies. Through these formats, the forum will demonstrate tangible learnings where speakers will openly share evidence-based solutions and powerful initiatives that have advanced their work.
Private Roundtables
This is a private, closed-door leadership roundtable meeting with 10-15 key stakeholders addressing a topic via intimate discussions which have been carefully curated by GFA. Participants could include policymakers, brands, NGOs and more.
Innovation Forum
The Innovation Forum will present a curated exhibition of the world’s leading sustainable solutions. Summit attendees can meet with exhibitors covering the entire value chain – from innovative materials to end-of-use solutions.
Both Regular and Premium tickets are available for Global Fashion Summit: Boston Edition 2023. All Summit tickets include access to the multiple content streams, the Innovation Forum, and catering. Premium tickets additionally include an invitation to the Summit celebration dinner on evening of 27 September, and access to the On-Demand library post-event.
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition Annual Meeting, powered by Global Fashion Agenda, will take place in Boston on 26 September, prior to the Summit. Combo tickets are available for SAC Members wishing to attend both events.
Learn more about the Boston Edition and Secure your ticket here.
Global Fashion Summit is the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion and is presented by Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) – a non-profit organisation that is accelerating the transition to a net positive fashion industry, under the patronage of HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark. GFA accelerates impact by mobilising, inspiring, influencing and educating all stakeholders.
Convening major decision makers from across the world, the forum was first launched in 2009 as a COP15 side event and has become the nexus for agenda-setting discussions and presentations on the most critical environmental, social and ethical issues facing our industry and planet, all intended to spark urgent action and accelerate impact in the industry.
Do you have any questions about the Global Fashion Summit, get in contact.
