BLD Southeast Conference Empowers B Corps to Build a Better World
Last week, business owners and staff of B Corps gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina for an empowering conference. Unlike typical conferences, this event was dedicated to B Corps – mission-driven companies that strive to balance purpose and profit. B Corps focus on making positive contributions to the world, tackling issues ranging from climate change to racial justice.
According to Nathan Stuck, founder and CEO of Profitable Purpose Consulting and one of the event coordinators, companies today need to be more than just for-profit businesses. They need to stand out by making a difference. And for Stuck, the BLD Southeast conference was the ultimate platform for achieving that.
This emerging trend of purpose-driven companies is gaining momentum. Employees, particularly the younger generation, seek more than just corporate statements and empty promises. They want to see tangible action from their organizations. In fact, Gartner identifies a shared purpose as one of the five components employees are looking for to find greater value in their jobs.
The essence of the B Corp movement lies in taking concrete action. Becoming a certified B Corp involves a rigorous process, including obtaining a minimum score on the B Impact Assessment, complying with legal requirements, and being transparent.
Mel Hubner, the Director of Social Impact & Sustainability for local B Corp Brand Fuel and an event coordinator, emphasizes the significance of B Corp certification. It serves as a credibility piece, demonstrating that a company is actively doing the work and holding itself accountable. Certification communicates a clear mission to customers and suppliers.
While the B Corp movement has a parent organization called B Lab, bringing together the B Corp community is largely a volunteer effort. The executive committee for the BLD Southeast conference consisted of representatives from various regions, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the movement.
After the challenges of pandemic-related disruptions, the B Corp community finally had the opportunity to meet in person at this year’s sold-out event in Raleigh. The conference kicked off with networking events, strategy sessions, a walking tour of the city, and a welcome reception. The following day, sessions took place at NC State University’s Talley Student Union, in partnership with the Poole College of Management Business Sustainability Collaborative.
The B Corp community, while relatively small, is tightly-knit. Attendees from different parts of the country, ranging from Oregon to Louisiana to Maine, had the chance to connect and build friendships. The event provided a space for reuniting with old friends and fostering new relationships.
Looking ahead, the major B Corp event planned for 2024 will take place in Vancouver next March. In the meantime, those interested in exploring the B Corp movement in the Triangle area can engage with the active B Local Triangle chapter.
Mel Hubner hopes that the BLD Southeast conference will give B Corps in the Triangle a significant boost. With optimism, she anticipates that more people will begin to understand and embrace the movement. It represents a fresh start for the B Local Triangle community, which holds a special place in Hubner’s heart.
By coming together at the BLD Southeast conference, B Corps are further empowered to build a better world, one where purpose and profit coexist harmoniously. The event serves as a reminder of the incredible potential that businesses have to make a positive impact and create a sustainable future.
