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GOAL Sustainability Leaders Forum 2025


Following the success of our first Sustainability Leaders Forum in Minneapolis, we’re heading to the UK on July 23rd & 24th to explore how private-sector leadership, strategic investment, and cultural influence can shape the future of climate action in sport and entertainment.

This is more than a gathering of sustainability professionals. It’s a curated experience for changemakers shaping the future of our industry—where venue operators, corporate partners, and innovators come together to explore how business influence, strategic investments, and purpose-led leadership can deliver measurable, lasting impact.

This invite-only event is complimentary for all confirmed attendees, including full access to programming, workshops, site visits, and hosted meals. Attendees are responsible for travel to/from Manchester, UK and accommodation within a reserved hotel block.

Highlights:

  • Experience a Billie Eilish concert at Co-op Live, the UK’s first all-electric arena.

  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Anfield, home of Liverpool FC and a case study in legacy-driven sustainability.

  • Strategic sessions, workshops, and networking with a cross-sector mix of corporate leaders, venue executives, and regional changemakers.

  • Bridge into the Sustainable Impact Exchange, a broader regional convening focused on scalable tools and cross-club collaboration.

AGENDA (Subject to change)

Held across two days in Manchester and Liverpool, the Forum will spotlight shared challenges — from circularity and supply chains to fan travel and food systems — and explore scalable, collaborative solutions.

The event’s two host venues shape the framing of each day:

Wednesday, July 23rd | Co-op Live, Manchester

  • At Co-op Live, the UK’s first all-electric arena

  • Theme: Spotlighting Innovation in Supply Chains Across the Sports & Entertainment Ecosystem

    • 11:00AM | Meet at Piccadilly Station for CityLink Walking Route Tour

    • 11:30AM | Welcome to Co-op Live

    • 11:45AM | Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Co-op Live
      See how the world's first all-electric arena is redefining sustainable design, fan experience, and operational efficiency.

    • 12:30PM | Group Workshop: What do we want out of our time together?
      Shared expectations, burning questions, and accountability.

    • 12:45PM | Entrepreneurial Sustainability
      Considering what it means to approach sustainability like an entrepreneur — starting with a bold vision or a real-world challenge and building creative, impactful solutions from the ground up.

    • 01:05PM | Break / Lunch

    • 01:30PM | Designing Out Waste: Circularity, Materials & the Future of Live Events (Mini-Presentations)
      Explore how leaders in sports, entertainment, and supply chains are embracing circularity, transforming everything from packaging and plastics to fabrics and fixtures.

    • 02:15PM | Future-Proofing Food & Beverage Systems
      From sourcing to packaging to food waste: how hospitality, events, and supply chain leaders are transforming F&B.

    • 03:15PM | Extended Break

    • 05:45PM | Dinner & Cocktail Hour

    • 07:00PM | Special Access: Billie Eilish Live at Co-op Live
      Experience sustainability in action during one of the most climate-conscious tours on the planet.

Transit from Manchester to Liverpool provided.

Thursday, July 24th | Anfield, Liverpool

  • At Anfield, one of sport’s most storied venues

  • Theme: LEADING WITH LEGACY

    How community, tradition, and purpose can unlock long-term impact—and how legacy venues are adapting for the future.

    • 08:00AM | Coach transfer to Anfield

    • 09:30AM | Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Anfield
      A behind-the-scenes look at Liverpool FC’s sustainability evolution—balancing global influence with neighborhood roots.

    • 10:30AM | Decarbonizing Infrastructure Across Industries
      Where strategies converge across arenas, data centers, and industrial operations.

      • Amil Shah, Director of Carbon Solutions, 1pointFive

      • Mark Knowles, Head of Low Carbon, Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership

      • Phil Birch, Global Lead, Biodiversity, Amazon

    • 11:15AM | Break

    • 11:30AM | Reimagining Travel & Transport for Events and Communities
      From fan journeys to supplier logistics: the promise of sustainable aviation fuel, EV adoption, and public transit.

    • 12:10PM | What Does Sustainability Success Look Like?
      Tackling one of the biggest questions in sustainability: how do we know we’re making a difference?

    • 12:30PM | Networking Lunch

    • 01:25PM | Bridge to the Broader Sustainable Impact Exchange Gathering
      After lunch, SLF participants join a larger group of venue operators and clubs for an afternoon of regional collaboration, practical tools, and shared inspiration.

Sustainable Impact Exchange: Join a broader gathering of regional venue operators, clubs, and strategic leaders for an afternoon of collaboration and actionable tools.

  • Lunch

  • Afternoon Content

  • Networking & Drinks

Various transit options from Liverpool back to Manchester provided.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Explore Your Accommodation Options

This invite-only event is complimentary for all confirmed attendees, including full access to programming, workshops, venue experiences, and hosted meals. A hotel block has been secured at a nearby property for your convenience (more information upon registration). While we’ve made the arrangements, attendees will be responsible for booking and covering the cost of their own accommodations within the block.

All other aspects of the experience—content, meals, site visits, and access to the concert—are covered by GOAL. You’ll simply need to arrange and cover your travel to/from Manchester, UK.

Dress Code

Business casual, come as you are.

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April 4

GOAL Best Practices Clinic at UBS Arena
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July 24

GOAL Sustainable Impact Exchange