Sherrif Karamat, CAE, president & CEO, PCMA and CEMA announced the inaugural Convene 4 Climate (C4C) Global Awards, a global competition designed to recognize and elevate real-world solutions driving sustainable transformation across the business events industry. The competition was revealed during the 4th Global Forum of National Convention Bureaux, which was held May 18, 2026 at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel.

More than an accolade, the C4C Global Awards create a platform for leadership, collaboration, and legacy — spotlighting those setting new benchmarks and turning business events into a powerful driver of sustainable change. The awards celebrate bold innovators, organizations, and leaders who are redefining how events are designed, delivered, and experienced to create lasting social and environmental impact.

Karamat noted, “The C4C Global Awards are about more than recognition — they are about elevating solutions that are critical to reshaping and protecting the future of the global business events industry. We are calling on changemakers who are moving beyond promises to bold, practical approaches that can be scaled, replicated, and embedded across business events worldwide to deliver real, measurable impact.”

The submission process is complimentary and will remain open through June 30, 2026.

Award categories include:

• Human Impact Award — honoring organizations that have redesigned the human element of events through neuro-inclusive design, behavioral innovation, or community-centered hosting models that create measurable shifts in attendee mindsets.
• Technology for Climate Award — recognizing the boldest integration of technology to decarbonize the event lifecycle, including AI-driven tools, carbon-negative materials, innovative energy use, or supply chain transparency.
• Trailblazer Award — celebrating an individual leader or disruptor who has used their platform to transform the business events industry through policy influence, mentorship, or progress toward net-zero goals.
• Impact Event Award — recognizing events that set the benchmark for sustainable business practices with an intentional focus on people, planet, and profit.

Finalists will be invited to attend Convene 4 Climate in Lisbon on September 16, 2026, where they will participate in a live pitch competition. Winners will present their solutions at Convening Leaders 2027 in Miami.