B Corp Champions Retreat 2026

Hello, it’s me! Denise at B Lab. Fellow Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, you’re invited to meet up ahead of the opening ceremony. This event will immediately precede the Opening Reception, and will be held in the Floral Show Dome at the Mitchell Domes. Let’s get this party started right! 

What to expect:

• Sounds by DJ

• Snacks

• Complimentary non alcoholic beverages

• Complimentary beer/wine ticket

• Cocktails for purchase

Complimentary shuttles will be provided and begin departing from the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee lobby at 5:00pm. You are also welcome to arrive on your own, please enter through the main entrance at the Mitchell Domes.

Champions Retreat attendees with children are encouraged to arrive early and visit the Mitchell Park Domes ahead of the main group arrival, for a special hour designed just for families. Children can enjoy a special hands-on experience in the Education Center, featuring interactive activities and the chance to see the resident dart frogs. The Children’s Education Center at the Mitchell Park Domes is a hands-on learning space designed to spark curiosity about the natural world in young visitors. It serves as an interactive extension of the Domes’ broader mission to connect the community with nature through engaging educational experiences.

Purpose and experience
The center is built specifically for children of all ages, offering a welcoming environment where families can explore plants, ecosystems, and environmental science in an accessible way. Together, these elements create an informal learning environment that complements the Domes’ tropical, desert, and floral displays.

What families can expect 

• Interactive, hands-on exhibits focused on nature and the environment 
• Themed displays 
• Live educational features (such as the center’s dart frog habitat) 
• Self-guided tour sheets of the Mitchell Park Domes 

Complimentary shuttles will be provided and begin departing from the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee lobby at 5:00pm. You are also welcome to arrive on your own, please enter through the main entrance at the Mitchell Domes.

Join us for an inspiring evening as we kick off the Champions Retreat 2026 with this gathering at Milwaukee's iconic Mitchell Park Domes, a living plant museum with a permanent collection of over 1,800 plant species that represent plant life from across the globe. Attendees will have access to explore the Domes complex throughout the evening — including the Floral Show Dome, Tropical Dome, and Desert Dome, and Greenhouse No. 7. In the myriad of beautiful and vibrant natural spaces within the Domes, we'll connect, celebrate, and set the tone for a transformative few days together.

Be sure to arrive by 7pm in Greenhouse No. 7 to enjoy our evening program, as we are honored to feature Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru as our keynote speaker. Wawa is a dynamic climate justice activist, writer and storyteller, and founder and Executive Director of Black Girl Environmentalist, an organization dedicated to addressing the pathway and retention issue in the climate movement for Black girls, women, and gender-expansive people. Wawa has been recognized globally for her leadership and visionary work in expanding access and opportunity within the climate movement. Her voice has resonated across major academic and cultural platforms. Her keynote will ignite our imaginations around what is possible when we work together - exploring how individual and collective action within the B Corp movement can catalyze waves of impact across communities and systems. Expect a message of courage, connection, and forward-looking purpose to launch Champions Retreat with vision, energy and intention.

Come ready to meet fellow B Corps and values-aligned attendees, share your stories, and begin the retreat with community, inspiration, and momentum. This evening is brought to you by our Presenting Sponsor, Tru Earth.

Buses begin departing from the lobby at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee beginning at 6 p.m. If arriving on your own, please follow signs to enter through the side entrance at Greenhouse No. 7.

Want to keep the energy going? Head over to the lobby bar at Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel for live music and visual art in one of Milwaukee’s most inspiring interior spaces. Grab a drink, connect with fellow Champions, and soak in the vibe as the night continues. This is an informal, self-hosted event. Come and go as you please, and let the conversations and creativity flow.

Family hour from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

This event requires separate registration, and the RSVP list is currently at capacity. If you would like to connect with Beneficial State Bank at Champions Retreat, please email [email protected] and a member of their B Team will be in touch.

Join Beneficial State Bank for an informal evening of connection, conversation, and community as we share how each of us can bank on our values. Enjoy drinks, light appetizers, and B Corp–inspired giveaways in a relaxed riverfront setting.

This gathering will take place on Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 PM at Lakefront Brewery, one hour before the B Together event begins. Space is limited, RSVP is required, and this event is at capacity.

As a proud B Corp bank since 2012 and a long‑time supporter of the B Corp community, we believe deeply in the impact we can create when we come together. We look forward to raising a glass with you.

Please note: This event requires separate registration.

PolicyLink, Groundwater Institute, and B Lab U.S. & Canada invite you to join fellow leaders to connect, align, and begin shaping the collective action this moment demands.

Built for All Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 22 | 6:00 - 7:30pm CT
Location shared upon registration

The venue is just a 5-minute walk from Lakefront Brewery, where other evening festivities are being held. Please bring your Champions Retreat badge for entry. Space is limited and registration is required.

Let’s continue the fun and celebration! Join us for our B Together party at Lakefront Brewery to celebrate the spirit and diversity of the local B Corp community. Enjoy food, drinks, and a lively band while overlooking the Milwaukee River. This evening is sponsored by Beneficial State Bank, with a generous contribution of beer from Lakefront Brewery. We hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out the pre-events (Family Hour and Beneficial Happy Hour) and AnAfterparty of Pride, Power and Presence also at Lakefront Brewery. Put on your dancing shoes, come hungry and ready to party!

Shuttles will begin departing from the Hyatt Regency lobby starting at 5:15pm for the pre-events and will depart on a rolling basis.

Please RSVP here.

Stick around after the B Together Party at Lakefront Brewery for a euphoric expression of culture and creativity showcasing Milwaukee's Ballroom community, hosted by B Proud (B Lab U.S. & Canada's 2SLGBTQIA+ Affinity Network).

We will be raising funds throughout the night for the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. This is a great opportunity to support a local grassroots organization doing essential work to support the queer community.

Since 1997, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center has been nurturing an inclusive, diverse, healthy, and safe LGBTQ+ community in meeting their basic needs: food, clothing, hygiene and mental health. They do this by offering tangible resources like a food pantry, a gender affirming clothing boutique, personal care items, and an array of mental health supports and activities.

What is a Ballroom Showcase? A ballroom showcase is an event where house members perform and compete in expressive categories, celebrating culture, identity, and talent in front of an audience. Come see some of Milwaukee’s House and Ballroom community members showcase their talents with night of fun.

What is House and Ballroom? House and Ballroom is a cultural community where chosen families (“houses”) compete in expressive performance events (“balls”), rooted in LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx history.

This event is designed to be welcoming, accessible, and affirming for all.

Accessibility considerations may include:

• Step-free access and clear wayfinding
• Microphone use, visible performers, and thoughtful pacing
• Gender-inclusive restrooms

Community guidelines will center respect, consent, and care.