EarthX today announced its three-night flagship banquet series for Earthx2026, a three-day Congress of Conferences taking place in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole on April 20–22, 2026. Focused on environmental storytelling, capital markets, and international governance, the evening programs reflect a central theme: meaningful environmental change now sits at the intersection of influence, investment, and leadership. Honorees include Ed Begley Jr. for environmental advocacy through culture and Sylvia Earle for ocean exploration and conservation.
DALLAS, TX (April 7, 2026) — EarthX today announced its three-night flagship banquet series for Earthx2026, a three-day Congress of Conferences taking place in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole on April 20–22, 2026. Focused on environmental storytelling, capital markets, and international governance, the evening programs reflect a central theme: meaningful environmental change now sits at the intersection of influence, investment, and leadership. Honorees include Ed Begley Jr. for environmental advocacy through culture and Sylvia Earle for ocean exploration and conservation.
"Meaningful environmental progress requires more than science and policy; it needs storytellers, artists, and public voices to make the issues tangible," said EarthX CEO Peter Simek. "Our honorees demonstrate the power of storytelling, exploration, and investment to engage people, protect ecosystems, and accelerate sustainable change. They are outstanding examples of how culture, advocacy, and influence can move hearts and markets alike, inspiring action for a healthier planet."
The Earth Ambassador Award: Storytelling, Culture, and the Power to Inspire
On April 20, 2026, the opening night is devoted to the cultural dimension of environmental progress, exploring how storytelling, art, and public imagination shape the way we see, value, and ultimately protect the natural world. The Earth Ambassador Award honors individuals who have used the power of storytelling, art, entertainment, and culture to move hearts toward the planet, transforming audiences into advocates and awareness into action. As the awards' inaugural recipient, Ed Begley Jr. was selected for his decades-long commitment to environmental stewardship, expressed through humor, authenticity, and lived example to help redefine what it means to lead by influence.
Through a curated program of humor, music, and conversation, the evening invites guests to consider a defining question for the next era of environmental leadership: who tells the story of our future, and what kind of future are we willing to imagine? The evening will feature:
- A welcome from emcee Torrei Hart
- A musical interlude from Jeff "Skunk" Baxter
- Program and presentation remarks from Ed Begley Jr.
- A fireside keynote conversation with Ed and Rachelle Carson Begley, moderated by Raha Dixon, exploring the role of storytelling, culture, and personal example in shaping a more hopeful, connected future
The 2026 EarthX Awards: Leadership, Capital, and the Future in Action
The second evening on April 21, 2026, is dedicated to leaders, institutions, and innovators actively shaping the future of the global economy. The EarthX Awards recognize those who are not simply participating in this transition but defining it. From early-stage entrepreneurs to global investors, from corporate innovators to ocean pioneers, the evening honors a spectrum of leadership united by a shared conviction: that environmental progress and economic growth are not opposing forces but increasingly aligned.
The 2026 Sylvia Earle Ocean Protectors Prize will honor Sylvia Earle for a lifetime of leadership in ocean exploration and advocacy, recognizing those dedicated to protecting the planet's most vital and least understood ecosystem.
The EarthX Awards Program features:
- A tightly paced recognition of leadership across sectors with brief remarks from each honoree
- Winners announcements for the E-Capital Summit Climate Tech Prize and the Ocean Exchange Pitch Competition Prize
- Presentation of the Woofus Award honoring individuals whose commitment and generosity have sustained EarthX since its earliest days
- A musical performance from Ryan Berg from The Voice
- The EarthX Brand Hero Awards celebrating ten companies across industries highlighting how sustainability, operational excellence, and competitive advantage are increasingly inseparable
Leadership and Legacy: Governing the Future of a Shared Planet
On April 22, 2026, the final evening will close Earthx2026 with an intimate gathering focused on the role of leadership in an era defined by geopolitical tension, economic realignment, and shared environmental risk. As North America prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a rare moment of continental visibility and cooperation, the region finds itself navigating a more complex landscape: evolving trade relationships, shifting supply chains, rising energy demand, and the urgent need to manage land, water, and resources across borders. The evening is an invitation to consider the future of North American leadership, and the broader role of cooperation, diplomacy, and shared ambition in shaping what comes next.
The EarthX Presidential Dinner will feature a fireside conversation with Former President Felipe Calderón of Mexico, whose leadership sat at the intersection of energy policy, economic development, and international cooperation. Drawing on his experience, the conversation will explore the realities of governing across borders, how to align growth with sustainability, navigate political and economic constraints, and identify where meaningful collaboration remains possible in a fragmented world.
The evening will feature:
- A musical performance from Isolde Fair
- A featured fireside conversation with Former President Felipe Calderón of Mexico offering a candid discussion on leadership, governance, and the future of environmental and economic policy
- A closing reflection with an Earth Day toast
Since 2011, Earthx2026 has gathered leading voices from across the environmental spectrum to examine how innovation, markets, and culture can define the next chapter of environmental leadership. Now in its 15th year, this event brings together policymakers, investors, scientists, business leaders, artists, technologists, and civic leaders to move beyond debate and toward pragmatic, scalable action that supports both human prosperity and planetary health. This nonpartisan convening will offer an honest environment to identify common ground solutions that align incentives – not ideology – and set a course towards a healthy and flourishing future for the planet.
Registration is now open at https://earthx.org/earthx2026/tickets/.
About EarthX
EarthX is an international nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to educating and inspiring people and organizations to take action towards a more sustainable future worldwide. EarthX is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. Founded in 2011 as Earth Day Dallas by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration, and community-driven sustainable solutions. EarthX presents ideas, initiatives, and actions from some of the world's best minds and most active participants in sustainability and conservation to audiences around the globe through livestream programming and in-person events. Learn more: EarthX.org
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"Meaningful environmental progress requires more than science and policy; it needs storytellers, artists, and public voices to make the issues tangible. Our honorees demonstrate the power of storytelling, exploration, and investment to engage people, protect ecosystems, and accelerate sustainable change. They are outstanding examples of how culture, advocacy, and influence can move hearts and markets alike, inspiring action for a healthier planet."
— EarthX CEO Peter Simek
About EarthX
EarthX is an international nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to educating and inspiring people and organizations to take action towards a more sustainable future worldwide. EarthX is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. Founded in 2011 as Earth Day Dallas by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration, and community-driven sustainable solutions. EarthX presents ideas, initiatives, and actions from some of the world's best minds and most active participants in sustainability and conservation to audiences around the globe through livestream programming and in-person events. Learn more: EarthX.org
