Changemakers - Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Save the Date for Changemakers 2026!

Thursday, October 1, 2026

M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders is Maryland LCV’s signature event.

Every year, we bring together 400 of Maryland’s most influential elected officials, business leaders, non-profit partners, and environmental advocates for an inspiring program, celebratory awards presentation, and a must-attend networking reception. Changemakers is the place to build community, foster collaboration, and drive progress for environmental solutions. Event proceeds support Maryland LCV’s work for equitable and just political actions for clean water, healthy air and climate resilient communities.

Sponsorships and tickets are now available! Secure yours today to join us for one of the most highly anticipated environmental events of the year.

Sponsorship Opportunities

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Attendee Information

Tickets

Changemakers tickets are now available!

Individual tickets are $200. Tickets for young professionals (21-30) are $100. Sponsorships and ticket sales are non-refundable.

All guests must pre-purchase a ticket and be pre-registered. Upon arrival at the event, you will check-in at the registration table for your name badge.

Closed captioning will be available for the program.

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FAQs

Where is the event?

M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
401 W Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Learn more about the venue

Directions

What is the timeline of the event?

5:30pm – Doors open and welcome cocktails served
6:00pm – Program including awards presentation and panel discussion
7:00pm – Networking reception with appetizers and beverages
9:00pm – Event concludes

What if I need to change my ticket?

Changemakers sponsorships and ticket sales are non-refundable. In the event we need to cancel the Changemakers event, due to health, safety, weather, or other conditions outside of our control, the event will not be rescheduled. Changemakers sponsorships and ticket sales support the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Inc., a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. A gift to Maryland LCV is not tax-deductible as a charitable donation.

I bought a ticket but can no longer attend. Can someone else use my ticket?

Yes. You may transfer your ticket to someone else, or you can donate your ticket(s) to the All-Access Fund, which enables frontline and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community members, social justice leaders, local environmentalists, business owners, and partner organizations to attend the Changemakers event. Please email us at changemakers@mdlcv.org. If transferring your ticket to someone else, please provide their full name and email address. All attendees must be pre-registered.

What is the dress code?

Business cocktail attire is recommended for this event.

Where do I park?

Paid parking is available in the Baltimore Grand Garage at 5 North Paca Street. The Grand Garage is connected to the venue; take the Fayette Street side elevators directly into the Hippodrome lobbies and look for signs for the M&T Bank Exchange. The garage is open 24/7 and has ADA spaces and EV charging stations available. Payment is credit card only.

Baltimore Grand Garage
5 North Paca Street
Baltimore MD, 21201

Directions

More information

Additional paid parking is located nearby at:

Atrium Parking
308 West Fayette Street
Baltimore MD, 21201

Is there a bike rack nearby?

What’s to eat/drink?

There will be an array of delicious appetizers available during the reception, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. A full menu will be available closer to the event. There will be a full bar with beer, wine, signature cocktails, and soft drinks.

What’s to eat/drink?

There will be an array of delicious appetizers available during the reception, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Stationary Appetizers

Hot Maryland Crab Dip [gf] – offered with Old Bay kettle chips [gf, vg] and toasted baguette [vg]
Sagamore Rye French Onion Dip [vt] – offered with Old Bay kettle chips [gf, vg] and toasted baguette [vg]
Brown Sugar Old Bay Cocktail Impossible Meatballs [vg]
Seasonal Vegetables – with Green Goddess dip [gf, vg]
Gluten-free rice crackers available with all appetizers

Passed Appetizers

Parmesan Arancini – with sundried tomato aioli [vt]
Smoked Cauliflower Soup [gf, vg] – offered with cheddar cheese pastry straw [vt]
Elote Cup – street corn salad with vegan cheese, crema, and cilantro [vg]
Shrimp and Grits Spoon [gf]
Mini Duck Flatbread – with arugula gremolata and date syrup

Short Plate Stations

Blackened Chesapeake Catfish Tacos – with charred corn, avocado, and crema
Spring Vegetable Ratatouille – over parmesan polenta [gf, vt]
Fried Mushroom Po-Boy Slider – with shredded lettuce, pickles, and spicy aioli, served with sweet potato fries [vg]

Signature Cocktail

Changemakers Mover & Shaker – Vodka or bourbon, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer served over ice and garnished with a lime wedge and fresh mint

What accessibility accommodations are available?

Maryland LCV strives to make our events accessible to those who want to attend. This event meets the following Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards:

Accessible restrooms
Mainly flat ground
Dedicated seating
Wide doorways and walkways
Handicap accessible parking (available in the Baltimore Grand Garage)

In addition, we are providing live closed captioning for the program. Straws will be available at the bar.

To request additional accommodations (language interpretation, dietary considerations, etc.), please contact Shivaugn Ahern, Maryland LCV Managing Director of Operations, at sahern@mdlcv.org or 410-280-9855 at least one week prior to the event to request accommodations in order for you to fully participate in our event. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.

Additional FAQs

2025 Panel Discussion

The Importance of State Leadership in Protecting Maryland’s Environment

Josh Kurtz

Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Vernice Miller-Travis

Executive Vice President for Environmental and Social Justice, Metropolitan Group

The Honorable John Sarbanes

Retired U.S. Representative of Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District

Kate Stewart

President, Montgomery County Council

As federal protections face significant setbacks, state leadership for our environment is more important than ever before. This panel explores how Maryland can continue to lead the way through advancing policies that protect our environment, grow our economy, and build climate resilient and thriving communities. From climate action to environmental justice, panelists will discuss how individuals, communities and all levels of government can support environmental sustainability and economic prosperity and ensure no one is left behind.

2026 Honorees

John V. Kabler Environmental Leadership Award

U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer

Congressman Hoyer will be honored for his lifelong public service in protecting Maryland’s environment in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Maryland General Assembly. Throughout his career, Hoyer has fought tirelessly to restore the Chesapeake Bay, defend environmental safeguards and advance strong environmental policy. While representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District, Hoyer has supported every major piece of environmental legislation and has co-sponsored numerous bills to protect and restore the Bay and its tributaries, including the “Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act.” As the House Majority Leader, Hoyer played a central leadership role in passing the single greatest climate bill in history–the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Congressman Hoyer’s leadership has helped secure crucial funding for Maryland’s waterways, air, and public green spaces. Maryland LCV celebrates his career and wishes him the very best in retirement.

Climate Champion Award

Howard County Office of Community Sustainability

The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability will be awarded in recognition of its outstanding leadership advancing clean energy. Howard County is a leader among local governments, both in Maryland and nationwide, in developing and deploying clean energy to significantly reduce pollution and save residents money. It established a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan in 2023 which focuses on emission reduction, increasing resiliency and environmental equity. In the three years since, Howard County has increased solar energy by 67 percent from 108 megawatts to 180 megawatts. Today, over half of the local government’s electricity comes from clean solar power. As the first jurisdiction in Maryland to become a community solar developer, Howard County will bring discounted solar energy to low- and moderate-income households. Howard County has set a valuable example for other jurisdictions looking to advance clean energy for the benefit of their communities.

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Headquartered in Maryland, Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing community-scale energy projects, with a focus on distributed solar and energy storage.

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☀️ Solar Champions ☀️

As a leader in Maryland’s solar energy industry, our Presenting Sponsor, Chaberton Energy, has brought together a collaborative of solar companies supporting Maryland LCV and this year’s Changemakers event. These companies are playing a vital role in building Maryland’s clean energy future. By sponsoring Changemakers, the members of the solar collaborative are demonstrating the importance of partnership in our shared work to create a healthy environment for everyone in Maryland.