Mayor Kasim Reed and the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA®) announced the organization’s 33rd Annual Conference & Exposition will be held Tuesday, October 4 through Saturday, October 8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The nation’s largest African American business and professional conference and exposition will draw an audience of more than 12,000 executives, entrepreneurs, students, and more than 350 corporations and public sector organizations looking to hire MBA graduates, seasoned professionals, and interns for available positions across the country.
“Make no mistake about it. Events like the National Black MBA Association’s 33rd Annual Conference and Exposition help make the City of Atlanta better,” said Mayor Reed. “They bring energy, creativity and the fresh ideas of future leaders to our city.”
He added: “Atlanta is a proven leader in economic and business development. The metro area is home to ten Fortune 500 companies. We are the leading global city in the southeast, and the opportunities here for small, urban, minority and women-owned businesses are unparalleled.”
Designed to promote education, leadership, and economic growth amongst its membership, the NBMBAA conference will provide the tools to ensure that individuals and business owners are uniquely prepared and positioned to capitalize on new opportunities as the U.S. begins a slow economic recovery from a devastating recession.
“Our most valuable assets are our members. That's why this year's conference theme, PowerUp Your Profitability, focuses on building the strengths and talents of our members so they can be even greater contributors to the global community,” said NBMBAA President and CEO Kimberly Corbin.
Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the conference are Geri Thomas, senior vice president, Global Diversity & Inclusion Executive for the Atlanta Market and Georgia State President for Bank of America and Harold Ford, Jr., managing director and senior client manager for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
Stephen Covey, New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust, a groundbreaking and paradigm-shifting book, is set to deliver a dynamic keynote address on Wednesday, October 5. Renowned Grammy® recording artist and international philanthropist John Legend will give the keynote remarks at the Keynote Luncheon on Friday, October 7.
A free Town Hall, open to the public, on Thursday, October 6, will explore the impact of the entertainment industry on the next generation.
Sponsors of this year’s conference and exposition include Chrysler, Dell, Deloitte, Delta, FedEx, Genentech, Humana, IBM, MassMutual, Nationwide, Pitney Bowes, State Farm, United Healthcare, Vanguard, and Wells Fargo.
Other highly anticipated programming will include:
· Leaders of Tomorrow®--hundreds of enterprising high school students mentored through local NBMBAA chapters will meet in Atlanta to focus on excellence during this intense four-day conference, when they will work with the country’s most accomplished personal and professional development coaches and trainers to help them develop the habits necessary to chart a course towards their goals. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn the secrets of success directly from the best – hearing from high-level corporate executives, public officials, and thought leaders and networking with thousands of National Black MBA Association members.
· Entrepreneurial Institute– offering professional development and networking opportunities to aspiring and current business owners, thought a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking forums.
· Innovation Whiteboard Challenge (Institutes Breakfast)—Five people will have five minutes each to sell their business idea to a panel of venture capitalists, academic instructors and successful entrepreneurs – using only a whiteboard and marker. The winner will receive $10,000.
· Leadership Institute—an executive development program with courses for experienced managers and high potential employees taught by credentialed and experienced faculty.
· Career Fair & Exposition, featuring the NBMBAA Career Success Network Center® and Employment Network®. – job and franchise opportunities available from more than 350 Blue Chip corporations. A must-do activity for anyone serious about succeeding in a tough and competitive environment.
· NBMBAA Case Competition® – Teams of graduate business students will compete for up to $15,000 and employment opportunities.
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