With the changing of the leaves and the influx of cooler weather on Columbia Business School’s (CBS’s) campus comes a series of student-run conferences that give both first- and second-year CBS students the opportunity to expand their knowledge across a variety of disciplines via panels keynote speaker addresses and to network with like-minded students, conference sponsors (who are often also big CBS recruiters) and even industry professionals. Today is the popular Social Enterprise Conference, during which speakers will discuss education reform, green technology and health care reform, among other issues. Keynote speakers include Peter Blom, CEO of Triodos Bank; Robert A. Annibale, global director of microfinance for Citigroup; and Dr. Rajiv Shah, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
The Marketing Association of Columbia (MAC) Conference follows in early November and, like the Social Enterprise Conference, usually offers a packed house. This year, the MAC Conference will focus on the brand experience elevated, enhanced and personalized for today’s mindful consumer. Also in November is the CBS Healthcare Conference, featuring Daniel Vasella, chairman for Novartis AG; Eric Silfen, SVP and chief medical officer of Philips Healthcare; and Paul H. Keckley, Ph.D., executive director for the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. (The conference season continues into the second semester and features the popular India Business Conference and the Columbia Women in Business Conference.)
CBS often touts its New York Advantage—students have the business world right at the school’s door, ripe for exploration. Still, this advantage does not mean that CBS neglects to bring the business world to its students.
For more information on CBS or 13 other leading MBA programs, check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guides.