A daylong conference April 20 exploring the international business environment will feature the Rt Hon John Major CH, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as one of its keynote speakers. MBA students in the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis organized the annual International Business Outlook Conference (IBOC), which includes presentations on topics ranging from the global supply chain to business in China.
The conference’s theme this year is “Money/Markets/Methods; How to Succeed in an International Business Environment.” It will provide practical information on how Midwest businesses can operate successfully in the global economy. Individuals, small businesses and large corporations will have the opportunity to learn about the challenges of international business and to gain insight on possible solutions.
“Each part of the day includes discussions that address the three main topics of the conference: money, markets and methods,” says Marla Rappaport, a first-year MBA student student who is in charge of marketing the conference along with Beth Hunsicker and Sam De La Garza. “Breakout sessions will look at how to safely finance a project, what kinds of markets are growing to suit various needs and what methods — or strategies — should organizations develop to be the most successful in a global marketplace.”
The day will wrap-up with a presentation from John Major on how the world business environment is changing. Other keynote speakers include Patrick Stokes, CEO and president of Anheuser-Busch and Richard Mahoney, former CEO of Monsanto and the distinguished executive in residence at the Washington University Executive MBA program.
“In many industries, the only growth is in an international forum and learning from a successful outside source that has paved the way in their industries is extremely valuable,” Rappaport says. “The speakers are hitting on three major functional topics and offering insights into how to be successful on a global scale. The conference allows professionals to network and ask questions they have about international business practices and opportunities.
Moderators for the breakout sessions also feature noted leaders in their fields. For example, Ben Edwards, US Business Editor for The Economist magazine will hold a session on “offshoring.” Paul Contomichalos, founder and chairman of the Chinese-based pharmaceutical firm Profex, Inc will moderate a session called, “Business in China – First Hand From My 10 Years of Experience in China.”
IBOC organizers say the conference is already sold out. This is the third IBOC held at the Olin School and last year’s conference was also sold out.
This year’s sponsors include Emerson, Anheuser-Busch International, Monsanto, The Economist magazine, Edward Jones and the World Trade Center of St. Louis. In addition to the marketing team, organizers include Mike Vitt, Jason Holschen, Carlos Mata, Kelly Ainsworth, Jeff Gunia, Laura Hosteny and Chris Springer.
A day-long conference exploring the international business environment will feature the Rt Hon John Major CH, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as one of its key-note speakers. MBA students in the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis organized the annual International Business Outlook Conference (IBOC), which includes presentations on topics ranging from the global supply chain to business in China.