34th global Graduate Business Conference | 24 - 28 May, 2017 

Register Here

The Graduate Business Conference (GBC) is the only annual, global Business School and MBA student leadership conference in the world. The GBC has been held annually, since 1983, when it was first hosted by Columbia Business School in New York.

The GBC brings together leaders to share common challenges and best practices, enhance (student) leadership potential, discuss solutions & positive impact to business education and society, while creating a strong & lifelong network among the participants. 

The Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to network with incoming and outgoing student leaders & social entrepreneurs from the 70+ top Business Schools around the world, alumni from the past 30+ years of Graduate Business Conferences and learn from thought-leaders in business, government, from writers, social entrepreneurs, impact investors.

Theme GBC2017
The theme to be explored this year is “Business 4 Good: The Ultimate Challenge".

Dates
The official keynote/ opening address is on Thursday May 25 in morning. On Wednesday May 24 delegates are welcomed for social activities and networking pre-conference to adjust to Hong Kong timezone and the fantastic city. On Sunday May 28 there is an optional tour.

 The Conference Delegate Fee of US$200 (US$150 early-bird) includes attendance & access to:

• Exclusive conference with seminar and workshops designed for student leaders
• Access to high-level speeches and speakers
• GBF-only networking opportunities
• Global GBCi2 Impact Investing Competition Finale
• Breakfasts, lunches, coffee and snacks all 3 conference days
• Thursday Conference Dinner (dresscode: informal) 
• Friday Awards Banquet Dinner and Gala (dresscode: formal, black tie)

The Conference Fee does not include:

• Accommodation costs. Delegates have the option of staying in university housing (limited availability, registration on a first-come first-served basis/ shared bathrooms) or stay at one of the hotels selected by the Conference Organizers for their good quality. Please indicate preference during the registration process.  
• Travel costs

For more information, please check out our Conference FAQ.

Program and speakers:

The program and speakers will be announced closer to the date.To give you an idea of what you can expect, contact the GBC alumni of your school and/ or view below.

Speakers at prior conferences have included:

• HRH Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark
• President Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States
• President S.R. Nathan, President of Singapore
• Christoph Franz, Chairman of Roche, former CEO Lufthansa
• Michael Dell, President and CEO of Dell Computers
• John Pepper, CEO of Procter & Gamble
• Harish Manwani, COO of Unilever 
• Massimo Muzzi, Vice President Robotics of ABB
• John Plender, Senior Editor of Financial Times and Columnist for The Economist 
• Stephan Chambers, Chair Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Director International Strategy, University of Oxford, Said Business School
• Dr. Julia Balandina, Author of "Guide To Impact Investing for Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals" & Sr Adviser, Member of the Advisory Board (Sustainable Sourcing) and Investment Committee, Unilever 

Student Leadership Best Practice Workshops have included:

• Influencing and working with your School Administration
• Team Structure, Budget, Annual Planning
• Successful Alumni Engagement
• Executive Board Transition
• Career Services
• Student Engagement
• Leadership Development
• Setting up Successful businesses/ non-profits/ community initiatives
• Amongst others

To keep up-to-date about the latest GBC2017 news, join us on social media:

• GBC2017 Facebook page 
• Graduate Business Forum LinkedIn group
• Graduate Business Forum Twitter (#GBC2017)

We look forward to meeting you and hosting you at the CUHK Business School, China University of Hong Kong for the 34th annual Graduate Business Conference in 2017!

Wieteke Dupain,
CEO, Graduate Business Forum                                                                             

Shin Szedlak, 
VP, Graduate Business Forum

Jay Yoo
Chair & Project Director GBC2017 Committee, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Watch these GBC2016 teaser movies to get in the mood now! 

Check out what previous student attendees had to say:

“One of the speakers, Jeff Hoffman, said it best, ‘This conference is why people go to business school.’ The GBC is invaluable, as there is no equivalent to it in the ‘real world’. Think of what could get accomplished if the top 40 CEOs in the Fortune 500 got together for a conference to not only discuss global issues but, in addition, share best practices on how to run their business most succesfully.” 
– Ishan Bhaumik, MIT – Sloan School of Management

 "What the GBF facilitated was an opportunity for some of the most engaged and community-focused leaders in today's MBA programs to come together to build an entirely different network that goes far beyond the reach of any given school's alumni population. The connection with motivated, enthusiastic, involved, brilliant people who truly want to shape the future of our world - through shared experiences with thought-provoking speakers, in facilitated sessions, and informal conversations -  was inspiring and life-changing." 
– Virginia Kane, University of New South Wales – Australian Graduate School of Management

“Rarely will someone have the chance to sit in a room with so many impressive people so early in their careers. The common experiences, the sharing of best practices, and the camaraderie built is invaluable. The experience in itself is once in a lifetime; the relationships built will last a lifetime.”
– Steve Gohde, Emory University – Goizueta Business School

“The GBC was a terrific experience! I gained valuable insight into various strategies in operating a high quality MBA organization. This included everything from academics, career services, donations, administration, knowledge management, structure, charity and social events, etc. In addition, I developed a close network of other top leaders within elite MBA programs across the globe. I look forward to staying involved with the GBF throughout my career. The value proposition and potential of this organization is astounding.”
– Matt Gillim, Michigan State University – Broad College of Business

“I was very impressed by the instant sense of community among the representatives. There were no airs of pretention and everyone was interested in sharing and helping each other. As a result, I think everyone took a tremendous amount of knowledge from the conference and in the very least we all know that we have “friends in the business” across the world.”
– Robert Heffner, Case Western Reserve University – Weatherhead School of Management

“A highly useful set of best practices for running a student board at a business school, and a good network of contacts that will be useful both in serving as a leader on the student board and after in my professional career. The leadership speakers and workshops were also helpful in my continued leadership development activities.”
– George Gordon, Dartmouth College – Tuck School of Business

“The Graduate Business Conference is an invaluable event that allows student leadership to learn with and from each other. The lasting connections made over the conference create an important support system that can be used over the school year to constantly add value and help create engaging learning experiences.”
– Edward M. Jacobs, Washington University in St. Louis – Olin Business School

“I was exposed to solutions to problems that I hadn’t even recognized existed in our program. The caliber of people is beyond compare. Never before have I been around so many high performing, generous, humble, and talented leaders. It is overwhelming and you can’t help but come away with a desire to become a better person.”
– David Bjerkek, University of Western Ontario – Ivey School of Business

“The GBC is not only a meeting place for young, talented leaders, but is also a place where daily student issues are put on the agenda, discussed and knowledge is exchanged in order to improve student life at the best business schools in the world.”
– Andreas Moe Jørgensen – Copenhagen Business School

Check out what previous alumni attendees had to say:

Amazing conference where the GBF manages to get together under one roof the leaders of the top global business schools. There is no better place to update your business skills and improve your networking.
 

Each GBC gathering is a learning experience. Not only for profesional knowledge but also for personal growth. The summit is an opportunity for possible business connection and to meet friends from a diverse background of culture and working perspective. I always leave with energy and inspirations after few conference days.
 

It has been so inspiring to meet up with the GBF alumni. The energy at this event is incredible, and I felt a part of something unique.  The sessions at the alumni summit opened my eyes to opportunities to lead a better life.

Excellent conference with plenty of opportunity to meet, share, and connect with young, passionate and experienced global leaders!  Fun and energizing at the same time!
 

To see and feel the engagement among delegates, alumni and organizers makes GBC an event without much comparison.  It is inspirational, engaging, innovative and thoughtful - all with loads of fun and compassion.
 

GBF is an excellent forum to find people with your same interests and share enriching experiences.  I really enjoy the opportunity of encountering some delegates and now talk not only about the MBA/school, but also about work & personal projects.  It is helping (to) create a bond: a great, strong & global network that can be present in our daily lives.
 

Each year I have attended an alumni summit I applaud the vision and drive of the host schools, not to mention the sheer joy of seeing delegates from all over the world share, discuss and learn from each other. I sincerely hope to continue to attend the alumni summits, thereby being part of this amazing experience. Ohh did I mention the parties.. ; )

In the words of GBC's founder Jim Deveau: 'Keep the dream alive and bear it to heart!'  Well that’s how I remember it.