Graduate Business Conference 2016

The Graduate Business Forum is excited to welcome you as incoming and outgoing MBA student council/ government Presidents and/ or specially selected student leader delegate to join the 2016 Graduate Business Conference (GBC 2016) to be held from April 6-8, 2016 hosted by the University of St. Gallen in St. Gallen, Switzerland. NB: Delegates are expected to arrive on April 5. The official keynote/ welcome address is on April 6 in morning.

The GBC 2016 is the only annual global MBA student leadership conference in the world. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to network, to learn from C-level executives, social entrepreneurs and impact investors and share best practices and inspiration on (student) leadership with incoming and outgoing student leaders from the 50+ top Business Schools globally and peers from the past 30+ years of Graduate Business Conferences, who will be participating in this year’s Alumni Summit.

The theme to be explored this year is “Giving Back: The Responsibility of Future Leaders”.

 The Conference Delegate Fee of US$200 includes attendance & access to:

• Exclusive conference with seminar and workshops designed for student leaders
• Annual Student Leadership Award Banquet attended by delegates, sponsors and special guests
• Access to high-level speeches
• GBF-only networking opportunities
• 3 meals a day and snacks throughout the conference... and much much more!!!

The Conference Fee does not include accommodation costs. Delegates have the option of staying with a university student (limited availability, registration on a first-come first-served basis) or stay at one of the hotels selected by the Conference Organizers for their good quality. Please indicate interest in staying with a university student during the registration process, and should you decide to stay at a hotel, you may register for your stay through this link. For more information, please check out our Conference FAQ.

Current confirmed speakers, amongst others:

• Dr. Falko Paetzold, Initiative for Responsible Investment at Harvard University
• Stephan Chambers, Chair Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Director International Strategy, University of Oxford, Said Business School
• Christoph Franz, Chairman of Roche, former CEO Lufthansa
• Paul Bethke, Co-Founder and CEO of LemonAid Beverages
  
• Sonja Rossteuscher, Former CFO of the African Development Corporation
• John Plender, Senior Editor of Financial Times and Columnist for The Economist 
• Dr. Julia Balandina, Author of the Guide To Impact Investing for Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals. Senior Adviser, Member of the Advisory Board (Sustainable Sourcing) and Investment Committee, Unilever 
• Massimo Muzzi, Vice President Robotics of ABB

Join the GBC2016 Facebook page to keep up-to-date about the latest GBC2016 news.

We look forward to meeting you and hosting you in St. Gallen at GBC 2016!

Wieteke Dupain,
CEO, Graduate Business Forum                                                                             

Varun Mittal, 
Vice President, Graduate Business Forum

Shin Szedlak and Krenare Berisha
Co-Chairpersons, GBC Team, University of St. Gallen

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

Register Now!

Please view more information on the GBC2016 website.

Check out what previous elected student leader attendees had to say:

"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

“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

“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 GBF manages to get together under one roof to the leaders of the top global business schools. There is no better place to update your business skills and improve your networking.
• 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.. ;)
  
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.