The National Black MBA Association, Inc, (NBMBAA) today announced its 34th Annual Conference & Exposition will be held Tuesday, September 25 through Saturday, September 29 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The nation’s largest African American business and professional conference and exposition will draw an audience of more than 8,500 executives, entrepreneurs, and students. The conference also conducts one of the most successful career expositions that attract more than 300 corporations and public sector organizations seeking to hire MBA graduates, seasoned professionals, and interns for available positions across the country.
Designed to promote education, leadership, and economic growth among its membership, the NBMBAA conference will provide the tools to ensure that attendees are uniquely prepared and positioned to capitalize on new opportunities.
“We’re bringing in the best corporate executives and entrepreneurs to provide the most critical tools and access to resources and opportunities to equip our members and others attending the conference with what’s necessary to impact tomorrow,” says NBMBAA’s Kim Wilson, acting president and vp of strategic programming. “Our conference co-chairs, speakers and presenters, dynamic leaders in their respective fields, will be with us in Indianapolis to share their unique perspectives on what’s real in business and what it takes to succeed.”
Serving as honorary co-chairs for the conference are John C. Lechleiter, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Eli Lilly and Company and Jacqueline Carpenter, director of Division I Championships and Alliances for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Mel Parker, vice president and general manager, North America Consumer, Small and Home Office at Dell is set to deliver a dynamic keynote address on Friday, September 28. Gary Muszynski, founder, president, and lead facilitator of One World Music will give the remarks at the Leadership Institute’s Keynote Luncheon on Wednesday, September 26.
Key Sponsors of this year’s conference and exposition include Dell, Marriott, Chrysler, Target, ExxonMobil, Genentech, Wells Fargo, Verizon, Humana, and Wal-Mart.
A Town Hall Luncheon with the Leaders, on Thursday, September 27, will allow attendees to listen as a diverse mix of personalities dine, dish and discuss leadership, community and personal stories. Our invited guests will share sound and sustainable advice and insight on how they were able to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Other highly anticipated programming will include the best in education through powerful, unique and innovative sessions:
• Career Exposition – Job opportunities available from more than 300 Blue Chip corporations. A must-do activity for anyone serious about succeeding in a tough and competitive environment. Held on Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28. Career Exposition Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place Thursday, September 27. The career expo also features the NBMBAA Career Success Network Center® where attendees can receive career, life and executive coaching and the Employment Network® which links corporations with NBMBAA members, diverse MBAs and job seeking candidates through the National Black MBA Association’s on-line job board.
• Leadership Institute – An executive development program with courses for experienced managers and high potential employees taught by credentialed and experienced faculty. Held on Wednesday, September 26
• Leaders of Tomorrow® – Hundreds of enterprising high school students mentored through local NBMBAA chapters will meet in Indianapolis to focus on excellence during this intense four-day conference, where they will work with the country’s most accomplished corporate executives, public officials, and thought leaders to help them develop the leadership traits necessary to chart a course towards their goals. Held on Tuesday- Saturday, September 25 – 29
• Entrepreneurial Institute® – Offering professional development and networking opportunities to aspiring and current business owners, through a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking forums. Held on Wednesday, September 26
• Innovation Whiteboard Challenge® (Entrepreneurial Institute’s Breakfast) – Three people will have five minutes each to sell their business 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. Held on Wednesday, September 26
• NBMBAA Case Competition® – Teams of graduate business students will compete for up to $50,000 and employment opportunities. Held on Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28
• Meet the Experts – 75-minute workshops led by a prominent company that is a leader in its field. The sessions will cover a range of topics and may include industry trends, what employers are looking for in new hires, and best practices for climbing the corporate ladder. Held on Thursday, September 27
Each night after intense, no-nonsense days of learning, attendees can unwind at the various nightlife and lifestyle experiences offered this year, including:
• Welcome Reception – The NBMBAA Welcome Reception kicks off the week with a networking reception themed “An Evening in Casablanca.” Held on Wednesday, September 26
• Indianapolis Chapter Welcome Party – Join the Indianapolis Chapter for their official welcome as host to the conference Indy-style. Held on Wednesday, September 26
• Club MBA – After an intense day of learning and connecting, come to popular Club MBA each evening to unwind and network. Held on Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28
Daily e-blasts and social media updates will keep conference participants engaged and informed. To register for the conference, for more information about the Town Hall, and for a full schedule, please visit http://www.nbmbaaconference2012.org. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nbmbaahq and “Like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nbmbaaHQ.
About the National Black MBA Association Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is dedicated to developing partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth in the black community through its five channels of engagement; education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle. With 45-plus chapters, a membership base of more than 8,000 and more than 450 corporate partners, the NBMBAA provides access to its constituents through services such as the Annual NBMBAA Conference; Local Empowerment Initiatives; and other programs. To learn more about the NBMBAA or to become a member, visit www.nbmbaa.org.