We hope that most, if not all of you, are familiar with our annual conference, where student and professional leaders come together to tackle the world’s toughest social and environmental problems. Conferences are fantastic immersive experiences that build community, provide inspiration, and create a space for learning and problem-solving. In this post, we’d like to share some of our chapters that brought their 'A' game by hosting their own local and regional conferences.
Chapter-led conference
Conferences provide a valuable platform for experts and future leaders to come together to educate one another and to develop innovative ideas. This past year, Duke University - Fuqua School of Business' graduate chapter hosted their 10th annual Sustainable Business and Social Impact Conference with the theme "A Decade of Ideas, A Lifetime of Action." The largest student-led conference at the business school drew 500 attendees interested in learning about opportunities to make transformational and sustainable change through business. The conference included keynote speakers, alumni speakers, and panels on topics such as CSR, education, global health, and sustainability.
Collaborative career summit
Hosting a conference with other Net Impact chapters in your region attracts attendees from a larger base of interested students and professionals, and promotes invaluable networking opportunities. The Net Impact Boston Career Summit is an annual conference co-hosted by the Boston professional chapter and graduate chapters around the Boston metro area, including Babson College, Boston College, Boston University, Clark University, Northeastern University, Simmons College, Tufts University, and Brandeis University. The summit attracts individuals interested in a career with positive environmental or social impact. In addition to an expo, the summit offers panels on topics such as cause marketing, impact investing, and sustainable product design, and a feature workshop on collaborative intrapreneurship. Read more about what makes Boston’s Career Summit unique.
Locally-minded food fair
Hosting a conference with groups outside of the chapter network, whether they’re local businesses or on-campus organizations, is a great way to expand the reach of Net Impact to a variety of audiences. Temple University’s undergraduate chapter held their second annual Fair Foods Fair, which brought over 20 food-related organizations with a social mission to campus (as well as a chance to try their delectable menu offerings)! The event educated students on the importance of sustainable foods in their community, raised awareness for local, socially-responsible businesses, and provided a venue for business and students to network.
If your chapter is interested in organizing a conference on your campus or in your local community, we would be happy to discuss potential ideas and strategies with you. Contact us at chapters@netimpact.org!
