“Connect/Reconnect” will offer information and resources to help attendees survive and thrive in the midst of a changing economy and expanding global marketplace
CHICAGO (Sept. 18, 2009) — The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) will plug in to the energy of change during its 31st annual conference Sept. 22–26 in New Orleans. A city that has established lifelines across the world, with an energy and essence that connects people from all walks of life, New Orleans will provide the perfect backdrop for the NBMBAA and its members, constituents and stakeholders to focus on how to stay connected in the midst of great, challenging and sometimes painful change.
WHAT: National Black MBA Association
31st Annual Conference & Exposition: Connect/Reconnect
WHEN: Sept. 22–26, 2009
WHERE: Ernest Morial Convention Center (www.mccno.com)
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans
Highlights of this year’s program include:
TUESDAY, SEPT. 22
Ø The LOT Golf Tournament (TPC of Louisiana, 11001 Lapalco Blvd., Avondale, La.; 10:30 a.m.), which will raise funds for the New Orleans chapter’s Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) scholarship fund. Visit
www.2009lotgolf.com to register.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23
Ø The NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute, a two-tiered pre-conference bootcamp for aspiring entrepreneurs (startup track) and established businesowners who want to further their reach (growth track); this year’s Institute is the culmination of a yearlong, five-city Entrepreneurial Institute Tour where the organization brought training workshops to entrepreneurs across the country and awarded a participant from each city the opportunity to come to conference and compete for a $10,000 grand prize in the Innovation Whiteboard Challenge. In addition, the Institute luncheon will recognize this year’s NBMBAA/Wells Fargo Entrepreneur Excellence Award winners.
Ø The Leadership Institute, an executive development program for discerning managers and high potential employees that offers cutting-edge courses taught by highly-credentialed and experienced faculty who are privy to the best in current research and thinking on topics such as innovation, competitive strategy, talent and skill development, and performance improvement. This year’s Institute will feature instructors from Harvard University, The Center for Management Research and Target Corporation, among others.
Ø Connect/Reconnect Welcome Reception (6–9 p.m.)
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24
Ø Ride For Success, which will allow students from
Louisiana State University and
Southern University to take a bus to conference for only $20.09, round-trip; students can attend the NBMBAA Career Fair and corporate hospitality suites at no additional charge, and those who are interested in taking the GMAT may register for prep classes. Interested individuals can visit the NBMBAA home page (
www.nbmbaa.org) to register.
Ø Town Hall Meeting: Black Men & Boys (10 a.m.–noon), which will examine the unique position of African-American males with respect to socialization, expectations, education, work environment and other facets. The panel will feature:
· Roland Martin (moderator) — author & journalist ; contributor to CNN, TV ONE and the Tom Joyner Morning Show
· Judge Glenda Hatchett — author & presiding judge of the syndicated television show “Judge Hatchett”
· Thomas Dortch — chairman emeritus, 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
· Rev. Darren Ferguson —pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in New York and expert in “hip-hop homiletics,” the incorporation of hip-hop into worship
Ø The NBMBAA Career Fair (Thursday & Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.,), which will feature close to 300 exhibitors from companies such as:
· Aetna
· Amazon
· American Express
· Bank of America
· BP
· Bristol-Myers Squibb
· Cargill Inc.
· Credit Suisse
· Deutsche Bank
· Eli Lilly & Company
· Entergy Corp.
· Exxon Mobil
· FDIC
· Freddie Mac
· GlaxoSmithKline
· Humana Inc.
· IBM
· J.P. Morgan Chase
· KPMG
· Monsanto Company
· Novartis
· Praxair, Inc.
· Procter & Gamble
· State Farm
· Target Corporation
· TIAA-CREF
· U.S. Department of State
· UnitedHealth Group
· Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
· Wellpoint
Ø The Franchise Opportunity Center: How To Be In Business for Yourself, But Not By Yourself (Thursday & Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), a new addition to the annual conference that will examine the viability of franchising as a business option for black professionals. The center will feature educational seminars around franchising fundamentals, legal considerations and financial and technical assistance, with topics such as:
· What You Need to Know Before Signing on the Dotted Line
· Show Me How to Get the Money
· Experiences in Franchising: How I Did It & What Franchisors Are Looking For
For the last hour and a half each day, the center will conduct advisor consultations.
Ø The Career Success Network CenterSM (Thursday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. & Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), where attendees can connect directly to NBMBAA resources and receive one-on-one support through career, executive and life coaching; interview preparation; and resume review and refresh. The Center will also offer workshops that are themed around today’s challenging job market:
· Perfect Your Emotional Balancing Act: Endurance Strategies for Leaders
· Discovering Your Talents, Purpose & Power
· What Makes You Unique: Keeping a Job and Advancing Your Career
Ø Gender Forums (3:45–6 p.m.), featuring media personality Star Jones, who will glean key information about the unique experiences of men during the Men’s Forum while the Women’s Forum runs concurrently; the two Forums will then join to explore what was discussed and talk about the insights that were shared.
Ø Learning Experiences (2–3:30 p.m.) such as:
· Make Me Global in 140 Words or Less
· Sustainability: The “New” Competitive Advantage
· Leadership Lessons in Tough Times, which will feature representatives from SC Johnson Canada, Sears, Citi and MasterCard
· Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, featuring representatives from Genentech and Google
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25
Ø “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” (10:30 a.m.–noon), a program geared for entrepreneurs and innovators that will feature four African-Americans who have made headway with their inventions and cutting-edge ideas. The panel will feature:
· Randal Pinkett (moderator) — founder, chairman & CEO of consulting firm BCT Partners and season 4 winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice”
· Raquel Lett-Anderson & Antonio Anderson — inventors of the Gabriel Feeding Pad, a hands-free baby feeder that has been featured on Oprah and is carried in Babies R Us, Target and Burlington Coat Factory
· James Jenkins — founder & president of Innovative Consumer Products LLC and the first African-American to be awarded a licensing agreement on PBS’ “Everyday Edison” television program
· Jordan Culpepper — the 13-year-old CEO of Buttons by Jordan, which designs for special occasions and campaign events
Ø Learning Experiences (2–3:30 p.m. & 3:45–5:15 p.m.) such as:
· Sustaining Brilliance in Times of Change, with noted speaker Simon T. Bailey
· Financial Strategies in Today’s Market: Your Business & Real Estate Investments with financial experts from Wells Fargo
· Real World Business Ethics: What is “Doing the Right Thing”?
· Careers in Healthcare
· The Call to Service: Careers in Government
Ø The NBMBAA Awards Program (7–10 p.m.)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
Ø Farewell Brunch & Lifestyle Day, the perfect health and wellness-themed capstone to conference activities that will let attendees get fit and have fun.
