About this time every year, dedicated students in the College of Business and Management here at NEIU put together the International Business Conference, otherwise known as the IBC. Each year, a different region of the world is chosen to be the focus of the IBC.
Experienced business leaders are asked to come and speak about how current and potential business owners can grow their companies here in Illinois through partnership with other businesses in the region.
This year, the 9th Annual International Business Conference hosted by NEIU will center on Africa. The keynote speaker for the event will be Vijay Mahajan, who will be discussing his book “Africa Rising.”
Another one of the fourteen sessions scheduled for this year’s IBC is one to be given by Jeff Graber, the Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Commercial Service here in Chicago.
Graber, who has attended the IBC several times in the past, said that he has recommended the IBC for his clients to attend.
“Every student should attend the IBC… in this economy; no opportunity should be passed up, especially one that is free and right on campus. Regardless of what career you are pursuing, it is unlikely you will not be affected by the issues the IBC covers,” said Graber.
In regards to his lecture, Jeff Graber will be discussing how local companies can grow, and the many resources the U.S. Commercial Service can provide to these companies.
“67 percent of the world’s total purchasing power is outside of the US,” said Graber.
The U.S. Commercial Service, through a network involving U.S. embassies and consulates in 77 different countries, works to help small and medium sized U.S. companies grow in the global market. By doing this, the U.S. Commercial Service is working to meet President Obama’s initiative to create more jobs here in the U.S.
The International Business Conference is scheduled for Feb. 25, Mar. 1, and Mar. 2 in the Alumni Hall. The keynote speaker, Vijay Mahajan will be speaking on Feb. 25 at 7:05 p.m. Jeff Graber will be giving his lecture in the Alumni Hall on Mar. 2 at 10:50 a.m.
There are 14 sessions scheduled for this year’s IBC and all sessions are scheduled to coincide with class periods; professors are encouraged to bring their classes and attend. Again, this year’s conference will focus on growing business opportunities in Africa.
For more information on the International Business Conference and for a full schedule of sessions, visit http://www.neiu.edu/~bschool.