IBC 2013
Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business [HUWIB] is proud to present a preview of the 2013 Intercollegiate Business Convention [IBC], which will be held on October 5 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
This year, our objective is to empower a global community of women to ask about and engage with the spectrum of opportunity in business.
IBC, which stands for Intercollegiate Business Convention, is HUWIB's annual, globally recognized conference for aspiring businesswomen. Over 1,000 women from colleges and universities around the world attend IBC each year. In the past, the conference has featured inspirational keynote speakers such as Diane Von Furstenberg [fashion designer] and Marissa Mayer [Yahoo!].
This year, we are pleased to unveil a set of new initiatives, including IBC Talks, an IBC Loyalty Program, and a reimagined Women in Business Weekend.
IBC Talks are shorter, TED-style speeches that will be presented by distinguished women who excel in emerging areas of business. This new initiative highlights the many exciting industries that IBC traditionally does not feature and keeps our attendees up-to-date on the ever-changing business climate.
The IBC Loyalty Program will ensure a more committed IBC network by demonstrating our gratitude to individuals and organizations that return to IBC. Veteran IBC Professionals will be indicated as such on the program, while repeat attendees will receive benefits such as priority registration and priority lunch seating.
IBC's panels, workshops, and networking sessions will expose the women who attend to a more nuanced view of business, provide them with the desire and confidence to seek mentors, help them identify the challenges of and develop strategies for being women in business, and prepare them for this moment in the business cycle as they enter a challenging and complex work world. Most of all, we hope that IBC 2013 will encourage women to ask—for advice, for opportunities, and for advancement.
WIB Weekend
This year, WIB Weekend will occur from Oct. 4th – 6th, with IBC on Oct. 5th. WIB Weekend will offer unique opportunities throughout the three days to participate in engaging company visits, networking sessions, and social events.
HUWIB’s premiere Make it Happen Magazine will also be launched, and the Make it Happen Entrepreneurship Competition will be inaugurated. In order to emphasize community, WIB Weekend will serve as a time for each HUWIB committee and Campus Ambassador to plan events, from casual outings in Boston to formal networking dinners, for all WIB Weekend attendees and alumni. WIB Weekend will provide additional opportunities to meet other attendees and make the entire trip to Boston both enjoyable and rewarding!
Past IBC Highlights
In the past, IBC has been fortunate to honor remarkable women in business such as Donna Karan, Sarah Robb O’Hagan, and Diane von Furstenberg, in addition to over 100 impressive professionals that represent myriad industries, from finance to entrepreneurship.
Keynote Speakers:
Donna Karan is an extremely successful fashion designer and the creator of the DKNY and Donna Karan New York clothing labels. Before starting her own company, she worked with and eventually became the head of the Anne Klein label. She has been named “Menswear Designer of the Year” in 1992 and “Womenswear Designer of the Year” in 1990 and 1996 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Keynote Speaker:
Sarah Robb O’Hagan is a former managing partner at Nike, the former president of Gatorade and the current president of Equinox Holdings, a New York based fitness company. While working at Gatorade, she revamped the company and its marking program. She was voted the “Most Powerful Woman In Sports” by Forbes Magazine in 2009 and was one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” in 2012. She was also in the Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” lineup in 2009.
CALP Program
This year, HUWIB has revamped its previous Campus Ambassador program to allow for greater ownership and involvement from its Ambassadors. The initiatives expected of 2013 Campus Ambassadors include:
Recruiting Attendees for the 2013 IBC – One of the primary responsibilities of our campus ambassadors is to recruit as many girls as possible from their schools to attend IBC. Marketing the convention thoroughly is key to making the conference a success. This will happen through a variety of campaigns that will utilize social media, email, and word-of-mouth.
Contributing to the Leading Ladies Blog – This year the IBC team is thrilled to launch the Leading Ladies blog. Campus Ambassadors will write bimonthly posts, ranging from business op-eds to event summaries that may include inspirational photos/videos. The most engaging, thoughtful posts will be published in HUWIB’s premiere Make it Happen Magazine.
Hosting Events – Campus Ambassadors will host at least two events, one during the year for the women at their schools to encourage leadership development and engage with business ideas, and another during WIB Weekend, which will be a collaboration with other Campus Ambassadors as well as with the IBC Marketing team. These events will bolster the enthusiasm and excitement for IBC throughout the year. Examples of campus events include company visits and dinners with local business professionals.
For application inquiries, please email ibc2013marketing@gmail.com.
Make It Happen Magazine
Your ticket to IBC will get you a copy of Make It Happen, an annual publication sponsored by Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWIB), which focuses on business topics most relevant to undergraduates, including a business school guide and a "Tools for Success" section with business book reviews, professional advice on issues like public speaking, and tips for succeeding in a global environment. Make It Happen also offers insight into a variety of industries through the eyes of top women executives.