USD – Sioux Falls to Host Business Leadership Conference
Inspired by the Quinnipiac GAME Forum and by the on-campus investment club, Coyote Capital Management, the Business Leadership Conference was created in an effort to bring a professional, student-centered conference experience to South Dakota.
The conference, which is fully designed, organized and operated by students, provides students with a chance to learn and listen to business leaders first-hand.
“We can learn things in class but may not understand the relevance of their application until we hear real-life professionals describing why and how they’re important,” said Jaxton Schiller, co-director of the Business Leadership Conference and an accounting major at USD. “There are many scenarios that require experience to understand, and this conference allows professionals to share their experiences with young business leaders.”
The conference also provides students with direct connections given its small format, enabling real conversations with business professionals that add value to student experiences now and in their future careers.
The event will feature more than 20 panelists and presenters from a variety of business sectors, including marketing, finance, accounting, sales, consulting and C-suite leadership. Many of the panelists are USD alumni, allowing current students to see examples of career paths that their USD education can lead them toward.
“Alumni can speak directly about their time on campus and how it has prepared them for the workforce,” said Schiller. “Students see real-life examples of where they could end up because of the connection to USD, and alumni and other professionals have the chance to reflect on their own journeys while connecting with the next generation of leaders.”
The day will feature breakout sessions emphasizing technical knowledge, adaptability, communication and ethical decision-making. It will also feature keynote presentations and panel discussions, drawing voices from a variety of industries across the region.
By the end of the day, conference organizers hope every participant leaves the conference with a deeper understanding of how the principles they learn can connect to real-world business leadership and that they feel inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead—giving them the knowledge and confidence to navigate their own career paths.
The conference is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members from USD and surrounding universities and technical colleges.
For more information or to register, please contact [email protected].
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