By Raquel Mann
There is quite the hustle and bustle on the second floor of the University of Calgary’s Scurfield Hall this week as enthusiastic and hardworking members of the Business Day Group make their final preparations for the Faculty of Management’s upcoming event of the year.
In the early morning hours of Fri., Feb. 1, the faculty will host an estimated 170 students and 170 corporate representatives at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel for the 32nd Annual Faculty of Management’s Business Day Conference.
"It’s important for students to be able to connect theories they have learned in the classrooms with personal experience and real life practical application." said BDG Consultant Marketer and fourth-year Management Student Chris Douglas. "The conference is a great opportunity for students to interact with the local business community and gain these first-hand insights about succeeding in today’s fast-paced and complex business world."
During the conference, a range of speakers, including Alberta Minister of Finance Pat Nelson, will describe their own business experiences and enlighten the audience with various dynamic strategies surrounding issues like self-motivation, goal-setting, facilitating action, and effective management performance. The forum also includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and a post-conference social juncture, where students and corporate representatives can mingle together.
Recently, the U of C Faculty of Management was ranked among the top 100 business schools in the world by the Financial Times. It placed fourth worldwide in the "aims achieved" category with an extremely high percentage of positive management alumni feedback concerning their experiences with the faculty.
"I believe this shows that the faculty is moving in the right direction," said Douglas. "Business Day is one good example of a valuable learning opportunity provided by the department helping to further student successes."
Business Day is sponsored by several corporate groups such as Air Canada, Pan Canadian, and Shell Canada. The conference is open to all students for a $50 entrance fee. Tickets are available at the Business Day office, 302j Scurfield Hall or at the Business Day Booth by the stock ticker.
"We encourage anyone who has an interest in becoming more knowledgeable of the business world and would like to engage in this worthwhile, eye-opening experience to participate," said Douglas.