In the wake of the historic economic crisis and just days before the new administration takes its place in Washington, leading CEOs and other thought leaders will gather at the University of Miami to address the financial crisis, along with energy demand, health care, the environment and other issues related to global connectivity. The University of Miami Global Business Forum, presented by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by the University’s School of Business Administration, will be held January 15 and 16, 2009 on the University’s main campus on Coral Gables.

“As the world continues to shrink, the opportunities to become a player in the global arena increase,” said President Donna E. Shalala. “Our University is uniquely positioned to bring together the best minds around to share ideas on global connectivity and what it means to our businesses, health care and research, the arts, education, communication and our future lives.”

UM Law Professor Caroline M. Bradley and Visiting Professor Jan Paulsson will chair the conference’s “International Commercial Arbitration - Miami Style” session on January 16. The session will address how Miami is poised to become a significant international arbitration venue.

Other scheduled keynote speakers include Michael L. Ducker, president, International of FedEx Express, Alberto Ibargüen, president and chief executive of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Muhtar Kent, president and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa, former president of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Arun Sarin, former CEO, Vodafone Group, President Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Jim Skinner, vice chairman and CEO of McDonald’s Corporation, and Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric Company.
 
Over the course of two days, the Forum will present more than a dozen panel sessions focusing on issues ranging from the global financial crisis and alternative energy to health care, the environment, sustainable urbanism, women in leadership, and the developing economies of Latin America and Asia. These sessions will feature top executives from leading organizations and other thought leaders on global connectivity.

“What better place to host a Global Business Forum than the University of Miami,” said Barbara Kahn, dean of the School of Business Administration. “The Forum’s remarkable line up of visionary speakers, along with the participation of schools from across the university, presents an unprecedented opportunity for our alumni and members of the wider business community to exchange ideas and share strategies for harnessing enhanced global connectivity for the benefit of both business and humankind.”

 “This conference will provide insight into critical economic, social and environmental issues and access to leaders who are doing something about them. It also showcases the University of Miami’s impressive range and depth of talent,” said Alberto Ibargüen, president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Forum’s presenting sponsor.

The title sponsor for the Forum is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Inc. Other sponsors include Bank of America, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, TotalBank, Blackline Systems, FedEx Express, the University of Miami Citizens Board, The Jeffrey Group, The Miami Herald, Poder magazine, and WorldCity Business magazine.

More information and online registration is available at www.bus.miami.edu/gbf.

posted 13-January-2009