Big doings in the big leagues of speaking forums in November

November is here and that can only mean that Thanksgiving is straight ahead. And among the many things for which you can be thankful this Thanksgiving are all the terrific conferences reported on below. Gobble-gobble.

Foremost forums upcoming

• Financial Times Innovate Summit (November 9 – 10; London). Event focuses on trends and developments in process and product innovation, global product development, and new business models for innovation. Event addresses such topics as instilling innovation values and practices within an organization; the skill sets and tools required for a successful chief innovation officer; and making the business case for innovation to key decision makers. The theme for 2011: “Unlocking New Markets: Through Social Media and Reverse Innovation.” Read more.

• Opportunity Green Business Conference (November 10 – 11; Los Angeles). The event is positioned as the largest CSR/sustainability conference in the huge Southern California market and approximately one-third of attendees come from the region. The program aspires to provide attendees with tools and strategies for effectively integrating sustainability into business operations, as well as to facilitate “new strategic partnerships while exploring sustainable strategies and best practices.”

• World Economic Forum India Economic Summit (November 12 – 14; Mumbai). Summit focuses on the critical economic, trade, industry, and social challenges impacting India’s development. Program addresses issues such as business ethics, mergers and acquisitions, women and leadership, technological growth areas, and India’s economic priorities. 2011 theme: “Linking Leadership and Livelihood.” Read more.

• United Nations Climate Change Conference—COP 17/CMP 7 (November 28 – December 9; Durban, South Africa). At the event, attendees convene in an assembly-format to discuss a range of climate change issues. The conference agenda, which typically includes several hundred sessions and speakers, includes sessions of the Convention’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings dealing with assorted climate change issues.

• BizTech@Wharton Conference (December 2; Philadelphia). Event aims to bring together business leaders and university students to examine current technological trends. Program focuses on how technical developments are impacting the way in which companies operate, especially in regards to the balance between business concerns and the need for technological innovation. 2011 theme: “The Evolution of eCommerce.”

Noteworthy conferences beginning agenda planning this month

• Fast Company has issued a call for speakers for its Innovation Uncensored/New York being held April 2012 with a proposal submission deadline of November 21, 2011. Self-described as “a day full of provocative thinking and great workable business ideas,” the program aspires to “give attendees live access to top business visionaries and the companies to watch,” with many of the latter found on the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies List. Program addresses such topics as creativity in the corner office; sports in the digital age: transforming the fan experience; and mobile, media, and the age of change. Read more.

• Fortune Magazine will begin developing the agenda for its Fortune Brainstorm: Green, taking place April 16 – 18, 2012 in Dana Point, CA. By-invitation-only event has a focus on “the opportunities, risks, and impact of environmental issues on business and economy,” and addresses the overriding question of “how can business help solve the world’s big environment problems.” Program examines the movement to sustainability, addressing such topics as sustaining green business models in economic hard times; myths and realities of green buildings; and pros and cons of water privatization.

• Business Civic Leadership Center will begin agenda development for its National Conference on Corporate Community Investment, scheduled for April 16 – 18, 2012 in Atlanta. Conference focuses on “how companies are incorporating CSR and sustainability principles into their energy, education, healthcare, and job creation solutions to advance US community development.” The program’s aim is to advance the effectiveness of public-private partnerships for community development by examining such topics as federal government policies and their impact on communities; the relationship between strategic partnerships and regional economic development; and community investment strategies.