Big events coming up, big-event planners casting around for speakers

Autumn is here and that can only mean one thing—that’s right, the Pirates missed the MLB post-season again! Yes, that and the fact that the Third Quarter conference season has begun in earnest, led by the stellar forums featured here.

Foremost forums upcoming in October

• The Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders Partners Meeting (October 5 – 6; New Orleans) is an industry-government partnership that helps companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Under EPA auspices, Climate Leaders member companies from a range of industries and market sectors gather to discuss topics such as climate energy tech strategies; renewable energy sources; biofuel development; funding issues; and product lifecycle assessment. Read more.

• World Business Forum (October 5 – 6; New York) is self-described as “the leading international symposium for the business community,” with a focus on topics regarding global financial markets and the role of creativity in leadership. Topic areas covered include innovation in management practices; impact of demographic trends on global economics; energy dependence/independence; and talent management. Read more.

• Financial Times’ View from the Top program (October 7; New York) focuses on the perspectives of “some of the top minds in today’s corporate and political community” concerning current economic affairs, from a local to a global perspective. The one-day forum attracts expert speakers to debate questions affecting financial institutions today, as well as to share their thoughts on the long-term economic outlook and most critical business issues that will define the sector in the years ahead. Read more.

• The World Knowledge Forum (October 12 – 14; Seoul) is one of Asia’s most high profile leadership programs, with a focus on the “search for the 21st Century wealth creation equation.” Program addresses such topics as the impact of fund capitalism; US policy toward North Korea; innovation as a factor in corporate growth; building global brand leadership; and creation of online distribution channels. Read more.

• Pop!Tech (October 20 – 23; Camden, ME) explores the impact of technological advancements on society, focusing on transformative changes from a global perspective. Program address topics such as globalized trade, climate change, biotechnology and nanotechnology trends, ubiquitous computing, and the future of knowledge and intellectual property. Event theme is Brilliant Accidents, Necessary Failures, and Improbable Breakthroughs. Read more.

• Economist’s Innovation Awards Ceremony and Summit (October 21 – 22; London) brings together a speaker faculty with diverse backgrounds offering new ways to look at the role of innovation in business. Program examines the impact of innovation on the economic growth of industry sectors such as communications, computing, bioscience, and nanotechnology. Read more.

• Social Venture Network (SVN) Fall Conference (October 21 – 24; Long Branch, NJ) convenes SVN members, affiliates, and other guests to “celebrate the next generation of social ventures.” Attendees are expected to “learn from the collective experience of leading mission-driven business owners and social entrepreneurs,” as well as share ideas and best practices with fellow members. Read more.

• Nikkei Global Management Forum (October 25 – 26; Tokyo) focuses on global business and management issues, with an emphasis on Asian applications. Topics include management strategies for realizing global competitiveness; socially responsible paths toward corporate success; corporate culture and branding; and sustainable growth through strategic leadership. Event theme is The New Competition: Creating Tomorrow’s Paradigm. Read more.

• The Net Impact Conference (October 28 – 30; Ann Arbor, MI) is the annual program for the world’s largest organization of business school students. Agenda is designed to challenge attendees to “examine the organizational processes, strategies, and capabilities that enable sustainable value creation.” Event addresses such topics as corporate citizenship and the role of business in society, individual roles as emerging business leaders, and using business to improve the world. The event theme is 2020: Vision for a Sustainable Decade. Read more.

Noteworthy conferences beginning agenda planning this month

• The Economist Conference Group will begin agenda development for its Ideas Economy Series: Innovation scheduled for March 23 – 24, 2011 in Berkeley. The “Innovation” installment of the series aims to “expand and possibly overturn established thinking about what innovation is, where it comes from, and how to make it work.” Program addresses such topics as the role of technology; partnering with outside organizations; and necessary technical and soft skills. Read more.

• Harvard Business School will begin developing the agenda for its Dynamic Women in Business Conference, scheduled for February 5, 2011 in Boston. Event is hosted by the school’s Women’s Student Association and each year aims to “bring together 1,000 women, including students, alumnae, faculty, distinguished business leaders, and community members, to explore the opportunities and challenges facing women in today’s business world.” Agenda focuses on topics such as best practices for managing work and family; developing networks and mentors; executing negotiating strategies; and accessing resources. Read more.