For proactive exec comms planners, October is a busy month

Wasn’t it Reggie Jackson they use to call “Mister October”? Hah! He might be in the MLB Hall of Fame, but we’ll bet he couldn’t name a single conference coming up in October! But we can … and here they are.

Foremost forums upcoming

• US Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center Annual Conference on Global Corporate Citizenship (October 5 – 6; Washington, DC). Examines social and economic issues arising as a result of emerging market development and then examines the various roles that businesses can play in the communities in which they operate. Program includes “interviews, enlightening plenary discussions, active audience participation, best practice models, and TED-style conversations.” The theme for 2011: “Adding Value in Emerging Markets and Local Communities.”

• World Business Forum (October 5 – 6; New York). Focuses on topics regarding the US position in the world; global financial markets; strategy, management, and the role of creativity in leadership. Topic areas include innovation in management practices; impact of demographic trends on global economics; energy dependence/independence; and talent management.

• GreenBiz Innovation Forum (October 11 – 13; San Francisco). Focuses on innovation and sustainability, and how businesses can rethink their processes, products, and business models by incorporating these concepts. Program addresses such topics as what sustainability means and how it is becoming core to business strategy; how companies manage for innovation; and key success factors for making companies sustainability innovation leaders.

• World Knowledge Forum (October 11 – 13; Seoul). Forum is described as “Asia’s most prominent knowledge festival.” Event focuses on the “search for the 21st Century wealth creation equation,” addressing such topics as the impact of fund capitalism; innovation as a factor in corporate growth; building global brand leadership; and creation of online distribution channels. 2011 theme: “The New Economic Crisis: Reforming Global Leadership and Asia’s Challenge.”

• Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society Global Meeting (October 13 – 15; Deauville, France). The meeting aims to “create a powerful, global network in order to strengthen the influence of women throughout the world…[and develop] action plans to encourage women’s contribution to society and promote diversity in the business world.” Event gathers both male and female attendees in a variety of fields, including business, politics, culture and academia; and convenes international delegations representing countries and regions around the world.

• Pop!Tech (October 20 – 22; Camden, ME). Explores the impact of technological advancements on society, focusing on dramatic transformative changes from a technological, cultural, and global perspective. Program addresses such topics as globalization, global warming, biotechnology, nanotechnology, ubiquitous computing, and the future of knowledge and intellectual property. 2011 theme: “The World Rebalancing.” Read more.

• Net Impact Conference (October 27 – 29; Portland, OR). Challenges attendees to “examine the organizational processes, strategies, and capabilities that enable sustainable value creation” through “panel discussions, case studies, keynotes, and special events.” 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.

• GreenGov Symposium (October 31 – November 2; Washington, DC). Symposium has a mission “to bring together leaders from government, the private sector, non-profits and academia to identify opportunities to create jobs, grow clean energy industries, and curb pollution by greening the Federal Government.” Attendees share best practices and innovative practices in how the public and private sectors can work together in meeting Federal performance goals affecting how agencies become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.

• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) Conference (November 1 – 4; San Francisco). Focuses on innovative strategies for implementing and maintaining successful sustainability and corporate social responsibility structures and management systems. Program examines the full range of corporate citizenship and responsibility issues, including governance, ethics, accountability, work place practices, environmental sustainability, human rights, community investment, and global business conduct.

• Fast Company Innovation Uncensored/San Francisco (November 2; San Francisco). Focuses on the “groundbreaking business solutions across every industry” that are regularly discussed in the company’s magazine and on its Website. Self-described as “a day full of provocative thinking and great workable business ideas,” the program aims to “give attendees live access to top business visionaries and the companies to watch,” with many of the latter found on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list.

Noteworthy conferences beginning agenda planning this month

• World Future Society has issued a call to participate in its Annual Conference being held July 27 – 29, 2012 in Toronto, with a proposal submission deadline of October 15, 2011. Event is described as “bringing together futurists from around the world to share ideas and vital information about the trends and events that will affect the world tomorrow.” 2012 agenda will focus on six topic areas: Science/technology; commerce; earth; humanity; governance; and futuring.

• Craig Michaels, Inc. will begin developing the agenda for its Sustainable Operations Summit, taking place April 17 – 19, 2012 in New York. Summit is an invitation-only event self-described as having been developed to bring together “key leadership from North America’s largest and most influential organizations to share best practices that benefit both the environment and the bottom line.” Program addresses such topics as green building, renewable energy, resource conservation, and other initiatives that can reduce harmful impacts on the environment, focusing on real-world stories of companies’ successes and mistakes. Read more.