September sizzles with executive forums

September brings many things to mind…school bells ringing, college stadiums filled with frenzied fans, the autumn solstice evening out our days and nights, and the excellent forums listed here drawing eager attendees to expand their knowledge.

Foremost forums upcoming

• Financial Times Global Energy Leaders Summit (September 18 – 19; London). Event has a self-described mission to bring together “the energy leaders, policy makers, financiers and emerging new energy players in the vanguard of shaping our clean energy future to discuss the real issues underlying the evolving energy debate.” Topic areas of interest are innovation in clean energy technology; government’s role in clean energy; and the economics of the energy system. Read more.

• Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting (September 23 – 25; New York). Event is an activity of the Clinton Foundation that is self-described as a “non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” Event brings together current and former heads of state, top CEOs, and leaders of non-profit organizations, major philanthropists, and Nobel Prize Laureates, and focuses on specific action areas. Read more.

• Economist Ideas Economy Series: Human Potential (September 27; New York). Event examines challenges related to the advancement of humanity and how human potential can be optimized “for individuals, companies, and society at large in the decades to come.” Topic areas of interest are demography and worldwide population; global education best practices; redesigning corporate cultures; healthcare for an aging workforce; and human-centered design. Read more.

• Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit (October 1 – 3; Laguna Niguel). By-invitation-only event is self-described as “the highest-level gathering of women leaders in business, government, and the arts.” Event aims to provide successful women leaders with the opportunity to explore key issues impacting business as well as subjects impacting their organizations and their careers. The program evolves directly out of the magazine’s annual listing of the 50 most powerful women in business, in an issue published the same week as the conference takes place. Topic areas of interest are global competitiveness; new media; and technology trends. Read more.

• World Business Forum (October 2 – 3; New York). Event is described as “the leading international symposium for the business community,” with a focus on topics regarding the US position in the world, global financial markets, strategy, management, and the role of creativity in leadership. Topic areas of interest are innovation in management practices; impact of demographic trends on global economics; energy dependence/independence; and talent management. Read more.

• SRI Conference on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing (October 2 – 4; Uncasville, CT). Event (formerly SRI In The Rockies) is described as “the largest and longest running conference for sustainable, responsible, impact (SRI) investors and investment professionals in North America.” Event program examines issues and challenges related in “directing the flow of investment capital to catalyze a shift to a more sustainable global economy.” Topic areas of interest are investment and practice management; environment and the society; shareholder advocacy initiatives; and community investment strategies. Read more.

• Commit! Forum (October 2 – 3; New York). Forum, self-described as “the world’s largest-ever CR event” is designed to engage leaders in all major stakeholder CSR groups – investors, employees, government, suppliers, media, NGOs, and customers. Program focuses on the power of CR “to create competitive advantages for superior corporate citizens.” The theme for 2012 is “Good Business Makes the Difference.” Read more.

Noteworthy conferences beginning agenda planning this month

• TechConnect will begin developing the agenda for its Energy Innovation Summit scheduled for February 25 – 27, 2013 in National Harbor. Event, which is co-produced with Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the US Department of Energy, focuses on the next generation of clean energy technologies and aims to connect technologists and investors, and introduce breakthrough technologies. Representative topics include: Beyond the back of the envelope; the many sources of capital; successful presentation techniques; electrical power management; and the scientific method for getting technology to market. Read more.

• Seoul Broadcasting Service will begin solidifying the agenda for its Seoul Digital Forum, tentatively scheduled for May 21 – 24, 2013 in Seoul. Event has a self-described mission to “promote greater knowledge and understanding of issues pertaining to the digital era” and examine issues at the intersection of IT, media, entertainment, and the business aspects of space exploration. Representative topics include: Opportunities and challenges resulting from developments in information technology; understanding political, economic, social, and cultural paradigm changes; and the future of the digital world. Read more.

• The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business will begin agenda planning for its Wharton Leadership Conference being held on June 19, 2013 in Philadelphia. Event focuses on “leading in a period of greater risks and higher stakes” and addresses such questions as “how can executives in the private sector, public service, and non-profit world prepare themselves and their teams to lead in this uncertain environment.” Read more.