What’s happening in January, and who’s planning what for the rest of the year

It’s a new year and what better way to start off than with a new list of events taking place this month and another new list of events beginning agenda planning for later on in 2011! What’s that you say? You’d rather start off by drinking champagne and doing the Lindy Hop down Broadway at high noon? We’ll look for you on YouTube!

Foremost forums upcoming in January

• World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (January 26 – 30; Davos-Klosters, Switzerland). Event has increasingly come to focus on ecological, cultural, and socio-political issues, as well as its traditional concerns of economics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility issues. The 2011 meeting has been themed “Shared Norms for the New Reality,” reflecting the foremost concern of many leaders today living in a world that is becoming increasingly complex and interconnected and, at the same time, experiencing an erosion of common values and principles.

• Kellogg School of Management Marketing Conference (January 21 – 22; Chicago and Evanston). Event attracts senior marketing executives from Chicago area companies, as well as Kellogg School students and alumni, to share their perspectives on current marketing challenges and best practices. Program addresses such topics as what a market-driving organization looks like; the brand lifecycle; and the benefits of nontraditional marketing.

Noteworthy conferences beginning agenda planning this month

• Corporate Eco Forum will begin agenda development for its Annual Meeting, which will be held June 5 – 7 in Washington, DC. Meeting aims to bring together senior business leaders from across business functions “to synthesize the most important actionable, best-practice insights on eco-strategy execution and green ROI.” Program is developed by the Leadership Council, Advisory Board and CEF members and is composed primarily of sessions that focus on “actionable, ROI-driven executive plans and practices” and promote “peer-to-peer exchange.”

• Blouin Foundation will begin developing the agenda for the Blouin Creative Leadership Summit to be held September 20 – 21, 2011, in New York. Summit is self-described as bringing together “leading figures in the areas of science, technology, culture, business, and politics” to focus on “the critical threats and opportunities presented by globalization at the local and global levels.” Program addresses such topics as globalizing the mind; political leadership in the twenty first century; and partnerships, power and potential.

• Europe+ Foundation will begin solidifying the agenda for its World Investment Conference, scheduled for May 25 – 27 in La Baule, France. Conference is self-described as “the only European conference focused on technology, business, investments and policies to stimulate global economic growth.” Program addresses such topics as benchmarking economic and social policies; understanding international investors’ needs; and ways to make Europe more attractive and more competitive.

• National Urban League will begin agenda development for its Annual Conference, taking place July 28 – 31, 2011, in Washington, DC. Event will commemorate the League’s 100th anniversary and will address “the most critical issues confronting African Americans and urban communities and to strategize about empowering solutions.” Program topic include legislative priorities; the state of African-American health; and the future prospects for urban America.

• US Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center will begin agenda planning for its Annual Conference on Global Corporate Citizenship, scheduled for October 5 – 7 in Washington, DC. Conference 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 addresses such topics as economic development; global water scarcity; and health programs in underserved regions.