10.31.2007 - 02:19pm ET

(CSRwire) NASHVILLE and SAN FRANCISCO - October 31, 2007 - As demand for corporate social responsibility grows, the stage is set for an unprecedented gathering of students and professionals committed to those ideals at this year's Net Impact Conference in Nashville. Hosted by the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, this leading forum will welcome participants from around the globe to the Vanderbilt campus November 1-3.

The 2007 conference - entitled "Building a Sustainable Future: What Will You Do Next?" - will bring together over 1,800 participants who will focus on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, international development, and nonprofit and environmental management. There will be over 300 speakers and 90 panels, with keynote speeches from Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia; Charles O. Holliday, Chairman and CEO, DuPont; and Tensie Whelan, Executive Director of the Rainforest Alliance. In addition, more than 30 major organizations have signed on as sponsors and over 70 companies will be on-site as part of this year's career fair.

"The Net Impact conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for business school students and professionals to engage in the issues and jumpstart their own ideas on sustainability and responsible business practice," said Liz Maw, executive director of Net Impact.

This year's conference is shaping up to be the most dynamic ever through:

Individual students and professionals presenting their own unique ideas and presentations through member-led sessions, and pledge cards where participants will submit information about what they plan to do next after the Conference to make the world a better place.

Competitions to develop solutions to global poverty challenges

This year's conference also presents two new opportunities for students and other participants to put their abilities and ideas to the test in the area of social responsibility. The entire 10,000-member Net Impact community was engaged in the Network Challenge to identify how the membership might help address one of four major global issues: the spread of malaria; the impact of climate change; the effectiveness of education; or the dangers of nuclear weapons. The winning idea will be marketed extensively to the Net Impact community to encourage participation and adoption after the conference.

In addition, twelve teams from 10 of the world's leading business schools were selected as finalists for the first-ever Project Pyramid Case Competition, designed to produce tangible solutions to poverty-related conditions in society. Over the course of the conference, teams of students will be competing for more than $15,000 in prize money, donated by Cal Turner, Jr., chairman of the Cal Turner Family Foundation and retired Chairman and CEO of Dollar General Corporation. Finalists include teams from the University of North Carolina, York University, University of California-Davis, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, Georgia Institute of Technology, Duke University and the University of Virginia.

Emerging business leaders poised to effect change

In the midst of ever-increasing interest among current and future business leaders in the principles and potential of corporate social responsibility, the time is right for these individuals to take bold steps forward in their own lives and workplaces. "Companies worldwide are paying attention to the demand for social responsibility in business today, and this generation of business leaders is poised to use their skills and ideas to effect tremendous change," said Owen Dean Jim Bradford.

Information about this year's conference - including details on the curriculum and last-minute registration options - is available at www.netimpact.org/conference.

The Annual Net Impact Conference is designed to help attendees expand their vision of what is possible as they set their course through the world of business. It mobilizes students and professionals through an exciting array of keynotes, panels, case studies, simulations, and special events. Participants leave with a fresh perspective on the role of business in society, a new appreciation for their individual role as an emerging business leader, and a strong connection with a network of like-minded colleagues.

Net Impact, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is an international nonprofit membership organization comprised of new leaders who are committed to using the power of business to improve the world. Its network spans the globe with more than 10,000 members in 99 countries on 6 continents including 150 student and professional chapters in 90 cities and 116 of the world’s leading graduate schools. Members believe that business can both earn a profit and create positive social change. Net Impact offers a portfolio of programs to help members transform this ideal into measurable results. For more information, visit Net Impact's web site at www.netimpact.org.

Vanderbilt Owen School of Management is ranked as a top institution by BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times and Forbes. For more information about Owen, visit www.owen.vanderbilt.edu.

For more information please contact:

Liz Maw, Executive Director
Net Impact
(415) 495-4230, x306

Amy Wolf, Senior Public Affairs Officer
Vanderbilt University
(615) 322-NEWS

Scott Addison, Vice President
gabbegroup
(212) 220-4444

For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Net Impact

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