photo of a stack of newspapers

News and Events

Business Conference

The Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences sponsors a business conference every few years. Listed below are highlights from past business conferences.

2004

The School of Business and Management Sciences sponsored a conference on the theme "Improving Productivity: A Global Challenge" on Thursday, April 1, 2004 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Student Union Ballroom.

The keynote presentation was given by Bradbury Anderson, CEO, Best Buy Company. Additional presentations were made by Michael Ottenweller, CEO, Ottenweller Company, Carol Shuttleworth, CEO, Shuttleworth Inc; and Thomas Miller, CEO, Lutheran Health Network. The presentations were followed by breakout sessions on timely topics with IPFW faculty and business executives as moderators. The luncheon speaker was George W.M. Bullion, director, IPFW Center for Economic Education.

The 2004 Business Conference offered all attendees/participants an opportunity to learn from business leaders how they transform productivity challenges into profitable opportunities; and to network with business colleagues, form new relationships, and share exciting ideas.

2002

The School of Business and Management Sciences sponsored a conference on the theme "Growth Strategies in Turbulent Times" on Thursday, April 25, 2002, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Student Union Ballroom.

"On the plains of Masai Mara, the lion knows it has to run faster than the slowest deer, or it will go hungry. The deer knows it has to run faster than the fastest lion, or it will become the lion's prey." (Source unknown)

In the ecosystem of the business world, the big firm must use its financial might and marketing prowess to thrive or the small firm will nibble away its market share. The small firm must use its speed and flexibility to create and exploit its niche or it will be swallowed by its bigger competitor.

The current turbulent times present unusual challenges to both large and small firms. Learn from business leaders how they covert today's threats into tomorrow's opportunities. SHare your ideas on current and emerging issues in breakout sessions. Network with business colleagues and form new relationship.

The keynote presentation was given by J. Steven Keate, president, Truck Group, International Truck and Engine Corp. Additional presentations was given by three distinguished panelists - John Hamilton, president and CEO, Tokheim Corp.; Mare Jacobus, president and CEO, Fort Wayne Newspapers; and Anthony Wolf, president and CEO, Wolf Corp. Panelist discussed their company's competitive strategies that position them for growth in challenging times.

Panel presentation were followed by breakout sessions with IPFW faculty moderator on the following topics:

  • Full Disclosure, Auditing, and the SEC
  • Making E-Commerce Work
  • Profiling: An Ethical Stumbling Block
  • Marketing Your Way Out of a Recession
  • University-Community Partnerships: Win-Win for All
  • Using Capital Structure to Survive Tough Times

The 2002 Business Conference offered all attendees an opportunity to participate and share their own ideas with business colleagues in the breakout sessions.

The luncheon presentation on "The U.S. Economy: The Road Ahead" was given by IPFW economists George W.M. Bullion and David A. Dilts.

2001

The School of Business and Management Sciences sponsored a conference on the theme "The Pursuit of Competitive Advantage" on Wednesday, April 25, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Student Union Ballroom.

Dramatic developments in the global and domestic economies characterize the year 2000. Continued uncertainties during the last few months provide no indication as to how the future will unfold. However, on indisputable fact remains clear - companies able to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage will emerge triumphant in the months and years ahead. Companies able to cut costs, develop new products and technologies, retain intellectual capital, and above all, continually delight customers will enjoy great success in the future.

The keynote presentation will be made Elizabeth Acton, vice president and treasurer of Ford Motor Company. Additional presentations will be made by Deepak Gandhi, president of Global Systems; and Cathy Beere, president of DeBrand Fine Chocolates. The luncheon speaker will be Robert Kniskern, president of Adaptive Micro-Ware. Panelists will discuss their company's competitive strategies, which position them for growth in an ever-changing economic and technological environment.

Panel presentations will be followed by breakout sessions with IPFW faculty moderators on the following topics:

  • Shifting Sands of Cyberlaw
  • E-Education: A New Frontier for the Corporate University
  • Dot Coms: Strategy for Survivors
  • B2B E-Commerce Unlimited
  • Re-engineering, Technology, and the Human Sacrifice
  • Customer Service: Is the Price Too High?

The 2001 Business Conference will offer all attendees/participants an opportunity to learn from business leaders how they drive their businesses during economic uncertainties and an ever-changing competitive landscape; to engage in breakout sessions on important competitive issues facing today's businesses; and to network with business colleagues, form new relationship, and share exciting ideas.

2000

The School of Business and Management Sciences sponsored a conference on the theme "Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the New Economy " on April 27, 2000, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Student Union Ballroom.

The keynote presentation was by Keith Busse, CEO of Steel Dynamics Inc. Additional presenters included Alan Johnson, president of Wells Fargo Bank of Indiana; Peter Eshelman, CEO of American Specialty; and Joanne Renselle, CEO of Logikos Inc.. Business school faculty moderated six breakout sessions on a variety of contemporary topics. The conference ended with a luncheon presentation by Mayor Graham Richard.