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Spring 2023 Marlin Business Conference: A Greener Tomorrow
The weeklong student-led conference takes place April 17-21 during Earth Week at VWU
University News | April 13, 2023
“A Greener Tomorrow” is the theme for Virginia Wesleyan University’s student-led business conference, set for April 17-21, during Earth Week at VWU. Throughout this eventful week, the Hampton Roads community is invited to participate in free workshops, presentations and interactive panels, all planned and organized by students in the “Principles of Management” course, taught by Frank Futyma, Lecturer of Management, Business and Economics (MBE).
The semi-annual conference represents the culmination of months of hard work by the students who performed key management skills to coordinate the event, including product development, networking, project management and financial planning.
“The Marlin Business Conference is a great opportunity for the students in Principles of Management to apply what they learn in class to the outside world,” said Abigail Mahoney, CEO of the spring conference. “It requires patience, organization, leadership, cooperation, communication, and creativity.”
Mahoney says that the event provides participating students with activities designed to improve their resumes and enhance their understanding of how the business world operates.
“It has a reputation for getting better each year under the supervision of Professor Futyma, and we intend to build on the past success for a greener tomorrow.”
Beginning with the opening ceremony on Monday, April 17, the students are excited to see their plans come to fruition. The conference opens at 6 p.m. on Monday with a keynote address from Scott Whitehurst, Director of Environmental Policy and Compliance for the Port of Virginia.
Conference highlights include a “Business Ethics” presentation from students in MBE 400, “Dress for Success” presentation, workshops on “Resume Building,” and an ISP Consultant Competition by students in ISP 101, "Fundamentals of Information Systems." The ever-popular “Shark Tank” returns at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, in Brock Commons with presentations by students in MBE 10.
Now that most of the hard work of conference planning is behind them, the students are hyper focused on execution. And they will digitally record most conference events so participants who can’t attend in person can view the presentations at a later time.
“The Marlin Business Conference is a Virginia Wesleyan tradition,” Futyma said. “It is an event that showcases our students' communication, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills. It also provides students with valuable insights into how businesses operate in an environmentally friendly, ethical and profitable manner.”
View the schedule for the Spring 2023 Marlin Business Conference: A Greener Tommorrow