Smith School Co-Hosts International GBSN Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Robert H. Smith School of Business co-hosted the 2017 Global Business School Network (GBSN) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., November 1-3. The conference kicked off with a members’ meeting featuring 60 business school leaders from 42 different schools and 27 countries in Van Munching Hall. American University’s Kogod School of Business and George Washington University’s School of Business also hosted the conference.

GBSN is a nonprofit organization that connects business schools, industry and nonprofits to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration to benefit business education in the developing world. More than 70 business schools spanning six continents are members of the organization. The Smith School has been a member since 2008.

Guy Pfeffermann, a board member for the University of Maryland’s Center for Global Business, recently retired as president of GBSN and was recognized by Smith School Dean Alex Triantis at the opening ceremony for his contributions to the organization. Guy addressed the attendees and stressed that management matters. He particularly focused on the need for healthcare management and the importance of entrepreneurship.

Incoming president Stephen Sacca also addressed attendees.

“I have been very impressed with the clear commitment members have to GBSN,” Sacca said. He previously worked at the MIT Sloan School of Management and has a background in healthcare management.

Attendees participated in workshop sessions on topics ranging from program monitoring and evaluation to managing alumni relations. Representatives from the Smith School’s Department of Alumni Relations, Office of Transformational Learning and Office of Executive Programs shared their expertise with attendees.

GBSN members also learned about an online business simulation, which the Smith School piloted with five schools throughout the world in 2017. The first competitive simulation will take place in spring 2018. The deadline to apply for the simulation is Dec. 1.

“Hosting the members’ meeting at the Smith School gave us the opportunity to showcase our outstanding students, faculty and staff to partners from all over the world,” said Rebecca L. Bellinger, managing director of the Center for Global Business. “Our participation in GBSN demonstrates our commitment to building capacity in business education throughout the world to best prepare students for an interconnected business environment.”

The annual conference in Washington, D.C., brought together more than 150 leaders from business education, government and industry. Attendees reflected on topics including accreditation, online learning, sustainable development goals and the impact on community and regions. Representatives from the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC) hosted a workshop session on using a skills-based framework for environmental and social impact. For a full list of topics covered and organizations represented, please visit GBSN’s website.