Annual Events

Graduate Women in Business Golf Event

Fridays in April mark the start of Smith Association of Women MBAs' ("SAWMBA") most anticipated annual event, "Swing for Success". This four-part golf series teaches SAWMBA members to golf in a fun, risk-free environment tailored to graduate businesswomen who are about to launch their careers - because, as we all know, a lot of "business" happens on the course! Members start each morning of the four-part series at the University of Maryland Golf Course, and, under the direction of a trained Golf Pro, learn and practice golf etiquette, rules of play and technique. The skill level varies - some members have never picked up a golf club, while other are avid golfers - yet everyone has a good time, practicing their game and learning about their classmates!

Smith SAWMBA is dedicated to providing this opportunity to women interested in rounding-out their MBA experience and to helping women feel comfortable on a golf course, be it in upcoming tournaments, casual play or business-specific golf events. Last year's event had over 40 SAWMBA participants and we look forward to another great year, including a possible mini-tournament to showcase participants' new skills. Other SAWMBA events include the Work-Life Balance Symposia and Women and the MBA. To learn more about the Smith Association of Women MBAs organization or if you would like more information about "Swing for Success 2005", please email gwib@rhsmith.umd.edu or visit the SAWMBA website.

return to top

InForum

October 8, 2004. InForum, the annual business and technology conference at Smith, brought together MBA students, alumni, faculty, experienced industry practitioners, and prominent experts for a day-long exploration that demonstrated the integral role of technology in business.

This year’s conference focused on the ways companies are embracing technology and innovation to achieve enhanced competitive advantage and sustained growth. This was explored in panels such as the Supply Chain Panel that highlighted radio frequency identification (RFID) and other emerging best practices in supply chain management, and the Telecom Panel that covered the potential of Internet telephony and wireless to transform businesses. Prominent issues such as drug pricing and outsourcing of white collar jobs were discussed during the BioPharma and Outsourcing panels respectively. Amidst these challenges to productivity, the implications of a new tech boom as sparked by the Google IPO was covered during the opening Visionary Panel, which was comprised of venture capitalists and technology executives. In addition, the Women in Technology Panel addressed the timeless theme of how women can thrive in a male dominated industry and how they can continue to innovate and progress their careers. The panels comprised of senior executives from companies such as IBM, Vonage, Nextel, CSC, Cisco Systems, and Avaya. Drawing on their personal experiences, the panelists engaged in lively discussion on adoption of technology to sustain competitive business advantage and thrive in the current uncertain business ecosystem.

The morning keynote, delivered by John Morgridge, Chairman of Cisco Systems, addressed the value of IT in an organization, while Donald Peterson, CEO and Chairman of Avaya, presented the afternoon keynote on how strategic communications can produce competitive results. He spoke about the importance of being aware of technological change and stressed the need to have technology that supports the changing dynamics of the workplace. Mr. Peterson singled out workforce mobility and the seamless flow of information to consumers (in the right way, and at the right time, via their medium of choice) as the trends of the future.

Monte Carlo Night

Each year the MBA Association at the Smith School plans a Winter Bash to celebrate the end of the semester and stage a benefit for the Scott Lamana and Eric Cranford Memorial Scholarships.

Scott and Eric, Smith MBA students in the part-time program at the DC campus, lost their lives in the September 11th attack on the Pentagon. To honor their memory and contributions to our community, a fellowship was created in their names. Proceeds from the night's festivities will support the fellowships, which are awarded to two incoming MBA students.

Smith Consulting Forum

The 6th Annual Smith Consulting Forum, the annual signature event presented by the MBA Consulting Club, drew more than 175 participants on October 1, 2004. Sponsored by BearingPoint, the forum brought together current MBA students, alumni, faculty, experienced industry practitioners, and prominent experts for a daylong comprehensive exploration of current industry trends that are transforming the landscape of the consulting industry. The forum came on the heels of the Smith School of Business being ranked #1 by management consulting industry recruiters in the Wall Street Journal’s survey of top international business schools.

Keynote speaker James R. Novick, president of Allegis Group Services, shared how to leverage strategic partnerships with consulting firms to create business opportunities. Speaking on the strong BearingPoint-Allegis Group partnership from a customer perspective, Novick enthused, “You can have everything in life you want if you'll only help each other,” drawing the quote from Zig Zeigler, a world-renowned motivational speaker.

Following the keynote address was an interactive panel discussion with industry executives from BearingPoint, FTI Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Touchstone Consulting. Drawing from their own personal experiences, panelists engaged in a lively discussion on the trends changing the face of consulting and the strategies that their organizations are employing to weather the economic storm and thrive during the downturn. The ensuing panel discussion led by industry professionals from Boston Consulting Group and Huron Consulting, among others, produced fascinating insights into the best practices for securing consulting internships and jobs, life as a consultant, and professional and personal development as a new consultant.

Karaoke/Open Mic Night

Karaoke/Open Mic Night was designed to showcase the often unknown but extraordinary talents that lie hidden within the Smith School student body. The evening featured singing, dancing and band improvisations, with audience members cheering on their classmates and begging for more. Highlights included Japanese Karaoke, Bulgarian and Russian dancing, and some good old fashioned American fun with Summer Lovin' from the movie Grease, among other acts. And as the evening wore on, more and more students were bitten by the show business bug, unable to resist their moment in the limelight! Soon the entire, packed room was full of people dancing and looking to unwind a bit. The event proved a great way for students to relax and get to know one another in a less formal fashion. And according to the MBAA, this will become an annual tradition (so tune up your guitars and practice your moves).

Follow the links below to learn more about life at the Smith School...

Clubs & Organizations
In The News
Annual Events
 

ANNUAL EVENTS
Graduate Women In Golf
Karaoke/Open Mic Night
InForum
Monte Carlo Night
Smith Consulting Forum