For aspiring student entrepreneurs, plugging into the startup scene might seem daunting.
The key is to know where to go and who to meet. There are plenty of ways for future professionals to get involved, gain experience and give back to the entrepreneurial community.
If you are interested in getting up to speed on the latest trends and developments in your field, listen to inspiring keynotes from thought leaders, or network with other professionals, conferences are the place to be. While such events are great opportunities to expand your knowledge and network, with so many options out there, choosing which conferences to devote your time to can be challenging.
To help you on your journey to a successful career, we created a list of what we think are the best conferences to go to in 2017. We sorted them in chronological order. Whatever industry you are in, we hope you will find here the perfect option for you.
Must-attend conferences for business students in 2017
1. International Youth Leadership Conference 2017
Prague, Czech Republic | January 8-13, 2017
Join students from around the world for the experience of a lifetime!
2. Leuphana Conference on Entrepreneurship (LCE)
Lueneburg, Germany | January 19-21, 2017
The Leuphana Conference on Entrepreneurship (LCE) is an annually held international conference at the Leuphana University in Lueneburg, Germany with about 300 participants, from students to alumni, researchers and practitioners to other representatives from different industries.
3. Africa Business Conference 2017 | February 16-18, 2017
Partnering For Prosperity: Working Together For a Strong And Inclusive Africa.
4. Entrepreneurship and Collaboration Conference
Leeds School of Business, Colorado | February 16-18, 2017
A conference aimed at bringing together scholars from across disciplines to discuss the central role that collaboration can and does play for phenomena and theory related to entrepreneurship.
5. Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations 2017
Cambridge, Massachusetts | February 17-20, 2017
As Harvard’s largest annual student connection in Asia, the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations creates a forum of exchange and facilitates discussion of the most important economic, political, and social issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region.
6. Starting Point Student Entrepreneurship Conference 2017
Saint Mary’s University, Canada | February 21-23, 2017
The Sobey School Business Development Centre (SSBDC) is a non-for-profit organization created 25 years ago to act as a bridge between the university and the business community. They believe that engaging students in entrepreneurship unleashes their imagination, energy, capabilities and desire to learn. The deadline to register is February 15, 2017.
7. World Business Dialogue 2017
Cologne, Germany | March 6-10, 2017
The World Business Dialogue is the perfect place to discuss and network with companies, known speakers and students from all over the world. The World Business Dialogue is all about forming self-sufficient world citizens, equipping them with long-term connections all over the world and giving them room to be creative and innovative.
As the organizing team changes annually, every World Business Dialogue is totally unique yet the spirit remains always the same: passion, curiosity, and commitment.
8. SXSW 2017
Austin, Texas | March 10-19, 2017
SXSW is one of the most diverse, collaborative, and inventive communities in the world. The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.
9. NACUE’s Student Enterprise Conference 2017
Lincoln, UK | March 11-12, 2017
NACUE’s Student Enterprise Conference is the biggest in Europe, connecting students from colleges and universities across the UK.
10. Global Entrepreneurship Congress CEC 2017
Johannesburg, South Africa | March 13-16, 2017
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is an annual event, gathering every year together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and other startup champions from more than 160 countries to identify new ways of helping founders start and scale new ventures around the world.
11. Academy of Entrepreneurial Finance (Europe) Conference 2017 | Stuttgart, Germany | March 16-17, 2016
“Understanding Innovation, Entrepreneurial Ventures and Finance in Europe and the World” . Join the conference of the Academy of Entrepreneurial Finance Europe and the Academy of Behavioral Finance & Economics
12. HUSTLE CON – Startup tactics for non-techies
| Spring 2017
Hustle Con is an annual event hosted every spring by The Hustle, a business news site. As an attendee, you can benefit by learning the tactics and strategies on how to start and run a business with practical advice from some of the most successful young entrepreneurs.
13. Teen Tech Awards 2017
The TeenTech Awards were established in 2012/3 and schools have found them a powerful tool, helping students to see how they might apply science and technology to real-world problems. They encourage students to develop their own ideas for making life better, simpler, safer or more fun. Participating schools are provided with a suggested structure and industry contacts.
14. Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES!)
Newark, Delaware | April 7, 2017
The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES!) is a unique full-day conference for youth centered on innovation and entrepreneurship, featuring interactive workshops, engaging speakers, networking opportunities, and the final round of the Diamond Challenge.
15. ASES Summit 2017
Stanford University | April 9 – 14, 2017
ASES Summit’s goal is to solve the world’s toughest problems. Every day, you’ll have Stanford-led workshops and incredible speakers, designed to create the perfect blend of practical, actionable skills, and advice with mind-blowing, perspective-changing inspiration.
By the end of Summit, you’ll be comfortable being uncomfortable, you’ll see the world in a completely different light, and you’ll have formed deep bonds with 34 other of the world’s brightest entrepreneurs.
16. 3E 2017 – ECSB Entrepreneurship Education Conference
Cork, Ireland | May 10-12, 2017
Through an innovative and untraditional format, the 3E conference establishes a new paradigm for entrepreneurship conferences. It offers an exclusive and engaging opportunity for researchers, educators, and politicians to debate and exchange their experiences of the major challenges and advances in enterprise education with a special and unique focus on Europe.
17. PolyU Innovation & entrepreneurship global student Challenge | June 24-27, 2017 | Deadline: November 1, 2016
The PolyU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Student Challenge (GSC) is an international business plan competition for the best, most innovative and technically viable ideas from the world’s brightest young entrepreneurs. Offering a unique platform for international academic, cultural and professional exchange, the competition offers a rare opportunity to turn your ideas into real-world products and services.
18. TEDxTeen 2017 | TBA
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of self-organized, local events that are bringing people together to share a TED-like experience.
19. Enactus World Cup 2017
London, United Kingdom | September 26-28, 2017
Enactus, an international nonprofit organization with 70,500+ students from 1,700+ universities in 36 countries, has chosen London to host its signature global event – Enactus World Cup.
From September 26th to 28th, 2017 a select group of 3,500 students, business, academic and government leaders from around the globe will gather in London for this special event that includes three unforgettable days of collaboration, competition, and celebration.
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