University of Miami to Host Global Business Forum

Prominent CEOs and Other Business Leaders to Discuss Impact of the Connected World on Financial Markets, Health Care, Sustainability and More

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Miami will host its inaugural Global Business Forum, "Harnessing the Power of the Connected World," on January 15 and 16, 2009. The Forum, organized by the University's School of Business Administration, will feature CEOs and other leaders of some of the world's most prominent companies. Expected to draw hundreds of attendees, the conference will focus on the challenges and opportunities offered by an increasingly interconnected world.

The scheduled keynote speakers include Michael L. Ducker, president, International of FedEx Express, Muhtar Kent, president and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa, president of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Arun Sarin, former CEO, Vodafone Group, Donna E. Shalala, president of the University of Miami and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Jim Skinner, vice chairman and CEO of McDonald's Corporation, and Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric Company.

"As the world continues to shrink, the opportunities to become a player in the global arena increase," said Shalala. "Our University is uniquely positioned to bring together the best minds around to share ideas on global connectivity and what it means to our businesses, health care and research, the arts, education, communication and our future lives."

In addition to the keynote sessions, there will be panel sessions hosted by the University's School of Business Administration, School of Architecture, School of Communication, School of Engineering, School of Law, Miller School of Medicine, Frost School of Music, College of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School. These sessions, which will also feature CEOs of leading companies and other prominent thought leaders, will explore how increased connectivity impacts global financial markets, health care, biotechnology, new media, sustainability, intellectual property and other areas.

"What better place to host a Global Business Forum than the University of Miami," said Barbara Kahn, dean of the School of Business Administration. "The Forum's remarkable line up of visionary speakers, along with the participation of schools from across the university, presents an unprecedented opportunity for our alumni and members of the wider business community to exchange ideas and share strategies for harnessing enhanced global connectivity for the benefit of both business and humankind."

The title sponsor for the Forum is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Inc. Other sponsors include Bank of America, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Total Bank, Blackline Systems, FedEx Express, the University of Miami Citizens Board, The Miami Herald, Poder magazine, and WorldCity Business magazine.

The early registration fees, available through Dec. 10, are $500 for members of the University of Miami (UM) community (alumni, faculty, staff and students) and $750 for non-members. After Dec. 10, the UM fee is $750 and the non-UM fee is $1,000. More information and online registration is available at www.bus.miami.edu/gbf.

About the University of Miami School of Business Administration

The University of Miami School of Business Administration is a leading business school, offering undergraduate business, full-time MBA, Executive MBA, MS, PhD and non-degree executive education programs. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Miami, the School is located in a major hub of international trade and commerce and acclaimed for the global orientation and diversity of its faculty, students and curriculum. The School delivers its programs at its main campus in Coral Gables as well as at locations across Florida and abroad. More information about the University of Miami School of Business can be found at www.bus.miami.edu.

The University of Miami is the largest private research institution in the southeastern United States. The University's mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. www.miami.edu