Senior executives from all segments of the global supply chain who want to recharge their batteries for the new year, strengthen leadership capabilities and stretch their thinking beyond business as usual are invited to participate in the 2013 Leadership Symposium on Jan. 16-18 in San Diego, Calif. This annual event is sponsored by Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Foundation for Industry Talent in partnership with Cornell University.
To maintain an intimate, collegial environment, registration is limited to 75 attendees. The symposium also does not feature a tradeshow component, thereby purposely establishing a no-selling, pressure-free environment.
The symposium’s educational programming will focus on managing change at the global corporate and personal levels through high-level learning opportunities rather than skills training. All discussions will be led by professional facilitators who are “industry prepared” to ensure attending executives walk away with relevant, actionable lessons in leadership and business.
Tom Koulopoulos, president and founder of the think tank and advisory firm Delphi Group, will get the program started with his opening session “Lead Change by Leveraging the Cloud.” Koulopoulos describes the “cloud” as a pervasive social and economic network. He’ll share winning stories of business innovation powered by the cloud to help attendees identify ways to drive increased innovation and lead change.
Also speaking the first day is Mark Thompson who will present “Create a Culture of Change for Success Built to Last.” Thompson is CEO and co-founder of Virgin Unite Mentors, Sir Richard Branson’s network for executive coaching and entrepreneurial innovation. With insight gained from working with global leaders such as Richard Branson, Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett, he’ll explain how attendees can convince their teams not only to embrace change, but also lead transformation…with urgency.
On day two of the symposium, lessons of cultivating passion in business will come from Ryan Estis in his presentation “Lead Change by Creating Passion…on Purpose.” Estis is chief experience officer of Ryan Estis & Associates, which helps companies connect more effectively to employees and customers. He’ll outline the importance of passion in creating a high-engagement, high-performance work culture driven by exceptional leadership.
Best-selling author and performance expert Joe Calloway will close the symposium. In his session “Harness the Power of Change through ‘Category of One’ Leadership,” Calloway will discuss how to shift one’s perspective on personal leadership style and also will deliver insight on harnessing the power of change for success.
In addition to these influential speakers, the symposium offers networking and relationship-building opportunities through small-group discussions, receptions and dinners. The application deadline is Dec. 28. Go here for details and to apply online. All proceeds from the Leadership Symposium benefit the foundation’s initiatives to attract, develop and retain talent.
This year marks the first in a rotation of locations for the Leadership Symposium, which will be held in Orlando, Fla., in 2014, and Dallas, Texas, in 2015.
