The future of Burlington’s businesses are in good hands, as Notre Dame’s graduating class hosts the 22nd annual Business Leadership Conference today (Tuesday, May 14).
Organizers are hopeful that as many as 600 people will attend, with ticket sales already exceeding 200.
“The business leadership class is not just unique to Notre Dame, classes like it are offered in other schools, but ours doesn’t include an exam,” Paulina Osowsky, CEO of the conference said. “Every other school in our board does, but because we run a conference and do something that is more like experiential learning, we feel an exam isn’t the best fit for us.”
Osowsky added the conference is absolutely more work than studying for an exam.
The conference is entirely student run, with teachers only acting as supervisors. The fundraising committee regularly leaves the school all together, going door to door to local businesses in hopes of finding sponsors and donations.
“A lot of our job is to go out in person, or even cold call people,” Ben Jones, donations committee president said. “We get those driving forms signed and a good portion of my committee can leave during the period. Maybe three people will come with me in a car and go out into the community.”
Attendees will be treated to speeches from athletes, residential school survivors, entrepreneurs, and family members of holocaust survivors. Max Kerman, lead singer of Arkells, is the keynote speaker for the conference.
Visitors will also be provided with passes, badges, and swag bags to make the experience as personal as possible. Primarily, high school students are attending although there is a number of Grade 7 and 8 students from Sacred Heart and St. Timothy’s who are also set to show up.
The conference kicks off at 9 a.m. with a breakfast before attendees are shuffled through different rooms with specific speakers.
“You’ll choose a room with your first and second speakers, and it’s a great deal honestly for $10 per ticket,” Osowsky said. “Everyone gets to see the keynote, there are raffle prizes, gift cards, and a VIP meet and greet.”
The business leadership class consists of approximately 60 students split between two class times. Together, they run the conference as if it were a business with all the roles and responsibilities that come with it.
Committees handle the individual tasks at hand such as merchandising and hospitality, and the end result is a successful conference that has been running for more than two decades.
Both Osowsky and Jones are planning on studying business next year, as Osowsky is hopeful to get accepted into Laurier or Queens, and Jones has already been accepted to Ivey at Western, but is hoping to get two years under his belt at Huron.
“I love working with people and Ivey sets you up really well for connections post university,” Jones said.
The Notre Dame Business Leadership Conference is set for May 14.
Anyone interested in buying tickets to the Notre Dame Business Leadership Conference can do so online.
