2011 Net Impact Conference resounding success

Mid February saw more than 100 delegates gather to attend the 2011 Australian Net Impact Conference, which was again hosted by Melbourne Business School (MBS).

Delegates took the opportunity to mix with leading professionals to debate and discuss issues of corporate responsibility and engage with the conference theme: ‘Growing. Together. Sustainably.’ 

Co-hosted by members of the Net Impact chapters at MBS and AGSM, the conference was a jam-packed three day event, and brought together passionate members from the wider MBS community and delegates from myriad industries.

“The Conference is about business, sustainably and personal change,” said Mindy Leow, MBS Net Impact chapter leader and full-time MBA student.

“In the past we’ve had conferences on business innovation and social enterprise, but environmental sustainability is something that the current leadership team feels really strongly about.”

Founded in 1993, Net Impact is an international non-profit organisation whose mission is to make a positive impact on society by growing and strengthening a community of leaders who use business to improve the world. 

Net Impact members are current and emerging leaders in CSR, social entrepreneurship, not-for-profit management, and environmental sustainability who are actively involved in changing the world. MBS is the home of Australia’s first Net Impact chapter which has been in operation since 2002.

The annual conference commenced with a number of events, including the Australian premiere of ‘Carbon Nation’, a climate change solutions film by Peter Byck, and the ‘World’s Biggest Green Drinks - 500 Little Ideas’, a unique workshop event  to discuss innovative ideas for a sustainable future.

On the conference main day, MBS welcomed leading professionals from banking, consulting, tourism, IT, FMCG and the not-for-profit sector. Presenters discussed the highlights and challenges of managing corporate responsibility within their organisations, and why social and environmental sustainability was important to them.

Key note speakers of the event included Matthew Tukaki (Executive Chairman/CEO, The Sustain Group), Anna Skarbek (Executive Director, Climate Works), and Mark Ingram (CEO, Business for Millennium Development), who shared their knowledge and experience of business and sustainability, low carbon growth plans for Australia, and working to achieve profitable social outcomes.

Judging by the levels of audience participation the conference topics certainly resonated with delegates - as did the reusable silicone coffee cups which were donated by conference sponsor HookTurn Industries.

Watch the 2011 Net Impact Conference video.

Read the 2011 Net Impact program here.

 

Conference Line Up:

Movie Screening: Carbon Nation

February 16, Wednesday, 6:30pm-9pm, Melbourne Business School

Be the first in Australia to watch carbon nation, a climate change SOLUTIONS film by Peter Byck. This event is free and has limited tickets. Register here .  

Live the Dream: A Career with Impact

February 17, Thursday, 1:45pm-4:45pm, Melbourne Business School

Want to jumpstart your career? Want not just any career, but a career with impact? Start here at the 2011 Net Impact Conference, where two panels focus on careers in Energy & Investments and CSR / Sustainability.  This is a rare chance to hear experienced professionals share their personal career stories and get advice on how to get the career that makes your life more fulfilling. Not to be missed! This is a free event.

Career Panelists:

  • Mark Colette, TruEnergy
  • Dr. Malcolm Jacques, Wasabi Energy
  • Matthew Wright, Beyond Zero Emissions
  • Richard Evans, Enviro Search Global
  • Jackie Allender, ACCSR
  • Scott White, Net Balance
  • Andy Jones, Amcor
  • Ian Willamson, MBS

500 Little Ideas! With IMPACT

February 17, Thursday, 6:00pm, HUB Melbourne

Net Impact is proud to be collaborating with Tomorrow[at]Work to host the World’s Biggest Green Drinks – 500 Little Ideas! On February 17 at HUB Melbourne. The evening will kick off at 6pm with Net Impact hosting a mind-opening workshop facilitated by Tom Haynes, strategic innovator and futurist, to envision a more sustainable future and develop tangible actions for each of us as ‘participatory leaders’ to create change. A share of 500 bottles of Little Creatures beer and a range of other prizes are up for grabs for the most innovative ideas and most valuable contributors. $5 entry includes a free Little Creatures beverage. Register here. 

Conference Main Day

February 18, Friday, 8:30am-5pm, Melbourne Business School

Schedule:*

  • Registration and morning tea
  • Malcolm McIntosh, Director of Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, Griffith University
  • Corporate Next Practice, panel featuring sustainability practitioners from NAB, Nestle, and Wipro
  • Sustainability and Brands Building panel with Foster's Group
  • Healthful, local, organic lunch with special presentation by Room-To-Read
  • Policy on the Ground Panel, featuring innovative local organisations Flexicar, FareShare and Carrotmob
  • Afternoon tea
  • Anna Skarbek, Executive Director, Climate Works
  • Mark Ingram, CEO, Business for Millennium Development

*subject to change

Panelists & Moderators:

  • Janette O’Neill, Head of Sustainability, NAB
  • Peter Kelly, Director Corporate & External Relations, Nestlé
  • Craig Beaver, Senior Executive Sustainability, Wipro
  • Mark Crosby, Professor, MBS
  • Olivia Tyler, Global Manager Environment, Foster's
  • Patrick Butler, Professor, MBS
  • Marcus Gordinho, CEO, Fareshare
  • Monique Conheady, CEO, Fleixcar
  • Helen Barclay, Campaign Manager, Carrotmob
  • Leigh Vial, Managing Director, Claros Consulting

Special thanks to Hookturn Industries, makers of the BYO Coffee Cup, for its generous donation of conference door gifts.