2026 International Conference

Application Deadlines

• Early Application: June 20th (11:59 P.M. EST)
• Regular Application: August 10th (11:59 P.M. EST)

About the Conference

This year’s Business Today’s 52nd International Conference explores how the invisible structures of relationships, rituals, and trust shape every organization. With a theme centered around “The Social Architecture,” the conference invites business-oriented undergraduates from around the world to participate in an all-expenses-paid event in Manhattan from November 6th to 8th, 2026.

Conference Theme

The conference theme, “The Social Architecture,” examines how leaders can design environments that prioritize people over processes in a world increasingly organized by data, platforms, and automation. Through keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions, participants will explore how culture is built (or broken) through everyday interactions, including team norms, meeting rhythms, onboarding, mentoring, and decision-making processes. The goal is to highlight practices that foster deeper connections in an era of constant connectivity, such as spaces for genuine conversation, communities of belonging, and networks that emphasize depth over breadth.

Keynote Speakers

• Steve Forbes (CEO, Forbes Magazine)
• Muhtar Kent (Former CEO of Coca-Cola)
• Wendy Kopp (CEO and Co-Founder of Teach For All)
• Jane Fraser (CEO, Citigroup)
• Douglas Peterson (former President & CEO of S&P Global)
• Anthony Capuano (CEO of Marriott International)
• Scott Mills (President & CEO of BET+)

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as undergraduate students at a college or university, or be an incoming first-year (rising freshman) undergraduate student who will be enrolling in a college or university in the fall.
• Graduate students (e.g., MBA, MA, PhD) are not eligible.
• Students currently enrolled at Princeton University are not eligible to apply.

Additional Acceptance Method

In addition to the traditional application process, applicants may also be accepted through the Impact Challenge. For more information, please visit Impact Challenge.

Virtual Conference Option

Attendees will have the option to participate in a virtual International Conference, which will occur simultaneously with the in-person event. To indicate interest, please check the box asking if you would like to be considered for the virtual conference.

Contact Information

Please feel free to reach out to the Student Relations team at studentrelations@businesstoday.org with any questions. Best of luck!