Social Enterprise Alliance Summit


Summit Home Program Overview Schedule Pre-Conference Plenary Panels Sessions Speakers Tours Young Leaders Track Committee Members Press Kit Register Scholarships Volunteer Conference Hotel Travel Opening Showcase Awards Social Enterprise Angels Forum Dine Arounds Networking Social Enterprise Visit Program Conference Sponsors Sponsor Prospectus Micro-Sponsorships Scholarships Ad/Exhibit Listen SEA Board Chair Jim Fruchterman describes social enterprise as the new face of business. I have been attending SEA's annual conference for years. I always look forward to the opportunity to reconnect with the leaders in the field, and I am continually inspired by the newer members of the social enterprise movement. Jim Schorr Clinical Professor of Management Vanderbilt University Connect with Summit Attendees	Social Enterprise Summit 2010 + World Forum: Frequently Asked Questions Basics What is social enterprise? It's an organization set up to advance a social or environmental mission and using market-based strategies to accomplish that. More information What is Social Enterprise Alliance's role? SEA works to create a community of people using business to advance social change, it provides information, resources, and learning opportunities, and advocates for policies that create a more conducive environment for social enterprise. SE's mission is to build a robust SE field, including best practices, inflow of investment & trained human capital. - Fast Facts about Social Enterprise Alliance Who should attend the Summit? Nonprofit leaders seeking like-minded entrepreneurial leaders or seeking to hone their SE strategies; funders & investors looking for projects to invest in; new entrepreneurs seeking models, mentors, a community; even companies seeking to deepen their CSR initiatives by partnering with SE's What is your press pass policy for the conference? We can accommodate working journalists at the conference, but request they purchase tickets for any conference meals they would like. Freelance journalists are asked to present a letter from an editor at an established publication acknowledging that they've been assigned to write about the conference. About the conference Why is this conference needed? Clearly our world needs new solutions & approaches. Old ways are just not adequate. Many alternate strategies have been developed over the past couple of decades (or longer) and its time for them to come to the forefront so they can be built into the fabric of our communities, institutions, policies - strategies that create jobs, rebuild communities & provide opportunities for all kinds of people that have been historically left out of the economy. SE is about shoring up the necessary foundation to create an inclusive, sustainable and competitive economy. How is this year's conference different from past years'? It's not just a North American gathering like we have each year, this year it's international. The 2010 Program meets the standards set by the previous two world forums, which means a mix of thought leadership conversations as well as examples of SE from around the world and also practical ideas and strategies. SE is appropriate in any cultural context, and this event will help to accelerate the global movement in SE. What are the most interesting aspects of the Summit and World Forum? Students and Young Leaders track for including and supporting the next generation (see page on website) Annual SE Leadership awards highlighting role models in the field Tours of successful SE's in the Bay Area SE Showcase & reception for kicking off the conference and enabling people to see the breadth of SE products and services Preconference workshops are an opportunity to go in depth on a topic to help your organization ramp up its performance Plenary discussions on hot topics that will make you think, by brilliant leaders from around the globe This is your eleventh conference. What's the percentage of veteran attendees vs. new? The conference will have about 2/3 new attendees and 1/3 returning. This is the perfect ratio. It means that by moving the conference to a different city each year, we do attract people from the region who may not have affiliated with social enterprise previously. Yet the event also includes established thought leaders and those who've been working in the field and the movement a long time who bring best practices and the leading edge. Why should veteran attendees return? The field is constantly evolving and this event is where you go to see what's new. If that's not enough reason to attend this annual event, this year there is another reason. This is the 3rd World Forum on SE. For all those working in the field and who have wished they could get invitations to the Skoll Forum, our conference is open to anyone and will inspire and energize you for months to come. Why should new attendees join? If you're longing to find a community of like-minded entrepreneurs; if you want to ramp up the entrepreneurial culture within your organization; if you're seeking to invest in something transformative and sustainable; if you have an idea you want to get off the ground. What will conference attendees walk away with? Inspiration - to keep working on social change Ideas - models and resources Connections - suppliers, customers, partners, mentors How can nonprofits justify attending conferences like the Summit in today's economic climate? No other conference will give them ideas for supporting their mission financially that don't rely solely on philanthropic support. If that is not compelling enough, I don't know what is in these times. The conference is a very small investment that can reap long term rewards in building an entrepreneurial culture and successful and sustainable approach to a social mission.