Business Today (student magazine)

Business Today is an American, non-profit student organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, and run by Princeton University undergraduates.[1] Founded in 1968 as a magazine, the organization has continued to expand to include conference and seminar programming.

For other uses, see Business Today.
Business Today
PresidentGrace Hong
FrequencyBi-Annual
Circulation250,000
Year founded1968
CompanyFoundation for Student Communications, Inc.
CountryUnited States
Based inPrinceton University
LanguageEnglish
Websitebusinesstoday.org

The organization continues to publish a magazine twice a year, maintains an online journal, and hosts two annual national conferences: the International Conference and the Design Nation Conference.

History

Origins

Business Today was founded as a magazine in 1968 by Steve Forbes, Michael Mims, and Jon Perel, who were students at Princeton University at the time. Created in an era where business and finance was facing backlash from the public, Forbes, Mims, and Perel's magazine immediately caught the attention of the outside world. Later in 1968, the three co-founders were interviewed on the Today Show with Hugh Downs, giving the magazine nationwide notoriety.

1970s

In 1971, Business Today became a nonprofit foundation. The same year, the organization hosted its first conference, “Business Tomorrow,” which would eventually evolve into the present-day International Conference. This first conference lasted from October 20–22. Speakers included Richard Clarke and Ralph Nader. The event was held in Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The conferences originally happened sporadically and in cities around the country, but by the mid-to-late 70s, they became more regular and concentrated geographically. In 1974, the first official annual International Conference was held in New York City, inviting students from around the globe to participate.

In 1976, Meg Whitman became Vice President of Business Today.

1980s to 2000s

In 1988, Wendy Kopp became President of Business Today. She brainstormed the idea of Teach for America during an International Conference.

In 2007, Michael Kratsios became President of Business Today.

2010s

In the 2010s, Business Today began greatly expanding its programming for college students, as well as increasing its editorial capacities.

In 2012, Business Today hosted the Start @ a Startup conference. During the same year, Business Today published its Online Journal, which features editorial pieces, interviews, career pieces, seminar coverage, and conference coverage.

In 2013, Business Today launched its Women in Business Conference, which would eventually become rebranded as HerVentures.

In 2017, Mihika Kapoor spearheaded the first Design Nation conference for undergraduate students. Business Today also launched its first annual Breakout trip, allowing for 15 students to visit companies around New York City.

In 2018, Business Today celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

Business Today Magazine

Business Today is an American magazine created by and for college students. It was founded in 1968 by three students at Princeton University—Jonathan Perel, Steve Forbes, and Michael Mims. Currently, Business Today is the largest student-run magazine in the United States. It is published twice a year, and has a distribution base of over 200,000 college students and business executives.[2]

International Conference

The Business Today International Conference is the organization's largest and signature event. Held annually in New York City, the all-expenses-paid event brings 150 distinguished undergraduate students from around the world together with current business and world leaders to discuss and share perspectives on relevant business issues. Past keynote speakers at the conference have included Gerald Ford, Andrea Jung, Brad Smith, and Henry Kissinger. The conference also holds a social entrepreneurship pitch competition, the Impact Challenge, which awards $15,000 in seed funding to the top student-created venture. This challenge is judged by finance professionals.

In 2018, the 44th Annual International Conference attracted around 4000 applications and the conference itself focused on the theme of The Future of Work. A Writing Competition was also launched to offer alternative entrance into the conference; it published the top three winners in Business Today's Magazine and Online Journal.

The International Conference is the largest conference of its kind in the United States.[3]

Designation Conference

Design Nation is an annual conference held in New York City. The conference brings together approximately 100 undergraduate students to discuss the application of design and design education around the world.

Digitalization

In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Business Today focused heavily on producing digital content and adapting to a growing digital age. The spring of 2020 saw the first Digital Design Nation Conference. The 2020 International Conference is scheduled to be digital.

Former members

References
  1. "Princeton University student groups listing". Archived from the original on 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  2. ULM Presidential Lyceum Series
  3. "Maryville College Junior Participates in Prestigious Business Today Conference" by Karen B. Eldridge, Maryville College, December 5, 2008 Archived February 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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