Clara Gilleland, Staff Writer

Every year, the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business holds an annual business symposium with keynote speakers and breakout sessions, where local and large business owners, aspiring business owners, students, and sponsors can attend to learn more about different aspects of the business world.

This year’s symposium, scheduled to take place on April 1, is themed “The New Reality – Meeting the Challenge.” The symposium will feature keynote speakers Patrick Jephson and William Beaman of JephsonBeaman. According to the symposium’s website, these speakers are “internationally recognized for their expertise in critical aspects of brand and reputation management,” with clients such as Ferrari, PBS, and many more. Their presentation, titled “Brand, Reputation and the Media: Strategies for Success,” will be followed by a question and answer session. After the keynote presentation, there will be morning breakout sessions including speakers such as marketing executive Heather Bowen, associate dean and professor of the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business Dr. RT Good, and president of the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley Joe Shtulman.

According to the symposium agenda, following the morning breakout sessions there will be “Lunch and Learn Sessions.” This will include special presentations such as, “Byrd School MBA Program; Your Success Starts Here,” “Top 10 Things I Learned About Getting A Job After Graduation,” and, “Dressing for Success; Develop Your Personal Brand.” After the lunch sessions will be the afternoon breakout sessions. Some of the featured speakers during the afternoon sessions will be entrepreneurs like Nicole Klebeiko and Stephen Schuurman, and CEO of NW Works John Brauer.

The symposium will also include networking opportunities and raffles for attendees. The symposium is a great way for students to network with potential employers and to get advice from successful individuals in many different areas of the business field. The event is free to students and requires a simple registration process. Donna Fazio from the business school can be contacted for any questions regarding the symposium and registration details. This is the eighth year of the business symposium, and it is sure to be another year filled with success!