Australian entrepreneurs are being encouraged to write a 25-word submission for the chance to sit on a panel with Sir Richard Branson at a University of Queensland Business School event.
Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group’s 400-plus companies, will attend an event at UQ Business School on May 9.
The event, facilitated by LinkedIn, is titled “NEXT? The Future of Business Q&A”. It will focus on a five-person panel, headlined by Branson, which will discuss the future of global business.
“This event will feature a panel of five of the brightest future-thinkers in business to debate a series of interactive questions,” UQ Business School dean Andrew Griffiths said in a statement.
Professor Griffiths will join Branson on the panel, along with acclaimed futurist Tim Longhurst and successful female entrepreneur Chris Cameron, founder of Rockcote Enterprises.
The fifth spot on the panel will go to a business owner, professional or student. Nominees, who must be a LinkedIn member, are required to write a 25-word submission via the event’s website.
LinkedIn members can nominate themselves or a LinkedIn connection. One of the five most recommended LinkedIn members will be chosen as the fifth panelist.
Nominees will also go into the draw to win a two-night stay at Branson’s Noosa retreat, Makepeace Island.
People can also submit questions for the panel via the website. The five most thought-provoking questions will be posted to the panel, and the question nominators will win VIP tickets to the event and will meet Branson.
More than 1,500 business leaders will attend the event. The audience will include public and private sector representatives, UQ Business School students and alumni, and students from Brisbane high schools.
According to Griffiths, the business insight generated by the panel will bring to light challenging issues that will then be the subject of research by UQ Business School.
