Wednesday, November 1, 2023
- 10:00 AM EDT
This fast-paced series of mini-keynote presentations will set the stage for the 2023 conference agenda and the core purpose behind this event.
Join multi-industry corporate leaders as they illustrate how their signature societal investments have made a mark everywhere that matters: in the hearts and minds of employees and customers, in the well-being of their local communities, and in the economic and competitive strength of their companies.
- 11:55 AM EDT
- 12:55 PM EDT
Panelists will discuss the business case for civic engagement and the experiences and leadership of members of the business community as they encourage informed civic participation as a way to unify our communities and support and strengthen our democracy. Explore the important role the business sector has in modeling civil discourse and public service and the ongoing opportunities businesses have to lead in this area – as the #1 most trusted institution, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer.
Take a deep dive into local community impact with two leaders with important lessons to share. What techniques have worked well at the local level to make meaningful impacts that will last well into the future? What does it mean for the community when a company deeply invests in the well being of its home city? From employee volunteer programming to innovative philanthropic strategies, this session will provide both practical and inspirational ideas that can be adapted in a variety of community types and sizes.
Being healthy is more than the absence of illness or disease. It is a complete system comprising our minds, bodies, and surroundings. All too often, individuals face compromise in one or more aspects of health and wellness. These social determinants of health, such as safety, social belonging, access to basic healthcare, housing and transportation, education and literacy, income opportunities, access to nutrition and exercise, and environmental quality, are complex and overlapping. Join a panel of those who are creating widespread progress and improved outcomes within their areas of impact.
The state of the workforce is in crisis. Whether it’s a shortage in a particular industry such as medical care or the lingering effects of the Great Resignation phase of 2022, employers are feeling the crunch – and job seekers are looking for improvements to the employment status quo. Deterring the crisis can’t wait, and in fact must begin when today’s youth are in their formative years and are preparing to join the workforce. Join this discussion about solutions that are at work today to connect the pre-K and K-12 educational experiences with the needs and career opportunities abundant in the workforce.
- 5:10 PM EDT
- 6:30 PM EDT
Enjoy entertainment, an abundant food selection, drinks, and networking.
- 8:30 PM EDT
Continue the camaraderie and networking at Opaline Bar & Brasserie, an elegant venue just two blocks from the U.S. Chamber headquarters. Small bites and a select bar menu will be offered to conference registrants.
Thank you to UPS and The UPS Foundation for serving as the 2023 Citizens Awards Celebration sponsor!
Thursday, November 2, 2023
- 9:30 AM EDT
Mingle with your fellow conference-goers and forge new relationships that could help you advance your societal mission and create greater impact. Stop by the breakfast sponsor table, hosted by Americans for the Arts, and learn more about the impact the arts are having in communities across the country, from community development and cohesion to youth education to civic dialogue.
Gartner shares that in 2023, nine trends are creating the future of work – among them: "quiet hiring," frontline worker flexibility, non-traditional candidate pipeline, and post-pandemic mental well-being. We’ve asked a leader at Hilton, one of the world’s most iconic companies at the top of Fortune's list of 2023 best places to work, to share how some of these trends are taking shape and to foreshadow the future of work.
Economic mobility refers to a person's ability to improve their economic standing over time. In this session with corporate citizenship leaders, we will look at programs that bolster neighborhood stabilization as well as economic mobility for individuals during key moments in time, such as:
- Birth (individual demographics)
- Formative years (community demographics)
- Working years (upskilling, reskilling, parenting while working, workplace re-entry for veterans, etc.)
- Life events (ex: access to capital and credit, whether for entrepreneurship or home ownership)
- Mature years (senior services, retirement planning, senior digital divide, etc.)
Explore the continuum with leaders whose work reaches the right communities and the right people at the right time, helping improve opportunities for upward economic mobility that could create lasting generational impact.
Natural disasters are not slowing down, and they continue to affect countless communities, small businesses, families, and individuals. But, can we prepare for the disruption? Yes, and technology helps. Rather than stay in a reactionary posture, many organizations are using emerging tech to help their stakeholders predict, plan for, and ultimately weather the disruptive and stressful impacts of disasters. Hear the practices, lessons learned, and promising outcomes from just a few of today’s key players.
Deploying humanitarian assistance takes thorough planning and trusted networks in any scenario – but the complexity rises when responding to a crisis outside of the home country. These experienced international aid players will help paint a picture of what works and what more needs to be done to be most effective when supporting relief and rebuilding in a humanitarian situation.
- 1:15 PM EDT
Lunch is presented by Welcome.US, a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners of the country to welcome and support those seeking refuge here.
- 1:30 PM EDT
Sarah Charles, Assistant to USAID Administrator Sarah Power, will discuss how USAID is engaged in several ongoing crises, including the one unfolding in the Middle East and USAID’s humanitarian approach to geopolitical challenges and disasters of all kinds.
Organizations striving to lead need to have a long view into the future, which helps them be more prepared and proactive in their strategic decisions. In today’s world, we must anticipate challenges, develop solutions, and have plans in place for moments in time that have not yet happened. Join a fascinating talk about looking at today’s society through tomorrow’s lens, led by McKinsey & Company Design x Foresight team members. Answer questions such as, how can we make clearer sense of change factors and become more prepared, agile, and intentional in our planning, even though uncertainties abound? How can we become more proactive in creating the future we want? How can business help solve for what’s ahead? And, what would happen if businesses collectively make these decisions for a better future for all?
The purpose of the closing keynote is for attendees to leave Business Solves 2023 with a spark of inspiration and ask themselves questions such as: As an individual working on behalf of your organization and overall societal good, how will your personal superpower drive you in the next year? How does turning your purpose into action support the impact your organization is uniquely positioned to make?
- 4:15 PM EDT
A Visit to the National Air & Space Museum on National Mall
We will close the 2023 conference with a selection of field trip options that are unique to Washington, D.C.
Join an exciting docent-led tour of newly renovated portions of the National Air & Space Museum, a Smithsonian Institution gem on the National Mall. As the Museum continues to undergo a historic transformation, eight of its reimagined exhibits are now open, encouraging the exploration of air and space in new ways. See firsthand examples of how the Museum is leveraging corporate partnerships to help inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers.
Limited capacity, please register by Tuesday, October 31.
This tour has limited capacity and may reach its limit prior to the registration deadline.
Networking
Tours will conclude at approximately 4:15 and we encourage participants to stay and network at a nearby restaurant (please see "cocktail hour" RSVP request).
A Visit to the National Archives
We will close the 2023 conference with a selection of field trip options that are unique to Washington, D.C.
Led by National Archives Foundation staff, this tour will bring you up close to the United States’ original founding documents – the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Other highlights include the 1297 Magna Carta (the only Magna Carta located in North America!) and the Records of Rights exhibit addressing civil, immigration, and women's rights. Additionally, don’t miss one of the final chances to visit the temporary exhibit, All American: The Power of Sports, before it closes on January 7th.
Please: advanced registration is required by Tuesday, October 31, security checks are required to enter the museum, and no photography is allowed inside the museum.
This tour has limited capacity and may reach its limit prior to the registration deadline.
Registrations after Tuesday, October 31 cannot be accommodated due to security requirements at National Archives.
Networking
Tours will conclude at approximately 4:15 and we encourage participants to stay and network at a nearby restaurant (please see "cocktail hour" RSVP request).
- 5:30 PM EDT
Join fellow attendees who chose the National Archives tour for a networking cocktail hour at a nearby establishment. We will provide bus transportation to the National Archives and the cocktail hour will be within a couple blocks' walking distance. With its centralized location in the heart of Washington, D.C., the museum is easily accessible to public transportation and cabs/ride share services. Please arrange your departure transportation at your own leisure.
Metro station: Archives - Navy Memorial - Penn Quarter
Join fellow tour attendees for a networking cocktail hour at a nearby establishment. We will provide bus transportation to the National Air & Space Museum and to the cocktail hour, which will be in a centralized location and easily accessible to public transportation and cabs/ride share services. Please arrange your departure transportation at your leisure.
Metro station: Archives - Navy Memorial - Penn Quarter