Griffith Business School celebrated industry partners, alumni and the wider business community at their Better Business Dinner on Friday, 3 November, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
‘For me, tonight’s event epitomises the value proposition of a Griffith Business School that is deeply engaged and working with our key partners in government, industry and business in the communities we serve – to have significant impact,’ Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) said. ‘We look forward to enabling transformative business leadership — and cultivate change agents that will serve the interests of people and planet and for generations to come.’
The School’s industry showcase event saw the School’s business, academic, alumni and student community come together to network, celebrate and be challenged by keynote speaker, summer and winter Paralympian Jessica Gallagher, to think differently and change the way we see the world.
Jessica challenged guests to open their minds to fear and agility, to see these moments as opportunities to learn and grow. As a Paralympic Alpine ski racer, getting ready to hurtle over 100 km/hour down a mountain with a guide as her eyes she shared how ‘trust truly matters in the moments when it’s the hardest to hold onto’ and how ‘success is underpinned by the people you work with.’
Lifelong learning was also celebrated at the dinner as guests learned about Griffith Advantage the new professional development offering for managers and leaders. Professor Rosemary Stockdale explained that Griffith Advantage offers “tailored management and leadership development solutions, focused on creating responsible leaders empowered with the practical skills they need to succeed.’ She said the School is ‘excited to bring these new programs, backed by Griffith Business School’s world-class education and research to organisations of all sizes and for managers across all stages of their career’
An important part of the evening was announcing the School’s Outstanding Industry Partner of the Year, an award which recognises a partner who share Griffith Business School’s purpose led agenda with a focus on sustainable business, inclusive economic growth and fostering future change makers. This year the winner was Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC).
‘Our relationship with Griffith Business School started when Sarah Gardiner and Leonie Lockstone-Binney, from Griffith Institute for Tourism reached out to us seeking opportunities to embed high-impact research into our business practice’ said Avril Harris, Director, Corporate and Partnerships, MEGC.
‘Our partnership has continued, across research pilot projects, federal and state government grant bids, strategy development, industry research and cross-collaboration engagement opportunities – including participation in the inaugural Western Pacific Mass Gathering Events and Health Symposium last year’.
‘We so value the partnership with MEGC. This partnership has long term impacts for our students, through work-integrated learning opportunities, which has resulted in Griffith Graduates making up 23% of MEGC workforce’, said Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business).
UniSuper were proud to again support the event as a silver partner. ‘As the fund for Australia’s thinkers, creators and investigators, we are pleased to support Griffith Business School in their mission to nurture and shape the future of business and future generations of great thinkers. We know that anything is possible when great minds come together, and Griffith’s Business School delivers on that promise’ said UniSuper’s Manager, Employer Partnerships Matt Adams.
Professor Byrne closed the evening calling on guests to continue to join the school in creating better business for a brighter future.
If you would like to find out how we can collaborate to support Griffith Business School students and research, please contact [email protected]