2025 International Conference

Business Today’s 51st International Conference will bring together a diverse group of business-oriented undergraduates from across the world for an all-expenses-paid conference in Manhattan this November 8th through 10th, 2025. 

This year’s theme, “The Human Algorithm,” explores the evolving relationship between human intelligence and technology. As artificial intelligence and automation redefine the way we work, create, and connect, this theme challenges us to consider how innovation can amplify—not replace—human ingenuity. From finance to entertainment, healthcare to climate, we’re spotlighting the moments where collaboration between people and machines creates real impact. Through keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions, we’ll explore what it means to build systems that are not just efficient, but ethical—rooted in empathy, creativity, and the complexity of human experience. This year, we ask: how do we shape technology to reflect our values, rather than letting it reshape us?

Past keynotes have included Steve Forbes (CEO, Forbes Magazine), Muhtar Kent (Former CEO of Coca-Cola), Wendy Kopp (CEO and Co-Founder of Teach For All), Jane Fraser (CEO, Citigroup), Douglas Peterson (former President & CEO of S&P Global), Anthony Capuano (CEO of Marriott International), Scott Mills (President & CEO of BET+).

The application deadlines are below. Applicants are selected on a rolling basis, so applying as early as possible is recommended. International students are STRONGLY encouraged to apply in the 1st round and will have decreased chances of being considered in the regular round. **Follow @ic.businesstoday on Instagram for application updates!**

Eligibility Notice: Applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate students at a college or university. Graduate students (e.g., MBA, MA, PhD) are not eligible. Please note: students currently enrolled at Princeton University are not eligible to apply.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that there is now one additional way of being accepted to the International Conference: the Impact Challenge! For more information about the Impact Challenge visit https://ic.businesstoday.org/impact-challenge. To apply, visit http://tinyurl.com/ImpactChallenge2025. 

We will also be hosting a virtual International Conference, in which attendees will receive the opportunity to attend executive seminars and panels from wherever they are. The virtual conference will happen at the same time as the in-person one. If interested, please check "Yes" for the question regarding consideration for the virtual conference.

Please note that the application is susceptible to deleting progress when refreshing. It is recommended to complete the application in one sitting or save your work in a separate document.

Please also note that the Student Relations team has multiple A.I. detection tools that will be randomly used on applications. Please do not use any A.I. large language models when completing the written portion of the application.

Feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions. Best of luck!

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Resume*

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What is your gender?*
What is your race?*
What is your ethnicity?*
Are you a first-generation college student?*
Do any of the following apply to you?
1. US Citizen or National
2. US Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., Green Card holder)
3. Person admitted as a Refugee to the US
4. Person granted Asylee status in the US **
If you answered no to the question above, do you hold a US Visa?
If you selected "Other," please specify which type of US Visa you hold.
If you answered no, please list the embassies you would be able to travel to get a visa:
Will you be enrolled as an undergraduate student in November 2025? (note: the Business Today International Conference is only open to undergraduate students enrolled in a 2-5 year academic program)*
College/University*
What is your major/concentration?*
What is your projected graduation date? (month/year)*
Grade Point Average (GPA) (score/total possible)*
Have you been involved with Business Today in the past? (previous conferences, seminars, etc.) If yes, please describe your past involvement and any meaningful takeaways from your experience in less than 100 words. If no, write N/A.*
If you were referred to the IC by someone, please enter the code they provided here.
Are you applying as a day participant?

Check this box if you live within 90 minutes of Midtown Manhattan and are not requesting hotel accommodations during the three-day conference. Note: Day participants are still expected to attend all conference programming across all three days. Business Today does not cover travel or lodging for day participants, but we do provide meals and full access to all conference events (Direct questions to [email protected]).*
Reflecting on your own life, describe a time when you embodied the spirit of our theme, “The Human Algorithm”—where human creativity, empathy, or curiosity helped you make the most of a tool, technology, or system. This doesn’t have to be a high-tech moment. Maybe you found a new way to solve a problem, used a familiar tool in an unexpected way, or helped others navigate something complex. How did your mindset, perspective, or actions allow you to go beyond what was expected—by yourself or others? (250 words)*
Describe the world you come from (i.e. your country, your family, your community etc). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (250 words)*
Why do you want to attend the IC, and what do you hope to gain from the experience? (100 words)*
Give us a question that ChatGPT can’t answer. (25 words or less)*
Choose ONE of the following questions to answer, and indicate which one you are responding to in 50 words or less:

1) What’s the song of your life right now? This won’t impact your application—just tell us your favorite song! We love everything from Boogie to Beethoven.

2) If you were a kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?*
What fields/industries do you find interesting? This may be used to match you to relevant executive seminars at the conference.*
Would you like to be considered for the virtual International Conference if we are not able to offer a spot for the in-person conference?*
Optional: Create a ~1 minute video introduction to yourself! Tell us about your hobbies, what you're studying, and what industries you're passionate about, and why you want to attend the IC! NOTE: this should be a very informal video with no major sound effects or video editing skills required. Here is a link to a Youtube video that demonstrates how informal we want the video recording to be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FLtmVe8XNk. Remember to be yourself, and submit an unlisted or public video on YouTube that can be accessed via a link that you submit here in this application.
Are you planning to apply to the Impact Challenge? If yes, apply here: https://tinyurl.com/ImpactChallenge2025*
I would like to be considered for admission through:*
How did you hear about the International Conference?*
Human Check*