Innovation, while an undeniable catalyst for success in the business world, doesn’t develop on its own. A dedicated group of MBA students in Queen’s School of Business wants to dig deeper and explore how ideas are transformed into actual business practices.

“We are at an interesting crossroads in the Canadian and world economies, where strategies of the past will not necessarily work in the future,” said Christina Waters, MBA’12 and co-chair of the third annual summit. “That’s why we wanted to focus on how innovation is a key strategic tool for future personal, corporate and societal success.”

While other conferences tend to centre on technological developments, the organizers want to broaden the focus and demonstrate how every sector is affected by it. Leaders from companies, institutions and think tanks from across North America will discuss the best way to use emerging strategies, concepts, trends and ideas to create sustainable competitive advantage.

The MBA students also hope to empower individuals from all faculties and departments to understand what they themselves can offer a firm in terms of innovation, which can then affect the society they are a part of.

The conference, organized and operated entirely by Queen’s MBA students, was the first of its kind in Canada when it launched in 2009. For more information, visit the event website.