This year's regional conference was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, the conference take place on March 28 and 29, 2009. The theme was "The Evolution and Ethics of Business in the 21st Century."

Given the current economic crisis, we thought topics relating to the evolution and ethics of business would make for timely discussion; whether you are an entrepreneur, a politician, or a CEO, having good ethics and an ability to adapt to a changing market environment are two qualities that will make or break your organization.

Below is more detail regarding the theme. The conference will be COMPLETELY FREE for all accepted applicants.

Evolution of Business: How do businesses adapt to ever-changing market dynamics?

* How do businesses balance short-term and long-term goals?
* How are businesses coping with rising energy prices? How do they incorporate energy scarcity into their long-term plans?
* Is it possible to stay competitive using “green” technology?
* What is the anticipated impact of the new federal administration’s regulatory policies?
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization?
* Are consumers more socially conscious now than they were 5 or 10 years ago?
* How have companies changed their advertising and marketing techniques over time in response to consumers’ changing tastes?

Ethics of Business: How do businesses evolve in a socially responsible way?

* In today’s energy crisis, what are companies’ stances on alternative energy, off-shore drilling, and dependence on foreign oil?
* How do businesses measure the benefits of outsourcing versus the pressure to “keep American jobs at home”?
* How do companies ensure that employees abide by their ethical standards?
* Do businesses have any obligations to foreign communities when expanding abroad?
* Do businesses have a duty to engage in philanthropy? Does it matter whether the company is public or private?
* To what extent does the environment influence corporate decisions?
* How have governmental regulatory standards changed in the past decade? Is increased regulation a reinforcement of ethical practice or is it simply a burden?