The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management announced today that it has been selected as the host of the 2007 Net Impact Conference, the world's largest annual gathering for MBA students and young professionals focused on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, international development and environmental management.

The event – which will be held November 2-3, 2007 on the Vanderbilt campus – will attract over 2,000 participants to Nashville to explore the latest ideas, trends, tools and careers that use business to achieve social good. The 2007 Net Impact Conference will be the biggest conference ever hosted by the Owen School, and marks Owen’s first time hosting the event. The school won the honor after a highly competitive process among Net Impact’s 100-plus chapters worldwide.

Founded in 1993, Net Impact is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the world by growing and strengthening a network of MBAs, graduate students and professionals committed to using the power of business to make a positive net social, environmental and economic impact. The organization boasts a network of more than 10,000 members worldwide, with chapters on five continents in 80 cities and 80 graduate schools.

“Our selection to host the 2007 conference demonstrates recognition of our ongoing commitment to the principles of Net Impact, which have long been a part of the culture and educational experience at Owen,” said Jim Bradford, Owen dean. “I congratulate our entire community, and especially our student leaders, for their successful bid to host this important event, and we look forward to welcoming these participants to our campus.”

The theme of this year’s conference, along with keynote speakers and other event highlights, will be announced in the coming weeks.