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Global Symposium, Resources

X-Culture Global Symposium, Atlanta 2023



 

 

X-Culture / Academy of International Business Student Symposium

 

 icon-calendar  Dates:
26-28 October 2023

 icon-location-arrow  Location:
Atlanta, GA, USA
In collaboration with the Academy of International Business, Southeast USA Chapter

Hosted by:

  • Academy of International Business, Southeast USA Chapter
  • Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, CIBER
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Scheller College of Business, CIBER

 

icon-group  Number of participants:
Limited to 50 students.

The selection process is competitive. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrated excellence in past X-culture participation.
 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION
The 2023 X-Culture Symposium is co-organized with the Academy of International Business USA Southeast (AIB-SE) Chapter.
The target audience is X-Culture alumni interested in pursuing graduate degrees (Master’s, Ph.D.) and, ultimately, careers in academia, research, and development.
In addition to the business competition and career development program, the event will provide an opportunity to meet world-class International Business scholars, attend their research presentations, expand personal and professional networks, and learn more about the exciting world of International Business research and academia.
The X-Culture symposium is limited to a maximum of 50 students, and we anticipate a competitive selection process.
The Selection Committee will choose 50 participants from the list of interested applicants. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrated excellence in past X-Culture participation, but also with some consideration to maximize geographic and cultural diversity.
Please read the following information carefully. Then, if you are interested in participating, please fill out the application form. You can find information on the past X-Culture Symposia here.

X-CULTURE COMPETITION
To provide the Symposium attendees with opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and strengthen their resumes, the event program will include an International Business Competition similar to the general X-Culture project. The difference is that this time the team members will also work face-to-face and present their work directly to the client company.
Each student will be placed on an international team of about 5-7 students per team. Your team will be able to collaborate virtually for four weeks prior to the conference and then have some additional time in Atlanta to finish up your report working face-to-face.
On the last day of the conference, all teams will present their findings and recommendations to Executives from our corporate partner and X-Culture professors. Awards will be presented to the winners!
This year’s corporate partner is YYK, the world’s largest maker of zippers. Google the company and learn more about them. Fascinating! Chances are, the zipper on your jeans and your backpack is made by YKK.
Past corporate partners of X-culture symposiums include Hard Rock Cafe, Rackspace, Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, American Airlines, and the Home Depot.
The client company will provide a specific consulting challenge for you and your team that will provide a unique learning experience for you and adds value to the corporate partner.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
In addition to the X-culture corporate challenge, the program will include several other valuable sessions, such as meetings with entrepreneurs, academics, and community leaders, as well as access to all Academy of International Business Southeast conference events, including scholarly presentations, panel sessions, professional development workshops, networking, and social events. The conference brings together hundreds of the world’s leading International Business scholars and professionals from dozens of countries.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

  • Immediately 
    Apply to participate in the 2023 X-Culture at the AIB-SE event by completing the form below.
    Explore the possibility of travel support from your university or home community.
    Investigate the US visa application process (if applicable).For full consideration, please submit your application by August 15, 2023.
  • August 20
    The first wave of accepted applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program and will be asked to register for the conference formally on the conference portal.
    The registration fee for X-Culture students is $355.
  • August 31
    The goal is for all accepted participants to be fully registered for the conference by this date.
  • September 25 
    You will be assigned to a team, and the corporate challenge will be released.
    Prior to the conference, your team will work virtually to address the challenge provided by the corporate partner.
  • October 25 (or earlier)
    Arrive in Atlanta, GA
    You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to Atlanta, GA.
  • October 26
    Introduction to conference activities and meetings with corporate executives.
    Attend professional development workshops and sessions.
  • October 27
    Work with your teammates on the challenge, and attend professional development sessions.
  • October 28, morning 
    Work with your teammates on the challenge, and attend professional development sessions.
  • October 28, afternoon 
    Deliver presentation of findings and recommendations to corporate executives and X-Culture professors.
  • October 29, evening 
    Gala Dinner, Closing and Award Ceremony
  • October 29
    Return home or proceed with additional sightseeing.

COST
There are four components that make up the costs of attendance:
Conference Registration – $355. 
This includes:

    • Conference registration
    • Conference materials, welcome bag, name tag, printed materials, memorabilia
    • Access to all conference sessions, networking events, and meeting space
    • Transportation to the local companies and other off-site events
    • Breakfast and lunch for three days
    • Welcome dinner and final conference dinner
    • Award ceremony
    • Participation certificates and recommendation letters for all
    • Winner certificates and trophies for the winners

Hotel Accommodations
Usually, AIB-SE negotiates special rates with local conference hotels – we will share the discounted-rate booking codes with accepted students. You can also book your lodging via Expedia, Airbnb, or other travel sites. Expect to pay $100+ per room per night (big-name hotels will likely be charging $200+ per night, less known hotels might be cheaper, the price could be further reduced shared accommodations could be
Travel Cost
You will have to cover the cost of travel to/from Panama City, FL, and your U.S. visa costs if needed.
You are responsible for making your own travel reservation to/from Panama City.
U.S. Travel Visa
If you need a US visa, once registered, you will receive a letter of support to bring to your interview at a US embassy. Additional spending money.
Total cost

  • Registration: $355
  • Housing: about $50 to $150 per night, depending on which hotel you are staying at and if you’re sharing your room with another student or not.
  • Travel to Atlanta: $150 to $1800, depending on how far you have to travel. Tickets within North America will likely cost $200 to $400. Intercontinental flights may cost much more.
  • Personal expenses: $100+
    TOTAL: $550 to $2,000, depending on travel costs and hotel arrangements.

Travel Stipends
Generally, we do not offer travel stipends.
We may be able to offer a few travel stipends of $500 for students who travel from distant “developing” countries, with the priority given to the members of the winning teams and students who had the highest performance records, students who have also completed the Coaching Program, and professors.
HOWEVER, X-Culture will provide you with strong support letters for potential sponsors, such as your university, local firms, and organizations. Our experience shows that most students find sponsors, and our support letters help.

MORE INFORMATION

Please visit the AIB-SE home page to learn more about the conference and detailed information about the conference. This is also where you will register for the conference if you are selected to participate.
Please also visit the X-Culture Meetings page to learn more about our past symposia.

NEXT STEPS
Please fill out the application form with the required information. We anticipate a competitive selection process, and we will notify selected participants as soon as possible.
We hope to see you in Atlanta this fall for what promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience!
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Dr. Leilani Baumanis
2023 X-Culture at AIB-SE Coordinator
Lynn University
lbaumanis@lynn.edu
Dr. Amit Arora
2023 Academy of International Business SE-USA Conference Program Chair
University of the District of Columbia
amit.arora@udc.edu

 icon-arrow-circle-right APPLY (by invitation only)

Application Deadline: August 15, 2023 (11:59 pm EST)

 
Cancelation/Refund Policy
Conference Cancellation/Refunds Policy: Refunds will be processed on an individual case basis. There will be a $25 processing fee for cancellations before 13 October 2023. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after 13 October 2023 or for no-shows.