The Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum

One of Forbes.com's "Seven Get-Ahead Executive Retreats"

Where do the nation's most successful companies get together with the world's top CEOs, sources of capital, industry experts, government officials, and a standing-room-only crowd of peers? The Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum.

The 2008 Forum will take place November 12-16 in Palm Springs, Calif. Convened by Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice, the Forum is part of our commitment to guiding high-growth companies through the many challenges they face on the road to market leadership. View this year's program.

The 2008 Forum will feature an exciting and inspirational keynote address by Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric, in addition to several other prominent speakers.

The Forum concludes with the 22nd annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards, hosted by Jay Leno. It's the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America, honoring the men and women who start and grow market-leading companies.

Request your invitation today.

Why you should attend the Forum

Our speakers

The speakers at the 2008 Strategic Growth Forum include Jack Welch and some of the top names in the world of high-growth companies and entrepreneurship. See who's speaking.

Is an IPO the right next step?

An initial public offering is one way to secure the capital investment you need to grow your business, but it’s not the only way. What's the right move for you? Top CEOs who have completed an IPO or other strategic transaction will discuss what you need to know.

Growing your company

Growth opportunities may be obscured by uncertain economic indicators and tightening capital markets. Meet and learn from the CEOs, investors, economists and business advisors who "have been there, done that" and uncover new business opportunities by thinking and acting green.

Celebrate top entrepreneurial achievements

Since 1986, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards have celebrated the men and women who start and grow market-leading companies. View video of past winners.

Countdown to the 2008 Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum

All the latest from the 2008 Forum

Ernst & Young is proud to announce these additions to the program:

• Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh
• Blueprint to a Billion author David G. Thompson

TV's "Inside Edition" host Deborah Norville will moderate a panel on entrepreneurship, and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno will emcee the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards ceremony.

What’s on the program

The dynamic program focuses on the most important topics facing the leaders of high-growth businesses today.

First-to-know information

The 2008 Forum features a variety of sessions, from green initiatives to IPOs to other topics crucial to today's high-growth businesses Read more about our sessions.

Insight from past participants

"I haven't taken a company public before, so the opportunity to both meet with colleagues who are thinking the same things as well as people who have already done it, is just a wonderful opportunity."
— Gail Marcus
   President and CEO, Caris Diagnostics

Read more about what past participants have to say.

What's new

Strategic Growth Leadership Series

Join Deborah Norville, host of TV's "Inside Edition," and a panel of leading corporate executives on 24 September, for an insightful discussion on the challenge of building a world-class board. This is the fourth webcast in the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Leadership Series. Don't miss this opportunity to learn what a good public company board of directors should look like.

If you missed "Blueprint for Growth", "Operational Effectiveness", or "Business Response to Climate Change" the first three parts of the series, watch the archives. Other webcasts will focus on entrepreneurial success (14 October) and business advice on growth strategies (15 November).

Watch the live webcast of the Alabama / Georgia / Tennessee Entrepreneur Of The Year banquet

The banquet will be webcast live from the The Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead on Thursday 26 June beginning at 8 pm. Share the excitement as we reveal the 2008 award recipients from Alabama / Georgia / Tennessee. Watch the webcast here.

Hot topics

Keep up-to-date with the latest Ernst & Young thought leadership on growth, climate change and IPOs.