Take charge of your future at the IMA Student Leadership Conference (SLC2021), to be held in a virtual format on November 5, 2021. SLC2021 is a can’t-miss day-long event targeted exclusively for students and academics—and everyone can attend from the comfort of their home or classroom. It’s being offered as a free member benefit for IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) student and academic members, while the cost for nonmembers is $25 for students and $120 for educators (which includes one year of IMA membership). Registration is now open at www.imaslc.org.

SLC2021 promises a jam-packed day of inspiring and informative speakers. Keynote sessions include:

  • Leading vs. Leadership: An Executive’s Perspective (featuring Michael J. Sammis, President, Universal Publishing Production Music) – Hear from one of the top music publishing executives on the current state of the music business and how it has been transformed by technology. He will also share his thoughts on career development and leadership.
  • Being Human in the Age of Digital Innovation (featuring Jeff Butler, Workplace Generation Expert, Technology Speaker, and Author) – Listen as Jeff Butler unravels which technological changes to anticipate and how their integration impacts the workforce, not only from a business perspective but a sociological, psychological, and existential one as well. 
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Why It Should Matter to You (featuring Loreal Jiles, VP, Research and Thought Leadership, IMA) – Join Loreal Jiles as she presents the impact of DE&I on business disciplines and shares resources for you to learn and grow.
  • Develop an Analytics Mindset (featuring Kimberly Swanson Church, Ph.D., BKD Professor of Leadership and Director, School of Accountancy, Missouri State University) – Dr. Church will explain the role data analytics plays in the accounting and finance functions and why you need to stay ahead of the curve.

An additional session, “Upskill with the CMA,” will offer insights into how students can succeed in their first professional positions by taking the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) exam. Panelists include three CMAs working at multinational companies, who will discuss the value of the certification to their careers and their organizations.

SLC2021 will also feature a Virtual Career Expo, where students can connect with well-known companies looking to recruit for entry-level and internship positions. Please note: Students who plan to participate in the Career Expo portion of the Conference should be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available. 

“We’re pleased to offer this Conference to student and academics and to make it so accessible to everyone via this virtual format,” said Jodi Ryan, CAE, IMA director of member engagement. “We’ve assembled a great line-up of speakers and with the Virtual Career Expo, a way for students to make connections for their first job or that coveted internship.” 

Some fun and educational networking events are also planned. There will be the always-anticipated T-shirt design competition—held virtual style. Students are encouraged to have their school participate and join in this popular event. The winner receives $500 for their school or student chapter. The day will conclude with an exclusive concert by The Oscillators, a Nike band featuring a few musically inclined CMAs. 

For complete details, including registration information, please visit www.imaslc.org. To keep up with the latest news, join the conversation at #VirtualSLC2021 on IMA's Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.