BBB, University of St. Thomas Announce Second Ethics Summit

Burnsville, Minnesota – February 5, 2013 – The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB), in partnership with the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business (UST), will host the second annual Business Ethics Summit on Wednesday, February 20 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. The event will take place on the University of St. Thomas’ campus in downtown Minneapolis, where business leaders, ethics officers, college students and professors will gather to take part in a free-flowing dialogue about the critical role business ethics plays in today's workplace.

“Last year’s Business Ethics Summit was such a success that it was obvious it had to become an annual event,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “We feel by bringing current ethical leaders together while incorporating the viewpoint of today’s students, the ensuing discussion will really resonate and pay dividends in the future.”

The 2012 Business Ethics Summit witnessed ethics officers and executives from General Mills, CenterPoint Energy, Best Buy and many other leading firms discussing real-life ethical scenarios their companies have faced or face on a regular basis. A recurring theme from last year’s Business Ethics Summit was the correlation between strong ethics and long-term success. Among many notable quotes from last year’s event, Dean Christopher Puto of the Opus College of Business stated, “The reward for being a good business is profit.”

KSTP’s Tom Hauser returns as event moderator, and Karen Himle, who is on the Board of HMN Financial and previously served as Vice President of University Relations at the University of Minnesota and Executive Vice President and President of The Children’s Hospital Foundation, will be the keynote speaker. Panelists at this year’s event include: Mary Benhardus, Handi Medical Supply; Dr. Stuart Dalton, White Bear Animal Hospital; Heather Hille, The Toro Company; Keturah Pestel, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; David Rodbourne, Center for Ethical Business Cultures, UST; and Terry Stamman, Twin Cities Siding Professionals.

“As a leader in the field of business ethics education and research,” said Dean Puto, “the Opus College of Business is proud to facilitate ongoing discussions about ways to turn theory into workplace practice.”

In an effort to broaden the conversation about ethics today and encourage participation during the event, the BBB has launched a Twitter hashtag, #BBBSummit. BBB staffers will moderate a “Tweet Wall” during the event, providing updates on the event and subsequent discussions.

The Business Ethics Summit will also once again offer the Better Business Bureau Ethics Showcase (bbbethicsshowcase.org/), an online gallery of business ethics materials used by top companies and institutions. Continuing education ethics credits are also available and can be earned for several professions. Contact Mackenzie Kelley at 651-695-2482 or mkelley@thefirstbbb.org with questions or for more information.

Registration is required and open to the public at BBBSummit.org.

Location: Terrence Murphy Hall, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Cost (breakfast is included): $29 / Person, $25 / BBB Accredited Businesses, Free / College Students