The Business Forum - Executive Meetings, Conferences, Business Luncheons - Round Table Discussions

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More than a quarter of a Century ago a small group of friends decided that sitting through a very carefully orchestrated sales presentation did not really serve our needs for learning very much about anything. So we just reversed the accepted system of providing information as it was at the time. We then created a situation where vendors of products, services or ideas would be invited to take five minutes to say "what they offered", and then agree to open the conversation by allowing our guests to question the vendor under the control of a moderator who would maintain a civil and meaningful discussion. If nothing else, we would learn what our peers were concerned about which would allow us to return to our organizations and investigate whether or not we should be concerned about it also. What has happened since 1982 has been amazing and today more than 1,000 members, sponsors and supporters across the world log onto this site every day of the year.

Lunch at The Biltmore ~ Video Video ~ The Business Forum ~ Video

We have organized meetings in a variety of formats for almost three decades that bring senior decision makers together to share lunch and discuss any subject that a sponsor wishes to bring to the table. We also publish White Papers from respected Corporate, Academic and Government organizations and experts: and we have a World Information web site that provides unbiased and uncensored information for anyone who truly values freedom of speech and access to factual uncensored information for building knowledge. In 2009 we formed The Business Forum Institute and began publishing The Business Forum Journal online.

Using our simple program any reputable organization can sponsor a Business Forum meeting, where we are able to assemble either a group of recognized experts, or a group of potential clients, to be a sounding board for any changes, new products or services the organization wants to gain input on; prior to making an investment of time and capital. We have also helped many well known organizations gain acceptance and sales that we never imagined we might accomplish back in 1982, to the point that some of the start-ups we helped to launch are today multi-national corporations known throughout the world. We have also organized forums for some of the best known organizations in the world. Just look at the partial list of the corporations, governments and other organizations that have sponsored our meetings.

The Business Forum for more than twenty five years has organized luncheon events where decision makers can meet and debate ideas and business concerns with experts and their peers. We are able, thanks to our personal contacts built up over more than a quarter of a Century of operation, to draw our guests from a wide diversity of organizations, governments and professions. The result is that at the forums we organize our guests can enjoy the opportunity to discuss new ideas, technologies and services with qualified experts and and their peers and can also voice their concerns and share experiences with their peers. In this manner we are able to help each other find solutions to current problems and thereby help to engineer change and advancement.

That The Business Forum Concept works, is proven by the list of sponsors shown on this page who have worked with us over the years; their testimonials and the comments of the decision makers who attend our forums as guests; and the fact that we have grown as we have, without sales effort, public relations or advertising, over the last 25 years. The Business Forum also organizes "closed events", where we invite small groups of experts with very specialized expertise and experience, that we are able to select from a wide variety of professions, disciplines or businesses, who are able to come together to share their personal knowledge in the development of new products, services, ideas, opportunities or alliances.

Any decision maker can register to be informed of new white papers as they are published and about upcoming events at absolutely no charge and with no obligation whatsoever; and may apply to attend our meetings should they be qualified to attend. They will find if they do that The Business Forum gives its guests the opportunity to enjoy a luncheon with their peers in a world class hotel and take part in a moderated discussion with recognized experts. Our program of Business Forums discussions and all that is published on our web site, has been chosen with the sole intention of helping our members and supporters to be more effective, efficient and enduring in their endeavors in the global economy.

We have been very fortunate to have been supported over the years by many Sponsors, who also believe in our concept and understand that only by debate and discussion with their clients, potential clients, their alliance partners and suppliers, are they able to hone their products and services to the point where they will be able to meet the needs of the market place. Most importantly though, because it pays for all of our operating costs, we are supported by people from all over the world with small donations. They obviously believe that what we are doing can help the world to be a better place. We are of course also grateful to our Members both individuals and organizations who believe as we do, that freedom to unbiased information and civilized and honest debate is the epitome of free speech, skills enhancement and the only fuel for a successful and prosperous society.

    Today, with our members, supporters and sponsors located all around the world, this web site has
    been developed to allow decision makers in other countries to benefit from our programs, even if
    they rarely have the opportunity to actually attend one of our luncheons or meetings in person.

Business Forum Luncheon held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California in 1982

The Business Forum 1982 ~ 2010

The first Business Forum Lunch was held in 1982 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California

Some of the Testimonials we have received over the years

The Business Forum has the perfect vehicle for sourcing Business Information, a concept with 19th Century sophistication and charm, 20th Century acceptance and trust in the business community and 21st Century answers and solutions.

Henry Guttentag, President,
Sunway Products Inc.

The Business Forum is unique on the West Coast for its ability to assemble a representative sample of the right people and engage them in commercial dialogue.

William H. Spuck, Program Director for Industry Affairs.
Jet Propulsion Laboratories

I commend The Business Forum for once again providing this important opportunity for the exchange of ideas and information.

Senator Barbara Boxer
The United States Senate

The Business Forum gives professionals a way to network with their peers, exchange views on current trends, manage risk and identify opportunities to lower cost and improve the customer experience.

John Radford, State Controller.
State of Oregon
President: National Association of State Auditors, Controllers and Treasurers

(We) are familiar with what you have accomplished sponsoring events that lead towards strengthening our economy. We support your efforts.

Robert Stark, Director.
NASA

The Business Forum provides a compelling setting for sharing the latest pragmatic ideas and best practices for improving business operations and performance through Information Technology. The emphasis on discussion and debate leads to very real insights for everyone involved.

Bob Kalka - Security Business Unit Executive
IBM - Tivoli Group

Just a word of thanks for the success of the recent business forums. It has been a great opportunity for Cisco to discuss issues with customers on a face-to-face basis outside of the normal sales process. We've been using it as a focus group without the one-way mirror. It lets us get frank feedback and opinions from some very hard to reach executives.

Kevin Flynn - Senior Manager, Security Technology
Cisco Systems, Inc.

Many thanks for providing this energized forum for interacting with seriously interested IT leaders across multiple industries. The wealth of experiential knowledge gathered enabled us to refine our go-to-market plans and develop customer advisory contacts quickly and effectively. I would recommend the Business Forum to my colleagues without hesitation.

Michael Lundblad - Director of Application Integration Management
Candle Corporation

The fact that you were able to arrange to have senior members of the Federal Bureau of Information, world class Internet and forensic experts and a cross section of leading Information Technology vendors together for five hours and openly and interactively address the issues affecting corporate managers, in a non-attribution environment, is unequaled. What is even more impressive, is that you replicated this program across half a dozen cities in four states over three months. We will be following up the contacts we developed through The Business Forum for months to come. Your program works!

Daniel T. Woolley, Vice President
Memco Software Inc.

Where else can I have access to so many people in the business community, network with my peers, hear world-class experts on subjects I need to keep up with and get a completely free first class lunch with absolutely no obligation afterwards . . .

Matt Gonzales, National Facilities Director
Toyota Corporation

Nevada officials were amazed at the quality and level of contacts we gained from luncheons with The Business Forum.

Robert Schriver, Executive Director.
State of Nevada Commission on Economic Development

The Business Forum is clearly well recognized in the West Coast business community (and) that senior business people value the process.

Alan S. Reiher, Commissioner.
The State of Victoria, Australia

Using The Business Forum to make the arrangements for them, anyone in the world can fly into town and set up a system of networking right away.

George Tice, General Manager
Los Angeles County, California

I was impressed by the quality of services offered by John and his team. He has created a tremendous network, dominated by key decision makers, visionaries and executives from a variety of industries. The topics are relevant, the audience is relevant, everything makes sense. Our organization will benefit immediately from our most recent participation.

Brett Nalder - SMB Leader Western Region
IBM Rational Software

The Business Forum is exactly the type of open environment where a free exchange of dialogue and ideas that are universally applicable can be discussed without bias. This allows for real-world examples to be used, real ideas to be vetted, real people to be honest, real learning to take place. I was impressed at the comfort level of the attendees and the level of participation. It is clear to me that The Business Forum serves its clients well and that the participants trust the Forum and each other, and that kind of established trust is invaluable.

Coley Moore - Corporate Systems
Array Networks, Inc.

We believe The Business Forum participation and 'can do' attitude has bridged the gap of transferring space applications to commercial users.
Dean A. Farmer, Technology Transfer Program Manager.
Rockwell International Aerospace Corporation

As you may recall, when Deloitte & Touché was first invited to participate in The Business Forum activities, I was quite skeptical as to whether you could get the audiences we need and whether it would result in an expansion of out consulting practice. We are pleased to report that we are very satisfied with the visibility we have received and the leads we are pursuing as a result. Consequently, we plan to continue our sponsorship of The Business Forum's luncheons as part of our marketing plan to expand the visibility of our consulting services throughout California. John, thank you for your personal efforts. Your participation in the luncheons is one of the reasons we believe they are successful. We look forward to a continuing relationship.
David R. Lewis, Jr., Partner
Deloitte & Touché

I just wanted to thank you for yesterday's Forum at The Biltmore in Los Angeles. What can I say? That you can get Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, SSP, SolSoft and SafeNet to participate at the same table is unequalled. The only other organization I know of that could put those eight companies into the room to be asked questions, is the Justice Department, and they could only do it by legal means. Then you pack in 36 of the top CIO's and CISO's in Los Angeles County! Absolutely brilliant - and the food and the service were 5 stars to say the least!

Dr. Paul Rosenthal, Professor of Information Systems
California State University, Los Angeles

The Business Forum delivers very lively debates on key topics of interest for the Information Technology community across a wide spectrum of industries. These discussions have provided us with a critical understanding of important issues as well as how technology can be employed in real world settings.

Ken Salzberg - System Technology Laboratories
Intel Corporation

The Business Forum has put us in a very good strategic position: Talking to the right people at the right organizations about the right solutions that we provide.
Michael Andrews, Western Region Marketing
Watson Wyatt Worldwide

In my current position as National Sales Manager for the TeamWARE Division of Fujitsu Software Corporation, I am constantly on the lookout for productive and intelligent venues to reach informed decision makers with our products and technologies. To this end The Business Forum has proven to be an invaluable resource and business development partner. Your forums put us in front of the right people in a relaxed and friendly environment. Fujitsu will continue to participate in your program and I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship.
Jason M. Rose, National Sales Manager
Fujitsu TeamWARE Division

I would like to thank you and your staff for holding the various meetings and luncheons on Composites. We made a significant number of contacts and helped enlighten our view of opportunities in this market. Your adeptness at facilitating the meetings was a key factor in their success.
James A. Koshak, Vice President, General Manager
CIBA/Geigy Composites

The luncheon program (you) organized on our behalf has been very successful for the Royal Danish Government Consulate General. We especially believe that the meetings related to the environmental sector have found the right format, thus proving to be very productive for the participants, the guests, and this Consulate General. We look forward to working with The Business Forum in the future.
Lasse Reimann, Consul General
Government of Denmark

I wanted to let you know that you have delivered exactly what you promised with The Business Forum. First, you provided us with a forum for delivering a message that simply cannot be delivered by any other means. Second, you did a great job of bringing together the right people at the right level to listen to that message. Third, and most importantly, the result has been that the IT executives we were trying to reach are now not only aware of the information security problems they face, but they are now interested in solving these problems. An added bonus from our participation has been the creation of new strategic partnerships that we would not have considered prior to our participation. With what we have learned through this engagement, we have repositioned our offering and are consequently able to handle the greater volume of business that The Business Forum is bringing to us.
Michael Tiemann, Director of Business Development
Cygnus Support Systems Inc.

I believe that The Business Forum provides a unique and very effective marketing vehicle to deliver a message to a well targeted audience. I have recommended that Data General continue to utilize this forum. It is an ideal method to interface with decision makers.
Michael O'Neill, Marketing Director
Data General Corporation

While it is not yet possible to accurately evaluate the full impact these meetings have had in new business for Norris Environmental Services, I must admit that the revenue growth we have experienced since we started hosting The Business Forum meetings has been impressive. In the eight weeks since adding your services to our tactical marketing mix, we have experienced a growth of gross revenue of over 27%!!
Richard A. Henninger, Director Sales & Marketing
Norris Environmental Services

The Business Forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss product and industry issues with both customers and competitors.
Tim Shumate, Director of Marketing
BP Chemicals (Hitco) Inc.

I wanted to take a minute to comment on the program you developed to address the issues affecting corporations in their quest to protect and secure their information resources. Over the years, I have participated in a number of events designed to address the various issues affecting business leaders and their use of information technology. In all those years, I have rarely found a program or an event that actually delivers all that it proposed. The program, vendor participants and business leaders you brought together for The Business Forum sessions we took part in, in my experience, are unmatched. Our return on our marketing investment dollar was far greater than we anticipated. When, we consider the associated costs of participating in an industry trade event, hosting a seminar series or participating in an exhibition, I must weigh the resources required to build, staff, execute and follow-up, face-time with the participants or prospects and what I expect the number of qualified leads the event or program will generate. It is clear, that my marketing dollar was well invested when we participated in your program. What was most impressive was the number of senior level attendees The Business Forum attracted and the open interaction generated with industry leaders. This was well beyond my level of expectation!
The fact that you were able to arrange to have senior members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), world class Internet and forensic experts and a cross section of leading Information Technology vendors together for five hours and openly and interactively address the issues affecting corporate managers, in a non-attribution environment, is unequaled. What is even more impressive, is that you replicated this program across half a dozen cities in four states over three months. We will be following up the contacts we developed through The Business Forum for months to come.
Daniel T. Woolley, VP Business Development
Memco Software Inc.

I would like to take a moment to express our gratitude for the work that you do, as well as for the relationships that have been fostered for us by The Business Forum. In the space of three 90 minute lunch meetings, Panda has created a great first impression with over 50 large corporations. We have already entered software evaluations at five companies, including a 5,600 employee hospital and a global law firm.

Jonathan Gael - Enterprise Solutions Group
Panda Software, USA, Inc.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for what The Business Forum has been able to achieve for us. Using the round table luncheon format, your organization was able to provide a highly interactive setting for Axiom to share observations and insights with a targeted audience. This interaction has been extremely useful in helping us temper our market messages and enhance our prospect database. Furthermore, The Business Forum was able to accomplish this for approximately fifty (50%) percent less than it currently costs Axiom to promote and conduct this type of event on our own.
Brian Bouren, Executive Vice President
Axiom

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A Little Bantering~Just for Fun

The Founders of The Business Forum

The Etiquette of Formal & Business Dining

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parties with which it deals, or is associated with, accept
absolutely no responsibility whatsoever, nor any liability,
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