On July 11-12, 2011, a group of 22 senior executives, asset managers, and other interested participants came together for a dialogue about the role of business in society and how to best combat market short-termism. The summit, facilitated and hosted by the CVSG of the Aspen BSP, built on an ongoing dialogue and body of work about the role of business and society. This summit continued on the work that the CVSG has facilitated since 2003. A reflective summary from the summit is available, and so too is the list of participants.

On January 19, 2011, the CVSG along with the Committee for Economic Development (CED) and the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance at Yale SOM convened a small roundtable of academics and practitioners focused on research questions related to the role of institutional investors in the current corporate governance context. In September 2011, a paper was published by CED and the Millstein Center identifying a future research agenda.

"How do you measure success?" was the theme for Aspen in New York's Business and Society Forum 2010, hosted by Aspen BSP in partnership with Bloomberg Television and the Stern School of Business, NYU and sponsored by Accenture. A day-and-a-half of public conversation explored the measures of business health, societal progress and the big questions that link the two. The Forum featured one-on-one interviews and dialogue among leaders of business, government and society on October 26 and 27.

In June 2010, the CVSG hosted an off-the-record dialogue, "Strategies of Purpose-Driven Firms," in Aspen, CO. For one perspective from the Summit, check out this blog entry from a participant.

On June 2, 2010, the Aspen Institute held an afternoon roundtable, "Executive Compensation and the Missing Connection to Firm Performance," with Yale University's Millstein Center for Corporate Governance in New York City. The discussion focused on new academic research that calls into question the presumed links between CEO compensation and firm performance. 

The CVSG worked with The Concord Coalition to hold "Tax Incentives for Patient Capital" in Washington D.C. on May 6, 2010. The roundtable focused on tax incentives for more patient capital, building on one idea put forth in the September 2009 “Overcoming Short-Termism” public policy statement. A list of participants is here.

Aspen Institute Business & Society Annual Forum (November 2009, New York City): "Capitalism and the Future" was the theme for our first Aspen-style public conversation in NYC held November 3-4, 2009. We featured a mix of business movers and shakers--from CEOs/Chairpeople Jeffrey Hollender, Indra Nooyi, Eric Schmidt to leading thinkers in education, capital markets and even religion (www.AspeninNYC.org). The 2nd Annual Forum happened this past October 26-27, 2010 with our partner, Bloomberg TV, and cast of Bloomberg anchors.

Beyond the Crisis: Foundations of a New Regulatory Regime (June 2009, Boston): On June 10 at Faneuil Hall, Executive Director Judith Samuelson moderated a panel on the contours for regulating future capital markets and directing capital investment to protect and enhance the public interest. The session was part of a two-day Summit on the Future of the Corporation: Restoring the Primacy of the Real Economy, hosted by Corporation 20/20. In conjunction with the Summit, Corporation 20/20 published a paper series in which Judith Samuelson and Rebecca Darr, Senior Fellow to Aspen BSP's Corporate Programs, co-authored, "Beyond the Crisis: Policies to Foster Long-Termism in Financial Markets."

Communicating with Strength and Purpose in Times of Uncertainty (December 2008, New York City): On Dec. 15 at the NYSE, Aspen and Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics held an off-the-record meeting of senior financial executives and financial analysts. The session was rooted in the Aspen Principles, which encourage corporate-investor communications to focus on the long-term. John Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP and Lara Warner of Credit Suisse were instrumental in making the event happen.

Sustainability: Leadership Required (November 2008, New York City): The Business for Social Responsibility conference presented leading innovators in responsible business and explored sustainability challenges with an international audience of 1300. Business & Society Senior Fellow Rebecca Darr moderated "Long-Term Value Creation vs. Quarterly Earnings." This breakout session addressed how leading companies & investors are de-emphasizing short-term financial metrics. Panelists Peter Knight, co-founder of Generation Investment Management, Lara Warner of Credit Suisse, and Gene Capello of Pfizer highlighted a silver lining in the current market chaos: companies that can articulate compelling, long-term value opportunities.

Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Leadership Series (October 2008): This Thought Center webcast, "Blueprint for Growth: Building a World Class Board," is the fourth in a series designed to provide viewers with the latest information from the front lines. Deborah Norville (host of TV's "Inside Edition") moderated a conversation between Judith Samuelson (Executive Director, Business & Society Program) and four other panelists as they discussed what it takes to identify and attract the best board members to help businesses succeed --and remain-- in an uncertain global economy.

Council of Institutional Investors: Thinking Long-Term (October 2008, Chicago): BSP Executive Director Judith Samuelson moderated a panel, "Exploring Change for Long-Term Value Creation," at this three-day biannual event, hosted by the Council of Institutional Investors.

Best Practices in Earnings Guidance and Communications Symposium (September 2008, New York City): The Business and Society Program collaborated with Bloomberg, Business Round Table Institute for Corporate Ethics, CED, CFA Institute, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to shed light on best practices and alternatives to the current quarterly earnings guidance system that promote better investor-corporate communications. The half-day symposium featured Bill Donaldson, Bob Pozen and others. Business & Society Executive Director Judith Samuelson participated in "Looking to the Future," a panel that discussed important communication steps between investors, issuers and analysts, and questions that need to be better understood.

Yale Governance Forum (June 2008, New Haven, CT): Hosted by the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance and Performance, the Yale Governance Forum provides a venue for participants to discuss and debate key current issues in corporate governance. Judith Samuelson (Executive Director, Business & Society) will participate in a session considering the question: Should short-term owners have a say in a company's long-term strategy? Other panel participants include Steve Odland (Chairman & CEO, Office Depot), Andrew Shapiro (President, Lawndale Capital Management) and John Sunderland (Non-Executive Chairman, Cadbury Schweppes).

Social Venture Network (May 2008, New Jersey): SVN's Annual Member Gathering  brings together visionaries in business, economic justice and social enterprise, to reconnect and inspire one another. The Principles will be showcased in a panel on short-termism titled "A Compelling Case for Change -- The Aspen Principles," moderated by Judith Samuelson.

Aspen Environment Forum (March 2008, Aspen, CO): At the inaugural Aspen Environment Forum, Judith Samuelson, Executive Director of the Business and Society Program, moderated a panel titled "Sustainability in Practice: Managing the Long View," which considered how -- and to what effect -- leaders in banking and investment can encourage long-term thinking.