Collge of Business News: DEMBA Tour 07

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The Colorado State University, Denver Executive MBA class of 2008 recently completed a study tour to Belgium and Poland. Seventeen students and faculty visited several business and political organizations and cultural sites. The trip was coordinated with the assistance of Mr. Marek Siwiek, vice-president of the European Parliament and member of the College of Business Global Leadership Council.

The objective of the international trip for each DEMBA class is to maintain a deeper understanding of business practices, international relations, and underlying cultural traditions of the visited region. This year, for example, many of the visits underscored EU expansion and its implications on US business interests and security. Preparation for the trip began earlier this spring, with international expansion projects focused on the companies and countries on the itinerary.

The trip began in Brussels with discussions with representatives of the Solvay Business School, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Hogan & Hartson, InBev, EuroControl, and a visit to the European Parliament. InBev is the largest brewing company in the world and EuroControl manages all air traffic in Europe. The students also toured the Port of Antwerp.

The tour proceeded to Poland where the group visited with Dell Computer, the University of Warsaw, and the commercial section of the US Embassy. The Poland portion of the tour focused on Warsaw history and current development opportunities. The trip concluded in Krakow, Poland.

The value of the trip comes in the research and preparation for the tour as well as the interaction with the organizations in the host countries. The tour is part of the Global Enterprise course within the CSU Denver Executive MBA program and continues the tradition of global sustainable entrepreneurship within the College of Business.