Presented by the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, the Positive Business Conference Amplified brings together thought leaders and industry experts in a vibrant, interactive format designed to inspire organizations to ignite bold transformation that fuels a thriving world.
Over two days, leaders, scholars, thinkers, and changemakers explore real-world examples, engage with evidence-based tools, and share cutting-edge innovations to help participants ignite transformation in service of amplifying our vision of well-being. Too often in the past human and planetary well-being has been a sidelight or an afterthought in global organizations. We can no longer afford such limited attention to human and planetary thriving. This gathering elevates organizations to more effectively and creatively amplify a vision of well-being for all.
Since its inception in 2014, the Positive Business Conference has been a transformative gathering for leaders, professionals, educators, students, and change makers hungry to learn about the science of thriving organizations. The conference takes place annually on the University of Michigan campus located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“At Michigan Ross, we believe that business is the most powerful force in the world for influencing economic and social change. That change requires purpose-driven leaders who are highly motivated to build positive cultures that enable organizations and individuals to succeed.”
– Michigan Ross Dean Sharon F. Matusik
2025 Conference
Leaders from around the world will gather in Ann Arbor on May 15-16, 2025, to amplify our vision of well-being as an essential consideration for today’s organizations. As global business confronts urgent issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and social instability, our collective understanding of well-being is evolving to reveal its role at the very center of organizational excellence and success. Those charged with care for the well-being of others are reaching beyond traditional health or benefits-oriented measures and programs, developing a growing, holistic view of well-being that encompasses work-life integration, belonging and inclusion, deeper human connection, and the role of organizations in elevating society’s mental, emotional, environmental, physical, and social health.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet thought leaders, develop actionable insights grounded in the best science and evidence, and engage in a deeper exploration of critical topics such as mental health and resilience, strategies for promoting work-life balance, the cultivation of organizational cultures of well-being, and innovative approaches to whole-system thriving. People will leave with new ideas and new inspiration to amplify their vision of well-being and its role in their organization’s strategic success.
Attendee Snapshot
In 2024
- Participants’ primary reason for attending stemmed from a desire to engage with actionable ideas that would help them bring positive business to life in their organizations
- 95% of respondents said they are likely to refer someone to the 2025 conference
- Participants ranged from mid-level managers to CEOs seeking ways to foster a positive organizational culture
The Positive Business Conference Amplified reaches global leaders from over 20 countries invested in building thriving organizations. The majority of attendees are:
- HR professionals aiming to recruit and retain talent through a purpose-driven work environment
- Entrepreneurs and business owners seeking sustainable, values-based models of business success
- Consultants and coaches specializing in effective approaches to positive change
- Scholars and students interested in cutting-edge research on positive business practices
Positive Business Amplified reaches across industries and sectors, including financial services, consulting, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, technology, not-for-profit, education, higher education, and government.
Marketing
The Positive Business Conference Amplified invests in an integrated marketing plan to promote the conference. The featured element of the marketing and communications plan is a branded marketing email cadence established to drive attendance and generate awareness to our database of over 25,000 people. Extensive branded collateral materials are also developed with a robust digital toolkit shared with our promotional partners for distribution and amplification. A social media campaign is executed over a four-month period and a feature article is shared through all promotional channels.
Promotional partners include the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Michigan Ross, and Michigan Ross Executive Education.
Testimonials
“The Positive Business Conference felt like home the minute I arrived, meeting with people with varying ideas and purposes with a common goal to make a positive impact in the organizations or communities all around us. I took away several new relationships and ideas that have expanded my ability to make an impact in the conscious world we aim to collectively thrive in.” –Head of Organizational Health & Business Intelligence, Financial Services, Strategic Planning
“I was truly impressed with how engaging this conference was relative to other conferences I have attended in the past. This conference really helped me get inspired, focus on the positive, and actively think about how I can take the lessons I learned back to my workplace and put them into practice.” –Senior Quality Specialist, Education
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Center for Positive Organizations welcomes the opportunity to partner with values-aligned businesses and organizations.
Maize-and-Blue Partner: Contact us at pbconference@umich.edu to discuss the possibilities!
Number of sponsorships at this level: One
Benefits include:
- Premium placement of name and logo on conference website
- Premium placement of logo on all promotional materials including event program
- Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the conference with preferred seating
- Full-page advertisement allotment in event program
- Promotion at conference with recognition by conference emcees
- Recognition in event program thank you ad
- First opportunity to secure this sponsorship at the same rate for the 2026 conference
Friend of the Center for Positive Organizations: Contact us at pbconference@umich.edu to discuss the possibilities!
Number of sponsorships at this level: Ten
Benefits include:
- Placement of logo on the “Friends of the Center” webpage on conference website
- Placement of logo on the “Friends of the Center” page in the event program
- Five (5) complimentary tickets to the conference with preferred seating
- ¼-page advertisement allotment in event program
- Recognition at conference
- Recognition in event program thank you ad
Amplifier: $2,500 Scholarship Gift
Number of sponsorships at this level: Unlimited
Those who want to support the work of the Center for Positive Organizations and pave the way for students around the world to gain access to this field of study are invited to support us with a scholarship gift which will be used to offset the costs of free and reduced-price global student participation.
Benefits include:
- Recognition in the event program
- Recognition on the conference website
- Two (2) complimentary tickets to the conference
Please reach out to pbconference@umich.edu to learn more.
