The events at GIBS, the flagship events (such as the IRE Conference, startup competitions, and network evenings), play a fundamental role in providing the opportunity to form relationships with industry leaders through practical and personal means. Those who attend will have the opportunity to hear about the experience that the CEO, founder, investor, senior manager has experienced; to hear about current trends in the industry; and to receive tips for their career—this is very different from reading about them in a textbook and is invaluable to students' education. At startup competitions, students can pitch their ideas and receive real-time feedback from industry professionals; these experiences provide students an understanding of how real businesses are assessed of value. Networking evenings give students access to professionals in an informal environment where they can interact with them on a one-on-one basis, ask them questions, and potentially exchange contact information and explore possible internship opportunities. Through regular attendance at these events, the students develop confidence and communication skills and create strong professional contacts. Many students have developed new contacts which lead to mentorship opportunities, project work, or job interviews through attendance at these events. Overall, these flagship programs ensure that our students gain exposure and develop relationships with professionals through their attendance at many of these events, allowing them to be prepared for the industry and develop connections before they graduate .
