We are excited to invite you to join the Graduate Student Research Conference in Business and Economics (GRADCONF), which will be held during May 25-26, 2017 at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus in Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota, Florida is home to amazing beaches including the #1 beach in America (Siesta Key), museums (The Ringling Museum), art galleries, state parks, lakes, and other attractions such as the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the G-Wiz Museum, and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. USF Sarasota-Manatee is easily accessible by two airports (Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport-SRQ and Tampa International Airport-TPA). GRADCONF Conferences are organized by Association of North America Higher Education International (ANAHEI) and sponsored by University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Florida, USA.

GRADCONF 2017 aims to bring together researchers, scientists, scholar and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas, and research results about all aspects of business and economics and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted. English is the official language of the conference. We welcome paper submissions.

 Topics of interest for submissions include, but are not limited to:

1. Accounting
2. Consumer Behavior
3. Corporate Finance & Governance
4. E-Business & IT
5. Econometrics
6. Economics
7. Finance & Banking
8. Hospitality & Tourism
9. Human Resource Management
10. Innovation & Entrepreneurship
11. International Trade
12. Management
13. Marketing
14. Social Science Studies

Important Dates:

Abstract submissions deadline	February 1, 2017
Abstract acceptance notification	February 19, 2017
Full paper submissions deadline	April 15, 2017
Conference dates	May 25-26, 2017

Submission Categories:

*All documents should be written in only word document (.doc or .docx) formats. 

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION INCLUDING “NAME, UNIVERSITY, AFFILIATION, AND CONTACT ADRESS” IN THE “PRE-SUBMISSION” DOCUMENT AS THIS CONFERENCE USES DOUBLE BLIND PEER REVIEW PROCESS.

• Help for EasyChair Submission
• Click here for EasyChair Login Page for GRADCONF

Conference Registration Fees:

Types	Registration Fee	Late Registration (After March 15, 2017)
Authors / Observers	US$275	US$350
Students	US$150	US$195
USF Students	US$75	US$100

Please note that there is no cancellations after March 15, 2017.

Conference Fee Include:

• Attendance to the conference
• Conference materials with final program, badge and proceedings
• Luncheon
• Welcome Reception
• Complimentary Access to the Ringling Museum (on Monday)

Click here for GRANDCONF Registration

Important Notes:

• After your submission is accepted, you are required to:
  (1) send your final version of your abstract in required conference format
  (2) make your full payment first and register.
• At least one of the authors must register for the conference, otherwise abstract will not be published in the conference proceedings.
• There will be no refunds on cancellations received after April 1, 2017.  For cancellations please contact us.

Conference Session Formats:

Sessions will vary in structure in order to provide a robust conference experience for presenters and participants. Presenters are asked to identify their preferred format in their proposal; however, proposal reviewers may suggest alternative formats and/or the combination of like topics for shared concurrent sessions.

1.  Concurrent Presentations

Concurrent Presentations  are sessions that present research, theory, concepts, and practices. Concurrent sessions are 20 minutes long and consist of one presentation for the full 20 minutes. Submissions are required to be either conceptually- or empirically-based. Conceptually-based papers seek to develop a fuller understanding of the field by building on existing knowledge. Empirically-based papers are original research to test or develop a theory or make a new contribution to the knowledge base of the field.

2.  Poster Presentations

Poster Presentations provide an opportunity to present and discuss one main research theme, program, practice, or relevant topic in an informal setting, somewhat like an exhibit hall or information fair. The poster session submission includes: (1) significance of the study, (2) literature preview, (3) proposed methodology, and (4) implication/application for education. A good poster session centers on one main theme, presents useful information, and stimulates discussion. Presenters use poster materials needed to cover much of one side of a 4′ by 8′ standing position.  Additional information will be provided to presenters that are accepted to present at the 2017 conference.