Business Today was founded as a magazine in 1968 by Steve Forbes, Michael Mims, and Jon Perel, who were students at Princeton University at the time.
Created in an era where business and finance was facing backlash from the public, Forbes, Mims, and Perel's magazine immediately caught the attention of the outside world.
Later in 1968, the three co-founders were interviewed on the Today Show with Hugh Downs, giving the magazine nationwide notoriety.
In 1974, the first official annual International Conference was held in New York City, inviting students from around the globe to participate.
In the 2010s, Business Today began greatly expanding its programming for college students, as well as increasing its editorial capacities.
Business Today also launched its first annual Breakout trip, allowing for 15 students to visit companies around New York City.
[3] Past keynote speakers at the conference have included Gerald Ford, Andrea Jung, Brad Smith, and Henry Kissinger.
The conference also holds a social entrepreneurship pitch competition, the Impact Challenge, which awards $15,000 in seed funding to the top student-created venture.
Over 75 executives attend the event, with speakers including Steve Forbes, Blair Effron, Fabrice Grinda, Michael Kratsios, and James Daunt.