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Don
Buford, founder and CEO of the International
Institute for Business Information & Growth, LLC
(iiBIG), has almost a decade of experience
in the business-to-business executive conference industry.
He is also a successful entrepreneur, rainmaker and
leader, excelling in start-up and turnaround situations.
Prior to founding iiBIG in 2006, Don helped to set up
new offices, and created successful business development
organizations for three executive conference firms.
Most recently, he served as SVP Business Development
for a company that he joined in 2001, shortly after
9/11. In a classic turnaround situation, he created
a centralized business development organization, designed
a sales incentive program, recruited and trained new
employees, and managed and mentored a staff that, under
his direction, produced four-plus years of double-digit
growth in annual sponsorship revenue. By 2005, annual
sponsorship revenues exceeded 2002 by 142%.
Since entering the executive conference industry, Don
has created hundreds of networking, business development
and capital introduction opportunities for his corporate
clients. These opportunities have helped his clients
gather valuable business information and form new relationships
that have led to millions in new business growth.
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“In the last twenty
years, we have witnessed astounding technological
innovations that have changed the way business
is conducted – but one thing hasn’t
changed: PEOPLE. That’s why I founded
iiBIG.
As long as business organizations exist,
there will always be opportunities for people
who think BIG; People who stay focused on
the BIG picture. The business-to-business
executive conference format provides such
opportunities. It is our goal to create
these opportunities for our clients here
in the United States, and around the world
with integrity and hard work – and
always with our ‘ii’s’
on the BIG picture.”
-
Don Buford,
Founder & CEO, International
Institute for Business Information &
Growth LLC
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Before entering the executive conference industry, Don’s
entrepreneurial roles and ventures have included:
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CEO
of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI),
a worldwide non-governmental organization dedicated
to supporting wildlife and chimpanzee habitat
conservation in Africa and environmental education
around the world. Upon assuming the role of CEO,
the organization had less than $300,000 in the
bank – and overdue payrolls at its projects
in Africa. Within 18 months, Don conceived and
implemented a successful fundraising program that
increased support for conservation and education
programs to over $2 million per year. Don Buford
remains a strong supporter of the work of the
Jane Goodall Institute – and encourages
you to learn more – and to help - by going
to: www.janegoodall.org
“JGI
was at a very low point when I met Don.
He was indefatigable in breathing new life
into my organization. Without his help,
the work of JGI might not have been able
to continue.”
-
Dr. Jane Goodall,
DBE*, Founder, Gombe
Stream Research Center,
Tanzania and the Jane
Goodall Institute (JGI)
(*Dame of
the British Empire – the equivalent
of Knighthood - bestowed by Queen Elizabeth
II)
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Don
Buford and Jane Goodall meet with former
President Jimmy Carter at the Carter Center
in Atlanta, GA
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Don
Buford with Laurence Luckinbill and Lucie
Arnaz
at the 1993 EMMY Awards
in Los Angeles |
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COO
of Arluck Entertainment, a television
and stage production company, founded by Lucie
Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill. During his tenure
Don produced and marketed nationwide tours of
three theatrical and musical productions; and
was the producer of a two-hour prime time documentary
special for NBC Television, “Lucy &
Desi: A Home Movie.” Along with Executive
Producers Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill,
Don was awarded the 1993 Prime-Time EMMY Award
as Producer of the “Outstanding Informational
Special,” by the Television Academy of Arts
& Sciences.
| “Don
Buford set an example of honesty, hard work,
and diligence in pursuit of difficult (even
impossible) objectives; and with a super
applied intelligence that make him uniquely
inspiring as a business partner, guide and
friend.”
-
Laurence Luckinbill,
Co-Founder, Arluck
Entertainment, Inc.
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CEO
and founder of Don Buford Associates,
a political consulting firm with offices in Houston
and Austin, Texas. During the 1980’s, Don’s
firm lead political fundraising, marketing and
campaign management activities on behalf candidates
and ballot initiatives at the local, state and
Federal level. In 1984, Don won the Democratic
nomination for the United States House of Representatives
and – although unsuccessful in the fall
election – he was one of the top fundraisers
in the nation among candidates who challenged
incumbent lawmakers.
In
the 1970’s, prior to starting his own business,
Don served as:
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Chief of Staff to a Member United States House
of Representatives, Washington, DC.
- Director,
Government Affairs, Houston Independent School
District, Houston, TX.
- Staff
Director, Texas House of Representatives’
Committee on Public Education, Austin, TX
A
native Texan, Don Buford graduated from the University
of Texas at Austin with a BA in History, and a
far away look in his eyes. Don and his wife Jane
live in Port Washington, NY – and he is
the proud father of two children: Katherine, 23
(a magna cum laude graduate, currently earning
her Masters at Lesley University in Cambridge,
MA); and Alexander, 10 (the one with the binoculars,
keeping his ‘ii’s’ on the BIG
picture). |
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