About the CEO is too busy: Usually there is a business process to declare outside interests that involves approvals from your direct manager and his manager an

About the CEO is too busy: Usually there is a business process to declare outside interests that involves approvals from your direct manager and his manager and doesn't require you to talk to the CEO directly. They keep a central register of declarations that the CEO rubber stamps. Maybe you can ask HR/Legal about getting that instituted. If this doesn't work it might be a clear signal that your current employer might not be aligned with your long term goals.