Doha, Qatar (28 March 2012)
Top thinkers on innovation and entrepreneurship from around the world will be speaking at EO Majlis in Doha during the first ever Arab world event by Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), on 31 March and 1 April. The event will bring together over 60 of the most distinguished entrepreneurs from around the GCC and the world under one roof for workshops, lectures and networking opportunities.
EO Majis will be open to the public on 1 April and take place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), featuring three world-renowned speakers.
Making his first appearance open to the public in Qatar is Charles Leadbeater, a leading authority on innovation and creativity. He has advised companies, cities and governments around the world on innovation strategy and has been ranked by Accenture as one of the world's top management thinkers. He is the author of several books, including 'We-think: the power of mass creativity', which charts the rise of mass, participative approaches to innovations from science and open source software, to computer games and political campaigning. He is a past winner of the prestigious David Watt prize for journalism.
Also speaking is Ben Casnocha, a San Francisco-based entrepreneur, author and blogger who founded and runs several ventures. Mr. Casnocha became an entrepreneur in his early teens with a venture selling gumballs and pens has gone on to found several web and software companies. He has been named by BusinessWeek as, "one of America's best young entrepreneurs" and "one of the most influential people in the world of internet and politics" by Politics Online. He is the author of two books and has written over one million words for his blog.
Verne Harnish, founder of two world-renowned entrepreneurship organizations, Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE), joins them. He is the founder and CEO of Gazelles Inc, which is an outsourced corporate university for mid-size firms. He is the author of 'Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Fast-Growth Firm', which has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Korean, and several other languages. He has chaired the renowned 'Birthing of Giants' entrepreneurship leadership program at MIT for 15 years and was named one of the 'Top 10 Minds in Small Business' by Fortune Small Business Magazine.
Also speaking will be high profile Qatar-based business figures and experts including CEO of Enterprise Qatar (EQ) Ms. Noora Al-Mannai and CEO of the 2020 Olympic Bid, alongside President of Qatar University (QU) Dr.Sheikha Al-Misnad.
The event will include panel sessions discussing the role of education in creating the next generation of entrepreneurs, and how innovation and creative thinking can be harnessed by regional businessmen to forge new opportunities.
President of the EO Qatar Chapter, Khalifa Al-Misnad commented that the event will provide an important learning experience for budding entrepreneurs and established businessmen.
"We are proud to host a very impressive list of speakers who are at the forefront of thinking in the worlds of entrepreneurship and innovation and can offer firsthand knowledge and inspiration to all those participating. It would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors Enterprise Qatar and Standard Chartered Bank, and I am delighted that they have made a genuine commitment to entrepreneurs and SMEs in Qatar", he added.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Enterprise Qatar (EQ) Noora Al Mannai said: "We are proud to be sponsoring EO Majlis, the first EO event to be held in Qatar. EO is considered an important platform for businessmen and entrepreneurs, and holding this event in Doha is in line with EQ's commitment to help build strong foundations for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs in Qatar and contribute to a healthy environment that supports creative and innovative entrepreneurs. Given the rapid changes taking place in the global market, the development of small and medium enterprises is proving to be at the core of a diversified, knowledge-based economy. It is no surprise, therefore, that this sector is expanding rapidly in Qatar. This event will offer participants a rare opportunity to build and strengthen networks and conduct business in a supportive atmosphere. It will highlight new innovations and ideas, bringing the SME and entrepreneur sector to the fore".
CEO for Standard Chartered Bank in Qatar, Charles Carlson said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring EO Majlis and excited by the world class line-up of speakers. The aims and objectives of this Majlis mirror the objectives of Standard Chartered, which is essentially to support the State of Qatar's 2030 vision of economic diversification in the country as well to create the right business environment for sustainable development of the SME sector in the country."
The schedule has been designed to help participants maximize networking opportunities, with planned visits to Qatar's cultural and historical highlights. Visitors will also experience the traditional Qatari activity of pearl diving.
Tickets are available in advance at the W Hotel or at the door of the QNCC.
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About the Entrepreneurs' Organization
The Entrepreneurs' Organization is a dynamic, global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Membership in one of EO's 120 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 41 years old with annual revenues of US$17.3 million. For more information on the Entrepreneurs' Organization, visit www.eonetwork.org or call +1.703.519.6700
Press Release 2012
