Conference News: Global Forum Returns; Speak at ICON; Axios on What’s Next
Meet in the Middle (East): Created in 1995, the FORTUNE Global Forum has brought together the CEOs of the FORTUNE Global 500, with “innovators, builders, and other selected experts to explore the key issues shaping global business.” This annual by-invitation-only meeting gathered participants virtually in 2020 and 2021, but didn’t take place in 2022. Last week, Fortune announced that Global Forum would return, this time in Abu Dhabi (traditionally moves to a new city each year) on 27 – 29 November under the theme A New Era for Business. The program will consider this theme around six topic pillars that are influencing the direction of global business: Market and Trade Dynamics, Geopolitical Tides, Emerging Technologies, Talent Shortages and Workplace Shifts, Climate Risk, and Consumer Trends.
MPW (Next Gen) Moved to May: The FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit brings together rising women stars in business (typically C-suite execs from companies with $500 million in revenue) as well as leaders across government, philanthropy, education, sports and the arts to discuss how they can affect real change in business and society. The event is typically held in the late fall (November or December). Since the Global Forum is returning to its November timeslot in 2023, Most Powerful Women Next Gen will move to the spring timeframe. This year’s gathering will be on 16 – 17 May in San Diego.
Speaking Opportunity: PRSA has opened its call for presenters for their International Conference (ICON 2023), being held from 15-17 October in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The deadline for submitting proposals is 3 March. A few tips to consider if you are proposing a topic/speaker: “Priority will be given to proven presenters whose proposals are forward-thinking and deliver fresh, compelling content. Proposals that are interactive and/or provide an output that participants can use immediately also are strongly encouraged.” Also, they are looking for a variety of presentation formats, but proposals that identify more than three panelists (including moderator) will not be reviewed or considered.
Conference Manager Q&A: Axios was launched in January 2017 based on one belief: “The world needed smarter, more efficient coverage of the topics shaping the fast-changing world.” In addition to its news coverage, they also host events and conversations throughout the year, such as their What’s Next Summit in March and BFD in May. Speaker Strategies recently sat down with Axios Senior Director, Talent Management & Producer of Events Elise Norris to find out more about her plans and role.
Speaker Strategies: What is the most important trait of a good speaker?
A good speaker shows up at the time they are told for an event (only half kidding!). In all seriousness, I believe the most productive and memorable speakers are those who are willing to go off script a little and be more candid in their delivery onstage. Talking points aren’t bad but sticking to them as your only course of answering can be boring sometimes. As the chosen ‘experts’, speakers should feel comfortable to discuss their topic conversationally. We have found that the best sessions tend to be a dynamic back and forth versus something scripted.
Speaker Strategies: What about your next event excites you the most?
Axios will host our second annual What’s Next Summit in Washington, D.C on 29 March. Since it is a one-day summit, the agenda will be jam packed with newsy, captivating content – So it’s tough to narrow down to just one thing I’m most excited about! As the name of the summit suggests, we source speakers who are on the cusp of futuristic breakthroughs within the metaverse, space travel, technology, and more. This year’s speaker lineup includes familiar faces from both inside and outside the DC Beltway across a variety of industries-all of whom are sure to make a mark in 2023.
Coming Up Next Week: Developed by Informa and the Saudi Ministry of Communication and IT (MCIT), the 2023 LEAP Summit will mark the event’s second year 6-9 February in Riyadh. LEAP was designed to spotlight the innovation, technological developments, and business best practices coming out of the region’s economy. At AdExchanger Industry Preview (7 February; New York), speakers from Disney, Google, and NBCUniversal will explore “Innovative Marketing Strategies for the Year Ahead in Commerce Media, CTV, Identity and Privacy.” Digital Entertainment World – aka DEW – will run 7-8 February in Marina del Ray, providing a B2B event and marketplace for global media and technology executives to evaluate the digital media landscape. Frost & Sullivan runs an Innovation Workshop & Tour at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on 7 February, as part of a quarterly series that will also offer tours of MIT and NASA later this year. Finally, on 9 February in San Jose, this year’s Economist Impact Data Dividend series commences, exploring how businesses can harness the power of people, processes, and technology to unlock value from data.