Davos Or TED? Here's 14 Conferences For 2014
We have limited time, so which are the best conferences for leaders to attend next year? Which have the best content, speakers and networking opportunities? And if you only had one week free – and money wasn’t a factor – for the big one, would you go to Davos or TED?
We’ve looked at a wide range of events to cover geographies, areas of interest and also budgets that people will have. The conferences below are mainly meant for senior people, but they can also be good events for people who are aspiring to be leaders to attend.
So here’s is our pick of the top 14 events – we have included both the organizer’s claim for each one as well as our own view.
(1) World Economic Forum
January 22-25, Davos, Switzerland
2014 Theme: The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Politics, Business and Society
https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2014
The biggest global networking event. The expected business, politics and economic content, but also some very interesting sessions on topics affecting humanity more widely. Most people go for the networking and most of this is done behind closed doors. There’s an online social network that goes live during the week, with access provided online and at online kiosks situated at the major hotels. Given the quality of the peer group, many CEOs and leaders are much more open to meeting than usual. The parties are fun, although have been scaled back in recent years.
Insider tip: The main hotel to hang out on the fringe and meet people is the Belvédère.
The big challenge for the World Economic Forum (WEF) is a frustration that it doesn’t fully realize the opportunity to make a concrete difference to the world, and ends up being more of a talking shop. Event themes are often too broad and general to stimulate discussion on what to do, and speakers are often established brands rather than emerging movers and shakers. In addition, leaders from a numbers of countries, notably China, have been turning away from Davos. The risk for WEF is that there are several interesting emerging forums, which are eroding Davos’s elite global event position. Despite this, Davos still remains the place to meet the most global leaders in one location, but may need to renew itself to keep this position.
Organizer’s Description:
“Profound political, economic, social and, above all, technological forces are transforming our lives, communities and institutions. Rapidly crossing geographic, gender and generational boundaries, they are shifting power from traditional hierarchies to networked heterarchies. Yet the international community remains focused on crisis rather than strategically driven in the face of the trends, drivers and opportunities pushing global, regional and industry transformation. Our aim is to develop the insights, initiatives and actions necessary to respond to current and emerging challenges.”
Ticket information:
To attend the official Davos conference, you need to be a member of the World Economic Forum, which costs c.$50,000/year To attend the private industry sessions at Davos, this membership needs to be upgraded to Industry Associate ($137,000) The Davos ticket costs $19,000/year. Plenty going on around the conference fringes.
(2) TED2014 & (3) TEDGlobal 2014
TED2014: Vancouver, Canada: March 17-21
TEDGlobal: Rio October 6-10 2014
https://www.ted.com/pages/registration
The place to go for fresh, new ideas, and interesting and diverse people. Virtually sold out but the place in go in 2014.
TED started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Increasingly, TED is becoming the hub for creativity, fresh insights and cool people. It is getting traction with creative, novel formats, and really interesting speakers rather then the established branded names. In addition, it is building a powerful TED community based on sharing content, including inspiring TED videos, and, for wider accessibility, TEDx and the TED Fellows program.
This year is the 30th anniversary of TED and the theme is the ‘Next Chapter’. TED is inviting back the top 30 speakers of all time, and so it could be spectacular.
TED has worked hard to be a global rather than a US-centric forum. As the eyes of the world shift to Brazil for the Soccer World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Rio Olympics, TEDGlobal adds some valuable emerging markets flavor to the international conference circuit.
Organizer’s Description (TEDGlobal):
“In a new theater on Copacabana Beach, we'll present a speaker program that explores a slate of topics interesting to anyone who watches the global south as it rises in influence and power. From the creativity behind the newest architecture to innovative business models that respect the realities of the south ... from exuberant art that lives beyond traditional markets to relevant new science, impactful design and social-justice issues ... we'll use the TED lens on issues of interest to not only the Southern half of the world but all of it.”
Insider tip: For a taste of the modern city of Rio – both its hopes and its challenges, watch a TED Talk. ‘The 4 Commandments Of Cities’ from Mayor Eduardo Paes:
https://www.ted.com/talks/eduardo_paes_the_4_commandments_of_cities.html
(4) International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
January 7-10 2014, Las Vegas, Nevada
The leading consumer technology and products show. Features networking opportunities and demos of the latest electronic equipment.
Organizer’s Description:
The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables CE innovations to grow and thrive. It is the global stage for innovation. The International CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $195 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry.
Insider tip: Tickets are $100 until Jan 2nd 2014 when they become $200.
(5) Horasis Annual Meeting
January 21-22 2014, Zurich, Switzerland
https://www.horasis.org/event_all_annual_2014.php
An up-and-coming global forum founded by Frank Richter, who was previously a key player at the World Economic Forum. A positive start needs to continue to attract more heavyweight leaders but maybe a good pre-event appetizer to Davos.
Organizer’s Description:
"The Horasis Annual Meeting aims to be the foremost annual gathering of business leaders from emerging and developed markets. The meeting’s purpose is to advance solutions to the most critical challenges facing corporations today. Like in previous years, the Horasis Annual Meeting will provide opportunities to interact with political leaders, Chief Executive Officers and investors from countries around the world."
2013 speakers included: F.W. de Klerk, Former President of South Africa, Samir Brikho, CEO, AMEC, Mikael Hagstrom, President International, SAS Institute, USA, Surong Bulakul, CFO, PTT, Thailand, Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman, Hasbro, USA and Sung-Joo Kim, Chairperson, MCM Holdings, Korea.
(6) WPP Stream India 2014
February 12-15 2014, Jaipur, India
Named by WIRED magazine as one of the world’s best tech conferences, Stream is advertising agency WPP’s “(un)conference”. Hosted by CEO Sir Martin Sorrell and Israeli investor Yossi Vardi, Stream brings together WPP clients together with industry leaders to think about the digital future and what that means for communications, creativity, and business.
Organizer’s Description:
“None of the usual conference rules will apply. There will be no keynote presentations, no panel discussions and no ‘networking breaks’. Instead, we expect everyone to roll up their sleeves and get involved for three days of discussion, debate and collaboration. Over the three days, there will be over 100 discussion sessions, Ignite talks (15 slides in 15 seconds), the pitch show, tech lab, cooking, a cinema, elephant polo and more.”
Attendance is by invitation only.
Insider tip: Other companies such as Google and Facebook have developers’ conferences. Increasingly expect and look out for interesting events coming out of progressive corporations.
(7) Wisdom 2.0
February 14-17 2014, San Francisco, USA
https://www.wisdom2summit.com/
A fascinating fusion of the latest management and personal development thinking; a promising new conference brand. Lots of genuine thought leaders from the tech world and beyond.
Organizer’s Description:
“Wisdom 2.0 addresses the great challenge of our age: to not only live connected to one another through technology, but to do so in ways that are beneficial to our own well-being, effective in our work, and useful to the world. Through our series of conferences, meet-ups, and workshops, Wisdom 2.0 strives to bring this conversation to the world in an accessible, innovative, and inclusive way.”
2013 keynote speakers included: Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, Bill Ford, Arianna Huffington, Pierre Omidya, Founder, eBay, Evan Williams, Co-Founder, Twitter & wisdom teacher Eckhart Tolle
Tickets from $625.
(8) Mobile World Congress
February 24-27 2014, Barcelona, Spain
A massive exhibition for the mobile industry, at which every major company other than Apple showcases and launches new products. Given the impact of mobile across everything, this event may still be worth attending even if you’re operating outside the mobile industry.
Organizer’s Description:
“As the mobile industry continues to diversify, how will the roles of the traditional and emerging members evolve and with what impact? In 2014, Mobile World Congress Conference will examine the present and debate the future of our industry with in-depth analysis of the trends that are shaping it. Running across the full length of the Mobile World Congress, the 2014 Conference program will continue to be a central focus for the event, challenging and educating attendees whilst covering the latest technological developments, next-generation services and growth strategies.”
Keynote Speakers for 2014: Daniel Hajj, CEO, América Móvil, John Chambers, Chairman & CEO, Cisco, Jon Matonis, Executive Director & Board Member, Bitcoin Foundation & Rich Riley, CEO, Shazam
(9) Super Returns International & (10) Super Returns US
February 24-27, Berlin, Germany
https://www.icbi-superreturn.com/
June 9-12, Boston, US
https://www.superreturnus.com/
The premier event for the private equity industry, which continues to attract the real heavyweight founders and leaders of the PE and investing world. SuperReturns take place around the world but the main gatherings are in Europe (typically in Berlin) and in the US.
Organizer’s Description:
The world’s largest private equity and venture capital conference. 2014 will include some new closed-door sessions for an uncut discussion into some of the thorniest topics in private equity.
Kevin Albert, Partner at Pantheon says: “It's the New York of conferences. It's the biggest, it's the best and it's the one you want to make it at.”
Keynote speakers include: Guy Hands, Chairman & CEO, Terra Firma Capital Partners, David Rubenstein, Founder & Managing Partner, The Carlyle Group, Charles R. Chip Kaye, Co-President, Warberg Pincus, Miriam Schmitter, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates, Henry Kravis, Founding Partner, KKK, Leon Black, Founding Partner, Apollo Global Management & Alastair Campbell, Director Of Communications under Tony Blair’s UK government.
(11) China Green Companies Summit
Early April 2014
https://www.daonong.com/English/cec_pg.html\
Founded by the China Entrepreneur Club (CEC) on April 22 (Earth Day), 2008, the summit is the first and most influential international cross-industry conference to focus on business sustainability in China. This is the one gathering where a majority of China’s top 50 leaders attend and speak. This forum is thriving and likely to be even bigger in 2014. We expect it to take place in a Tier 2 city.
Organizer’s Description:
“The China Green Companies Summit is dedicated to promoting smart, long-term economic and social growth. Established in 2008, the Annual Summit, held on Earth Day (April 22) each year, annually hosts over 1,000 guests from China and abroad, including business leaders, political decision-makers, academic authorities, NGO representatives and influential journalists, each bringing global foresight and drive for reform to the event. The Annual Summit has been widely recognized as one of the most influential business forums dedicated to sustainable development of China's economy.”
Last year, the 2013 China Green Companies Summit was held in Kunming, the Capital of Yunnan Province, under the theme of ‘Rethinking Business and Sustaining Growth’. Hosted by Liu Chuanzhi, Founder of Lenovo & Chairman of Legend Holdings, the summit welcomed over 1,000 guests including domestic and international officials, talks focused on dividend and profit incentive reforms as well as the meaning responsible economic development.
(12) Forbes Global CEO Conference
2014 date and venue TBC, 2013 event was from September 3-5 2013 in Bali, Indonesia
https://www.forbesglobalceoconference.com/
A well-run global event with some good CEO speakers often in fantastic locations. To live up fully to the prestigious Forbes brand, we’d like to see even more top-flight CEOs.
Organizer’s Description:
“This annual event is attended by some 400 global CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, up–and–comers, capitalists and thought leaders. As the world economy regains its footing, how can leaders of economic governance keep crisis at bay and put in motion the right policies that will bolster confidence among investors, companies and consumers? How can global CEOs and entrepreneurs take the reins and lead the pack with both speed and endurance? How can they strategize to be the first in the most promising markets and dominate? How should leaders who are facing voters run for power?”
Attendance is by invitation only, and open to CEOs, Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Presidents. Tickets cost $8,000 and include social events.
(13) World Business Forum
October 7-8 2014, New York
https://www.wobi.com/event/world-business-forum-new-york-2014
World Business Forum is a premier large-scale business event held in the US. A number of big name CEOs and branded thought leaders. Historically a bit too US-centric, but starting to include more global leaders.
Organizer’s Description:
“A transformative experience dedicated to building better businesses, better people and a better world. A platform to expand, connect, unite, distribute and multiply ideas. A space dedicated to democratizing knowledge, best practices and cutting edge insight. A global meeting point for those who strive to create, grow and accomplish. A powerful network of businessmen and women with a belief in the transformative potential of talent, enterprise and endeavor.”
Key speakers confirmed so far: Author Malcolm Gladwell, Peter Diamandis, CEO of the X Prize Foundation, Ian Bremmer, Expert on international risk management & Ken Robinson, leading thinker on innovation
$1,790 before 29 November, $2,700 after
(14) The Third Metric: Redefining Success Beyond Money & Power
2014 dates TBC
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/third-metric
The Huffington Post’s first ever women’s conference took place in June 2013 in Arianna Huffington’s New York apartment. International follow-up events have happened in London and Munich.
Organizer’s Description:
"We've all bought into this male definition of success, money and power, and it's not working. It's not working for men, and it's not working for women. It's not working for anyone.” Describing the third metric, Arianna said, “It's a women's conference - with many good men included. It's leaning in and also leaning back, leaning back in order to unplug, recharge, and renew ourselves.”
Inaugural keynote speakers included: Arianna Huffington, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to Barack Obama, Sallie Krawcheck, former president of Bank of America’s Global Wealth & Investment Management division, MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski, Tony Schwartz, President, Founder & CEO, The Energy Project, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods & Mark Bertolini, CEO, Aetna
You can view the keynote sessions and the live blog is still active at:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/06/third-metric-live-blog-updates_n_3391377.html
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There’s some great options above, but if I had just one week to go to an event, my personal vote would be for TED, for its combination of content, powerful speakers and interesting people.
I hope to see more interesting events emerge in 2015. Just imagine the interest if BBC leveraged its global brand or if LinkedIn created a Global Influencers' conference…
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By Steve Tappin
Chief Executive, Xinfu, Host BBC CEO Guru & Founder, World Of CEOs
Steve is a personal confidant to many of the world’s top CEOs. He is the host of BBC ‘CEO Guru’, which features in-depth, on-the-record interviews with the CEOs of the biggest and fastest-growing companies. Founder Of WorldOfCEOs.com, Steve is the author of ‘The Secrets Of CEOs’, which interviews 200 CEOs on business life and leadership.
Photo: Christoph Wilhelm / Getty Images
Growth & Culture Consultant
10 年Does anyone know of any awesome and not too expensive professional venues in downtown SF for around 160 person capacity where they aren't going to hit us with huge food fees? Can't be a party venue (like Temple night club, even though it's gorgeous) and doesn't have to be so upscale (like a hotel ballroom). Surely this research has been done many times over within my network!
President, PRPL Fork Inc. -Award-worthy events strategist and manager, PR and event marketing communicator, global perspective ideas guy with a fork.
11 年Great list of conferences to consider. Lucky to be in Vancouver for TED on the fringes. There may soon be a worthy addition to your list announced for late 2014 in Cape Town.
CEO at SLAP Company. NY Times Bestselling Author. Latest Book: "Under the Hood". #EmployeeCulture
11 年STAN SLAP’S FOUR KEYNOTE SPEECH TOPICS 1…2…10!? A strategy doesn’t have to be planned well, it has to be implemented well. “Implemented well” starts with enrolling your employee culture in fierce support of the goal: you can’t sell it outside if you can’t sell it inside. In this mind-blowing keynote, Slap will explain exactly how your employee culture works and how to work it. This is the most valuable competency if you need to achieve results through others and the subject of his forthcoming second book. Bury My Heart at Conference Room B? Your managers’ emotional commitment is worth more than their financial, intellectual and physical commitment combined. It means managers promoting and protecting the company like a personal cause and it’s what companies mean when they say they want their managers to be leaders. Why a manager should give it and how they can ignite it in their own teams is the subject of Slap’s New York Times-bestselling first book and is used by many of the world's best companies to achieve extraordinary success. Tough Times, Tougher Teams? “Whining” is not a strategy and “Victim” is not a job description. Successful companies take the same accountability for their mistakes as for their successes. In this blistering, funny and empowering speech, Slap debunks the most common excuses for poor performance and provides the foundation for creating a solution mentality throughout any company, in good times and tough times. The Hungry and the Hunted?Becoming a brand is the ultimate achievement for any company because you transfer sustainability to your customers, who advertise and sell for you, and protect you if necessary. To become a brand you need to secure the deepest trust of both your employee and internal cultures and to be branded for how you sell, not just what you sell. In this speech, Slap, developer of many legendary brand strategies, will show how a company becomes a brand and explain why brand success is not about marketing and is in the hands of every manager and employee. Contact me via LinkedIn to book slap for an event.
Chairman of International Forum for Clean Energy Technologies
11 年LET US DISCOVER A NEW LIEDERSHIP FOR A NEW AGE! SERBIA HAS TO BE FOCUSED TO ACHIVE THAT!
Women's Support Coach, Writer and Retreat Owner
11 年Davos and Forbes for me and our own Leadership Development Conference Cruises https://lucyharper.com/category/blog/leadership-events/