Forbes CEO Conference!!!

President of Calvin Klein















Congressman John Brademas















MD of Vonage (www.vonage.co.uk)















Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou the founder of Easy Group

CEO and Founder of Aramex

So its been a really exciting last couple of days while attending the Forbes Middle East CEO Forum. It was invitation only and probably the most A list event I have heard of and for sure been to while here in the Middle East. The first day of course was extremely exciting because it brought everyone together for the first time. I got a chance to meet all kinds of interesting executives from around the world. Specifically I got to sit down and do an interview with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou who is the founder Easy Group ( the parent company of Easy Jet, Easy Cruise, Easy Hotel etc, mainly based in Europe but expanding rapidly worldwide over the past couple of years. As well as a Jordanian Fadi Ghandour who is the CEO and Founder of Aramex based in the Middle East but expanding rapidly internationally. As well as New York University President Emeritus and former Congressman John Brademas. Now this guy was pretty interesting, former congressman for 22 years, the last three of which he was the majority whip, also was Chairman of the board of the New York Federal Reserve bank, also on the board of the NYSE, NBC, Colombia pictures, Texaco and Loews to name a few. Man could he tell you stories. But it turns out that we were talking and his going to work on getting someone high up in the US administration either from the State department of Commerce to get us a letter of support for my new project in Saudi. This day was also interesting because in the last closing session the moderator I believe it was the publisher of Forbes USA, quoted the queen of Qatar. I thought this was a little strange until I saw her with people all going up to her after it was finished. She is an absolutely beautiful women and very graceful, and very approachable.

The next day was interesting as well, I was able to meet the Chairman of the board for BMW and current Microsoft board member. As well as do an interview with the President of Calvin Klein. It was interesting hear him talk about the success CK has when it goes international like it is currently in the Middle East. Speaking about the brand name recognition that it has. This is easily seen when I think of Amber but especially Heather in High School with her CK stuff. I know what your thinking no I didn’t get any free clothes but he told me to call him next time I am in New York for us to meet up.

Did I mention yet that this event was being held at the Four Seasons Doha!!!!!! It’s a great hotel with the best services imaginable. People to open up the door for you wherever you go, a woman that plays this harp looking thing every time another session of the conference is about to start, and I became a big fan of the tea breaks – I know I know very snooty. Not to mention the wonderful lunches everyday. I almost got to where I felt like I was in the UN with the ear buds attached to the box where you could hear the speeches that were in Arabic (there were a few in Arabic) translated in English.

Today, was also a really fun day, starting out with the process of getting my Visa from Saudi. I thought when I went I had all of the paper work but of course I was missing one form so they said. But I think that I was able to get it all worked out and they have started processing the application. I of course ran into Steve Forbes the CEO and Editor in Chief of Forbes Magazine US several times. He is actually going to be a distinguished editorial speaker for my Saudi project that I think he will bring a lot of value and depth to the project. So I am really excited about him being there. I also got to hear an interesting overview of the telecom sector here in the Region and internationally. Afterwards I was planning on doing the interview with the CEO of Vonage. But we were all told to take our seats because we were having a special guest arriving any second. Soon after we had the doors being opened everyone standing up in amazement and it was Steve Forbes escorting His Royal Highness the Emir of Qatar along with two of his wives. The first beautiful one I had meet two days before. It is a pretty amazing feeling one that is pretty hard to describe, the same as I felt when meeting the HRH the King of Jordan. Anyways it was pretty interesting the topic that HRH the Emir joined in on was on the Media and its effect on the economy. During which Steve Forbes was called on to discuss the reality that the free-er the media is the more robust and growing the economy is. Kind of interesting having this discussion considering who was sitting in the room. Throughout the discussion a team of butlers from the hotel were making ice drinks and cokes for the table with the Emir. Half way through which one of the wives stood up and walked out while the audience stood as well. After the talk was done the Emir stood and began going around the room, well really the room started going around him introducing himself and talking. It was amazing, especially seeing his fleet of white Rolse Royce’s outside the front door.

Overall the past couple of days, were amazing, I really felt like it was worth wild not only in the cool people that I meet but also the knowledge that I gained. I mean in a way it was like college classes but more fun then that. Only one more day left and then it’s the weekend!!!!!!!!!