As the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (WSIE) six arc-like intertwined logo projected in the clear starry sky, over the moonlit
Gulf of Oman, the WSIE welcomed its honored gala dinner speakers – including H.E. Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman, Founder of the Chopra Center, Dr. Deepak Chopra, PepsiCo's Chairman and CEO of International Businesses, Michael D. White and Sam Hamdan, Chairman & Chief Strategist of Global Leadership Team – to share their image of the exceptional gathering.
Chopra shared his views of the WSIE as the beginning of an enduring journey without distance and without barriers bringing together people of different walks of life who have one common vision of peace for all, while White cited PepsiCo's support for the event's mission to use innovation and entrepreneurship as the catalyst for peace and progress across all emerging nations.
Opening Speeches were followed by a remarkable display of traditional folk dance that took captivated attendees back to the traditional heritage of Oman. Omani dancers swayed in synchronized series of steps, advancing and retreating while moving their swords and daggers in concert with their swift movements.
The enchanting Omani music and dance, accompanied with the sound of the waves of the
Gulf of Oman and WSIE’s rainbow-like ‘Colors of Innovation’ blanketing across the rocky mountains in the background, was indeed a soothing and memorable experience that all will remember for years to come
Dr. Geoffrey Oldham, Chair of Trustees, Board of the Science and Development Network
(SciDev.Net)
Benefited through Networking and making new contacts. Better feel for development in the Middle East. Greater sense of optimism than expected. Meeting was an innovation in its own right.
Cody Fisher, Student, St. Johns University
Benefited both in regards to networking and gaining an understanding of the issues facing Arab World development.
Issa S.Al Bulushi, Chairman, Gulf College
We benefited by sharing experience and knowledge in the field and meeting people and experts with mutual interest.
Hussaid Jawad, CEO, Al-Waqia shoes Co.
Meeting such high profile people is knowledge by itself.
Mathew Scott, Personal Finance Editor, Black Enterprise magazine
Great benefit in terms of learning about new cultures and the concerns of other countries.
Ms. Debra M. Amidon, Chairman & CEO, ENTOVATION International.
This World Summit provides a kaleidoscope of possibilities – each conversation serving as knowledge-in-motion. Inevitably, there will be a compounding effect of aspirations and action defining the landscape of our Knowledge Society. History will document our success.
Mohammad I. Makhlouf, CEO, Omni Oil Technologies
It was refreshing to combine such high intellectual content with the enthusiasm and dynamism of the young generation.
Dr. Leif Edvinsson, Founder, UNIC
This event was very inspiring and learningful.
Ms. Lynne M. Schneider, President, Enterprise Strategies & Solutions Inc.
The curiosity and eagerness of the participants to learn as well as the overall contribution of intellect was energizing. We traversed beyond the boundaries of culture, color, creed, and conversation to innovate and communicate!! An absolute must attend in the future.
Stephen R. DuMont, Vice President, Global Public Sector Practice, Internet Business Solutions Group, Cisco Systems, Inc.
A very good start in creation of an important vehicle for the emerging markets.
Richard (Rick) Stephens, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, The Boeing Company
The summit was a great opportunity to gather leaders from the region, and people of different business and educational backgrounds to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship that would help ensure good jobs and opportunities for the region and to reach out to the global economy.
Zafar Siddiqi, Chairman & CEO, CNBC Arabiya
The conference has highlighted and addressed the most important issues in entrepreneurship and innovation for the realization of creative ideas into enterprises.
Ms. Rana Abbadi, Chief Financial Officer, Mobinil
The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship is inspiring in finding fruitful therapy in innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Abeer Al Abwdani, Senior Business Analyst, National Investment Company
It is an event that enlightens us and makes us think and decide on creative innovation and entrepreneurship solutions in our respective
countries.
Leland Hardy, Founder of New York.com
Fabulous in developing new ways of serving and sharing information, which contribute to faster methods of solving problems.
Dr. Oliver Schwabe, CEO, Eurofocus International Consultants Ltd
WSIE was an unparalleled meeting of world-class practitioners dedicated to making a difference in tackling the challenges of innovation and entrepreneurship in today's and tomorrow's world. WSIE was the first heartbeat for a glowing contributor to sustainable global solutions.
David Wortley, Project Manager, NTI Creative Industries Centre for Knowledge Exchange, De Montfort University
The World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a major event to share ideas on how to develop innovation and entrepreneurship as a positive force for change around the globe. It was significant that the event was held in the Middle East as this part of the world seeks to develop its economy beyond the wealth of natural resources such as oil.
Kenneth P. Morse, Managing Director, MIT Entrepreneurship Center
Hugs to you and your wonderful team for an inspired success in innovation, entrepreneurship, and all the areas closest to my heart. It was great to be able to saddle up and ride out with you guys. Count me in for the next time. Until then, happy trails.
Abdullah Al Subyani, Chairman, Arabian Knowledge Economy Association
Thanks for the wonderful conference and gathering in Oman. Delegates will remember it for years to come. To me, it is a landmark for all of us towards a better future.
Mr. Thomas Stewart, Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Business Review
“It is a triumph! Good work!”
Mrs. Maria Livanos Cattaui, Vice Chair, International Crisis Group
Thanks for inviting me here and for the privilege of playing a wonderful and interesting role at this important event. You and ALL the team have been magnificent -- efficient, helpful, delightfully charming! You all deserve enormous congratulations. Please do this event again! With my warmest wishes, and all respect for your achievement.
Dr. Ken Johnson, CEO, Desert Knowledge Australia
A quick note of congratulations to yourself and your organizing team on the very successful WSIE. I can only begin to imagine the organizational challenge in making the event happen at all let alone doing it so smoothly and effectively. I'm sure the achievements of the meeting will resonate for some considerable time. It has certainly helped me in understanding some broader perspectives of innovation and entrepreneurship and giving me the opportunity of establishing some very helpful linkages.
Prof. Piero Formica, Dean,International University of Entrepreneurship
Warm compliments to you and your staff for such a brilliant conference both in content and organization.
Ms. Rosario Londońo, Multi-Sector Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
Once more congratulations for the WSIE! It was a complete success. I have been to many conferences around the world and few have made such a significant impact as this one. I like the fact that the summit promoted action and commitments after the event.
Rick R. Little, President & CEO, ImagineNations Group
Congratulations on the Summit. Well done. It was a great achievement and will certainly build momentum from here. It was also great for networking and connecting as well.
Dr. Jag Uppal, Department of Professional Studies, School of Business & Management, National University, USA
Warm congratulations for the first and an excellent WSIE. It was well organized, well attended and most of all, offered timely and substantive discourse on many crucial issues and topics.
