6 distinct events – C2 Montreal, Academy of Extraordinary Experiences, CES, Barefoot Business Retreat on a Yacht! Share their stories Best Business Events of 2024.
C2 Montreal
Anick Beaulieu, CEO of C2 Montreal, was the first to speak, talking about how the event, held from May 21 to 23 at the Grand Quay in the Port of Montreal, is a playground for business and creativity (the two Cs).
In what she calls a “curated moment of opportunity,” more than 5,000 senior business leaders have the opportunity to network with other professionals they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. These include exploring a “black hole” suspended 30 feet in the air and participating in a class called Neurodiverse Lasagna, where they made lasagna together as part of learning how to be more inclusive.
The Academy of Extraordinary Experiences is a five-day event held every year from September 23rd to 27th at Kliczkow Castle in Poland, attracting 108 experience designers from some of the world’s top brands.
As Dean Klaus Rasted explains, this is not your typical university. Participants must pass an interview to participate, and registration fees are charged on a sliding scale. Inside the castle, they were free in their robes and had a whole day to decide what to discuss. Finally, an offboarding process prepares them to leave the “magic circle.”
International Consumer Electronics Show
CES 2024, held from January 9 to 12, drew 138,000 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center and venues around Las Vegas to see everything from flying cars to see-through TVs.
John T. Kelley, vice president and show director of the Consumer Technology Association, the show organizer, said managing a conference of this size is no easy task. This includes planning continuous traffic around the city and curating tours to help attendees focus on the exhibitors that are best for them – breaking down large shows into communities of interest.
Barefoot doing business on a yacht! Held on board two modern 15-cabin yachts sailing in the Adriatic Sea in Croatia from 28 September to 5 October.
The concept is the brainchild of Liz Lathan and Nicole Osibodu, founders of The Community Factory and Club Ichi, and is part of the Barefoot Business Retreat series. Two attendees—Jill Ann Leithner, executive director of event production at Intel Corporation, and Kafi Joseph, former chief of staff for the metropolitan area at Accenture—shared how to escape the daily grind that brings of change, making connections and delivering unique learning content tailored to their circumstances.
Fast Company Innovation Festival
The 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival took place across New York City from September 16th to 19th, attracting thousands of attendees, including students, businesspeople, and CEOs. MV Live Senior Vice President Kristin Mooney shares highlights from this year’s 10th anniversary event, including “The 10 Most Innovative People of the Past 10 Years” including Ryan Reynolds and Jose Andrés character’s speech.
Other standout features include “Fast Track,” city field trips to some of the city’s most innovative companies; a “Taste of Innovation” dinner; and creative events with a mission to give back, from Tony’s Chocalonely chocolate bars to a Goodmart pop-up shop .
All Things Future Festival
Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal senior vice president and head of live news and events Helen Bassett shared an inside look at the Future of Everything Festival, which attracted 1,200 attendees in New York City from May 21 to 23.
The Wall Street Journal’s approach is to let guests choose their own adventure; there’s a festival stage, a futuristic stage and a “lab” featuring innovative products. This year’s speakers include Whole Foods founder John Mackey and Paris Hilton. The event expands across the city, including evening parties at fine restaurants and Broadway experiences. We place a strong emphasis on sustainability, sourcing from local suppliers and repurposing event venues.
All 6 events had many common themes, including a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability; how they brought attendees together in a creative environment where they could meet people they wouldn’t otherwise have met ;their ultimate shared goal—to create transformative experiences.
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