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LLWB’s participation at the Entrepreneurs Forum, Beirut
“The “Entrepreneurs Forum” has gathered more than 50 exhibitors, as well as advisors and international experts over two days at Pavillon Royal, with the objective to support a nation of entrepreneurs.
The official inauguration took place on May 21st at 2:30 pm under the auspices of His Excellency, Mr. Mohammad Safadi, Minister of Economy & Trade, and in the presence of Mr. Patrick Laurent, Head of Delegation of the European Commission as well as a number of key economic figures in Lebanon. The ceremony featured as well a public address by Messrs. Adel El Shared, Vice Chairman and Managing Director Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and Mr. Maroun N. Chammas, President & CEO of Berytech.
Exhibitors hailed from professional companies and organizations covering various fields and offering several products, services, and sources of information especially tailored to startups, growing companies and small & medium enterprises (SMEs).
During the two-day forum -a first in the Middle-East-, Entrepreneurs benefited from an unprecedented chance to meet support institutions in ICT services, Finance and Risk Management, Auditing, Consulting, Training, as well as representatives from different Associations, Chambers of Commerce, and Government support agencies.
“This first Edition of the Entrepreneurs Forum is only a pilot version, said Maroun N. Chammas. We will build on it for next year and onward until it becomes a regional meeting point for all entrepreneurs and SMEs, not only from Lebanon, but also from nations all across the Arab world.”
On the sideline of the exhibition, a number of seminars were organized to feature expert speakers in various entrepreneurial topics such as: Unleashing creativity, thriving in the next generation of business, e-business, financing your enterprise, expanding or starting your business in other Arab countries, or how CRM can help your business grow,
In addition to the seminars, the Entrepreneurs Forum attendees had the exceptional opportunity to meet one on one with Lebanon’s prime experts in fields such as branding, business planning, law, taxation, finance, intellectual property, franchise, media relations, online marketing, and sales. These personalized consultancies with industry experts will provide invaluable, focused and free guidance to entrepreneurs.
Participants were also able to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. By presenting a complete business idea in only five minutes, successful entrepreneurs won valuable prizes and had their plans backed by interested investors.
As this event is designed as a platform for entrepreneurs to meet like-minded people, the founders have created a perfect business to business tool: “the Speed Networking Session”, an activity in which participants can build a direct professional network.
LLWB is very proud to have taken part in this Forum. Our participation had multiple facets, first it was an exposure to LLWB as a young and growing association in order to raise awareness on our activities and motivate women entrepreneurs to join us. On a second level LLWB has given the opportunity to some of its members to use the LLWB booth during these 2 days as an extra exposure for their start-ups, Mrs Fatina Nasser, Miss Sonya Sabbah, Miss Rima Saad, Miss Mira Serhal, and Mrs Najwa Tohme seized the occasion and went through this experience. And last but not least LLWB took part of a panel discussion through one of its very successful members Mrs Maya Bekhazi Noun, who shared her experience as Business Women along with other ladies and an Entrepreneur’s personal coach, the panel session was entitled “Benefit of coaching: Build your business and still take time off” .
This was the Entrepreneurs Forum first edition, it has been received with great enthusiasm and we are confident that it will become a yearly event on our calendars. The Entrepreneurs forum has attracted over 1500 visitors for its first edition and in just 2 days.
This experience has been a one of a kind event bringing together the expertise of the seasoned business developers and the zeal and drive of budding entrepreneurs. The activities, seminars, and exhibits within this forum have provided ideas and tools for a brighter entrepreneurial future in Lebanon and the region. We at LLWB are happy to have taken part of it.”
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