MICROSOFT TAKES SPONSORSHIP SPOTLIGHT AT FIRST ‘SUMMIT’ SYMPOSIUM

World’s leading IT company to discuss best-of-breed e-business strategy, expertise and experience – October 22-23 2000

Microsoft is named as the sole sponsor of Summit Dubai, the region’s first-ever business symposium, scheduled to be held in Dubai during October (22-23 2000). The world’s leading IT company confirmed its key role in the event, which is pegged to attract the ‘cream of the region’s corporate world’.

Microsoft is set to use Summit Dubai as the platform to discuss emerging e-commerce trends by providing a first-hand insight on digital economy experiences. The company’s regional ‘Business Internet’ strategy will also be revealed.

"We see the event as ‘the’ forum for discussing and showcasing products, solutions and strategies that are proven as being key to business success in the e-age," said Bahram Mohazzebi, general manager, Microsoft Middle East.

Mohazzebi confirmed that Walter Seemayer, director, e-commerce & developer group, Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), will share Microsoft’s view on e-business strategy : "Walter is a key influencer in developing e-commerce solutions and strategies that are put to effective use both in-house at Microsoft and in our clients’ organisations. I believe that his international experience and expertise will be will crucial listening for Summit Dubai participants."

Seemayer’s presentation is entitled "Energising the Networked Economy".

Mohazzebi said he was delighted that the symposium’s organisers, Global Management Consultants, have managed to attract the attention of Dubai’s government and a numerous other blue-chip firms and specialist consultants from the start.

Summit Dubai is held under the patronage of Dubai Internet City (DIC) and has the support of the Department of Economic Development (DED). The participation of American Express, Andersen Consulting, Arthur Andersen, Bywater, Cisco Systems, Fusion Consulting, Hay Group, Motorola and Oracle is also confirmed. While, Dubai FM radio and the region’s leading English-language business publication, Gulf Business, will provide dedicated coverage of the event.

Mohazzebi said that the focus of Summit Dubai - ‘organisational effectiveness in the e-age’- mirrors the operating strategy of Microsoft : "We must all – from large organisations to small, boutique operations – equip our firms for business in this e-age.

"I see Summit Dubai as a shared forum where speakers, participants and delegates can learn and absorb the ‘what to do’s and what not to do’s’ when gearing for e-business effectiveness.

"The thing about doing business today is that it actually helps to get great minds working together. While, the World Wide Web provides a global highway, a combination of hardware and software solutions is essential if we are to get the most out of the journey."

He said that Microsoft is also attracted by Summit Dubai, as it promises to be not ‘another IT event’.

Saira Azhar, chief executive of Global agreed : "The core objective of the meet is to focus the actual impact of e-business on the day-to-day business operations of companies of all sizes.

"It is not about hardware and systems but about how business can embrace e-business at the ground-level."

The two-day symposium takes a three-prong attack at the six essential areas of organisational effectiveness – each placed in the e-environment - by running speaker seminars, product showcases and product presentations in tandem.

In addition to Microsoft’s view on e-business strategy, topics include e-leadership, e-HR, e-finance and administration, e-information technology and e-marketing.

She concluded that more than 200 members representing the core of the region’s corporate world are set to attend Summit Dubai which will be held at Emirates Towers.

Global has a track record of staging innovative, topical management seminars with Three Way Seminar earlier this year. While last year they brought Michael Porter and in 1998 Stephen Covey took the stage.