4th annual middle east families in business conference open for registration
International and regional experts to advise family businesses
on strategies to overcome 21st century challenges
Regional business leaders and international experts will lead the fourth annual Middle East Families in Business Conference to address issues crucial to the success and smooth-running of the many family-owned businesses through a combination of lectures, workshops and consultations with professional family business advisors. The event – which is by invitation only and held in a closed environment to preserve confidentiality – is to be held from March 3 - 4 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa and is supported by the Bahrain Financial Services Board (part of the Economic Development Board) and the Bahrain Family Business Association.
Management of family businesses presents particular challenges – how to ensure the health and longevity of the business; the provision of adequate succession policies; the development of a robust inheritance and wealth management plan; as well as the decision on whether or not to outsource the management function.
All of these key topics, and more, will be discussed fully and frankly by a broad range of speakers during the two-day event, chaired by prominent local businessman Khalid Kanoo, Group Managing Director of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo W.L.L.
The conference will get to the heart of the matter by tackling those issues which make family businesses different and will give delegates the tools to compete on an equal footing with other non-family-owned enterprises.
Dominic Samuelson, Managing Director of Campden Conferences, the conference organisers, commented: “The conference is of interest to both long-established and start-up family businesses. The two days of presentations, workshops and networking, will offer an invaluable insight into the strategies and tactics that family businesses need to consider if they are to continue to prosper in an increasingly competitive market.”
Two in-depth afternoon workshops will give delegates the chance to work through important topics. “Handing Over the Business – Steps to a Successful Transition”, led by Dr Joseph Astrachan from Cox Family Enterprises Center (USA), will discuss how the family can work together to ensure the business is handed over from generation to generation with maximum efficiency. A “Family Office Operational” workshop, led by Michael George of Maxcap (UK), will allow families to benchmark their operations against similar companies, as well as to consider various operational, management and investment strategies.
Other key participants include: Essam Al-Tamimi, Founder and Managing Partner of Tamimi & Company (UAE); Khamis Al-Muqla , Founder and Chairman of Gulf Marcoms Group (Bahrain); Fahad Abdulrahman Al Turki, Vice Chairman and Vice President of A.A. Turki Group (KSA); Imad Al-Fadel, of Al-Fadel Group (Syria); David Lladro Roig, Adviors, Lladro commercial (Spain); and Burkhard Varnholt, Chief Investment Officer, Banque Sarasin & Cie (Switzerland).
An evening reception will be held on the evening of the first day at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, a traditional Bahraini house and historical monument, graced by an immense fountain, where delegates and speakers can mingle and share their thoughts and experiences on the day’s proceedings.
All participants will be carefully vetted, with sell-side attendees being a limited representation from each of the approved sponsors. A family ticket option is available at a reduced price in order to encourage families to attend, as the crux of the conference is to involve families in discussion about the future of their businesses. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.campdenconferences.com/bahrain and book online to receive a 10% discount; or download a form and fax it to +44 (0)207 214 0512; or call our bookings hotline +44 (0)207 214 0544.
