World’s first leadership summit sees global operator CEOs meet in Cannes to agree priorities and actions for the mobile industry
London, UK 16 February 2004: More than 150 wireless industry CEOs and board-level executives are set to meet next week for a two-day summit beginning on the eve of the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes.
Organised by the GSM Association – the global trade organisation for GSM operators - the first-ever Wireless Leadership Summit comprises two distinct sessions. On the first day (Feb 23), the Association’s Board will report back to the CEOs of more than 100 operators on the collective vision for the industry and its recommended initiatives to action in the year ahead.
On the second day, leaders from wireless vendors and other partners will join the operators to discuss how best to take the agenda and accelerate market implementation.
GSMA Board Chairman, Craig Ehrlich said: “This event is a world first for the wireless industry. As GSM climbs inexorably towards one billion users, it is vital that the wireless community looks ahead and agrees commercially focused priorities to give current and future customers the services they need and deserve.
“If GSM has taught us nothing else,” he said, “it has taught us the benefit of acting as a global community – that is the secret of our success and the recipe for our future.”
The summit comes one year after the first meeting of the GSM Association’s new Board, comprising representatives from 23 operator companies and multinational groups, including the world’s 12 largest operators.
Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association said: “The Leadership Summit marks a crucial time in the evolution of our industry, as our members deliver on the promise of data and multimedia services, and in so doing make mobility an increasingly important part of customers’ lives.”
Speakers during the two-day event include:
• Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone
• Rene Obermann, CEO of T-Mobile International
• GSM Association Board members from major operator groups and companies
• Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP, one of the world’s leading marketing organizations
Delegates at the conference make up a comprehensive who’s who of the wireless industry. CEOs from more than 115 network operators or operator groups have already confirmed attendance at the event.
Microsoft Corporation, an Associate Member of the GSM Association, is the headline sponsor of the event.
Contacts:
GSM Association:
Ian Volans, Catherine Haslam or Liz McFarlan at GSMA on +44 20 7518 0530
Companycare Communications:
Kevin Taylor, Richard Fogg, Beth Sharples or Alex Sowden on +44 118 939 5900
Hill & Knowlton:
Ken Saunders on +44 020 7413 3000
About the GSM Association: http://www.gsmworld.com/news/boilerplate.html
Credit: WebitPR
