E – According to the organisers, the GXN Conference (Global Executive Network), which was staged in the Spanish city Barcelona from September 27-29, 2023, was a total success. The event organised by Michael Freter brought over 60 CEOS from Europe, the USA and further countries together to discuss the industry’s future, the current market situation in the respective regions and various innovation themes.
The Conference held in the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón offered a diversified programme, including among others three speakers, who each addressed a specific topic: Steven van Bellegham, author and customer orientation expert, talked about the needs of the customers of tomorrow. The speaker and author, Fran Chuan, an advocate of a “Culture of Innovation”, presented a survey on innovation culture in the promotional products industry and underlined the urgent need of anchoring an innovation culture within one’s own company. The trend researcher and marketing expert, Thierry Zouzou, gave an overview of the trends of the fashion and textile industry for the next three years.
In addition to the lectures, the conference offered a platform for dynamic discussion rounds, which occupied themselves with critical issues from the areas technology, sustainability and the promotional products business. Particularly the sessions on the European and US-American market conveyed in-depth insights into the current developments. Last but not least, the latest edition of the “GXN Promotional Industry Business Climate Index” (PBCI) was presented.
According to Freter, the discussions at the GXN Conference went far beyond usual, formal sessions, the participants engaged in lively discussions and took the opportunity to network intensively. Among others, the agenda included a networking dinner in a typical tapas bar on September 27. One day later the participants met up in a Spanish restaurant for a gala dinner.
Freter: “The pulsating atmosphere of Barcelona offered the perfect setting for establishing new contacts, initiating cooperations and exchanging ideas. The success of this event emphasises how important it is to promote innovation, sustainability and collaboration in today’s constantly changing world.”
Photo source: GXN
