Event 2009 University of Southern California (USC) Global Conference
Organiser K&A International
Venue Grand Hyatt Taipei
Group size 617
Date October 29-31, 2009
The brief
Each USC global conference explores and invites expert speakers to address the key issues and challenges facing the Asia Pacific region and global development. This was the first time that Taiwan hosted the event. The conferences also serve as a networking platform for USC international alumni.
Challenges
USC spent two years planning the event. The organiser sought to make the conference as entertaining and fun-filled as possible for the 617 attendees. The Taipei Department of Information and Tourism assisted in arranging cultural performances during the event’s three-day run.
Execution
During the opening dinner, a local art troupe entertained guests while a team from Taipei USC hosts global conference in Taipei Taiwan’s vice-president joins past students and international guests at prestigious event for US-based university Physical Education College performed traditional martial art demonstrations.
Special guest, Vincent C. Siew, vicepresident of Taiwan, spoke on government initiatives aimed at tackling the economic crisis. Other speakers discussed key issues facing Asia: the changing economic climate, global health, energy and the digital world.
Panel speakers during these sessions included Chou Hsi-wei (governor, Taipei County), Jack Knott (Dean, School of Policy, Planning and Development, USC), and Daniel Tsai (Chairman of Fubon Financial).
A lion dance greeted guests arriving for the event’s closing banquet and a performance by a musical trio of USC alumni brought the conference to a rousing close.
Comment
“The conference attracted a record attendance from 12 countries and regions,” says Kitty Wong, managing director of K&A International. “The fact that about half of all participants came from Taiwan indicated strong local support. It also succeeded in drawing together a worldwide network of leaders with valuable perspective on global change.”