Over 200 prominent entrepreneurs, executives and civil society leaders who have completed the Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) program will gather in Istanbul August 4 and 5 for continued training and networking. MEET is funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative and presented by the Entrepreneur Development Program at the Rady School of Management, University of California, San Diego.
The MEET alumni conference, titled “New Strategies for Turbulent Times,” will focus on the importance of regional economic integration. Participants will examine ways to build trade and develop global markets to survive the economic downturn. The event includes sessions led by MEET alumni and American entrepreneurs on industry-specific issues and a panel discussion of alumni success stories. Featured speakers include Peter Cowhey, senior counselor at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and Madelyn Spirnak, deputy assistant secretary for near eastern affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
Now in its fifth year, the MEET program has trained over 395 of the most promising and talented leaders in the Middle East and North Africa region. Today, these individuals are forming partnerships, starting new ventures and seeking peer support through offerings such as alumni reunion events and the MEET Alumni Network Web site (www.meet-alumni.com). Since completing MEET training, alumni have created nearly 3,500 jobs and 700 new businesses.
MEET targets entrepreneurs, senior executives and younger managers in growth companies from 18 countries and territories. MEET programs feature interactive sessions led by university faculty and business leaders, as well as networking opportunities and site visits to successful companies.
This project is funded through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI supports efforts to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities and foster economic reform throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In support of these goals, MEPI works with non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academic institutions, as well as governments. More information about MEPI can be found at www.mepi.state.gov.
The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego educates global leaders for innovation-driven organizations. A professional school within one of the top-ranked institutions in the U.S. for higher education and research, the Rady School offers a Full-Time MBA program, a FlexMBA program for working professionals, a Ph.D. program and undergraduate and executive education courses. The Rady School’s Entrepreneur Development Program develops and delivers educational programs to advance entrepreneurship and regional economic development worldwide. Visit www.rady.ucsd.edu/edp for more information.