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Global business event proves a universal success

More than 150 Cisco customers and partners came together in September for an inaugural worldwide Connected Women event. Around 400 women in total attended both live and virtually, with hundreds connecting via TelePresence and IPTV across the globe.

Live events ran in nine cities with the theme: 'Inspire and be Inspired'. Participants were treated to a series of practical presentations that focused on collaboration, sustainability and the importance of technology in business. The theme was carried throughout the event, which saw contributions from high level business speakers at the different locations around the world. In the UK, the event was opened by Chris Dedicoat and facilitated by BBC presenter Luisa Baldini, with guest speakers including Dr Tanya Byron, consultant clinical psychologist and consultant to the government, yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur and Dr David Kelly, CEO of mydeco.com.

A particular highlight was a live broadcast from Singapore by Blair Christie, SVP Corporate Communications, Cisco. She demonstrated how technology has the power to drive collaboration and how Cisco is leading that change. This was warmly received by the audience, including Glenda Stone, CEO, Aurora: "The event reinforced how impressive and innovative Cisco is, which was very inspiring."

To reinforce the collaboration theme, the day culminated in a TelePresence panel session facilitated by Laura Ipsen, SVP Global Policy and Government Affairs, Cisco, from the New York office. Laura was joined by panelists in London, Rolle, Paris and Amsterdam, to discuss collaboration, the environment and what businesses are really doing around the world on the subject of 'green'.

The aim of the event was to build relationships and drive business, which proved to be very successful as 25% of customers, who attended in the UK, requested TP demos as a result of participating. Personal feedback from the event was overwhelming - Caroline Southard, Innovation Director, Metro Research, commented: "I certainly felt inspired by all the speakers and I don't believe I have ever been to an event where I have been engaged so much right throughout."

The message is clear. Go forward and collaborate!

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