The achievements of Young Leaders, digital and physical security, and the post-digital era were all highlights of the CoreNet Global EMEA Summit, which took place recently in Amsterdam.
The second day began with a site visit to the recently completed A’DAM development in Overhoeks. Once the Amsterdam headquarters of Shell, the building has been dramatically redeveloped into a vibrant mixed-use tower, complete with revolving restaurant, co-working space, a hotel, and an open-air observation deck complete with a swing which projects out over the edge of the building.
The day two programme offered a variety of topical sessions, including Are You Prepared to Survive a Terror Attack, hosted by security expert Will Geddes, ICP Group.
During this hour-long session, attendees were coached on how to heighten their awareness when travelling domestically or internationally, what measures they can take to protect their businesses and employees, and what to do in a state of emergency.
Drawing on his 25 years in the security industry, Geddes provided a series of real-life case studies to illustrate the correct response to common situations, offering pragmatic advice such as identifying ‘safe havens’ or improving situational awareness when travelling.
Additional day two highlights included Time to Move! Applying the Principles of Active Design, and How Integrated Data Can Change Portfolio Decisions.
Later in the day, CoreNet Global recognised the recent achievements of its members, including 32 EMEA graduates from the MCR programme, two Corporate Real Estate Executives of the Year from local Chapters who will compete with other nominees for a global award – Dirk Schubert, Deutsche Bank (Central Europe Chapter) and Elliot Lewis, General Electric (Middle East Chapter) – and winners of the CoreNet Global Luminary Awards, which recognise the top 10 percent of rated speakers from the previous year’s Summit in London.
CoreNet Global also recognised two members from EMEA who have been put forward with Young Leaders from other global regions to compete for the first annual H. Gordon Wyllie MCR Young Leader of the Year Award, which will be announced in October 2016. Celebrated from the EMEA region were Scott Barras, Standard Chartered Bank (Middle East Chapter) and Lesther Van Vliet, Unilever (Benelux Chapter).
Ben Johnson, President-Elect of the CoreNet Global UK Chapter, then announced that the EMEA Summit would return to London for the fifth time next year with the theme “Blurring the Lines: Transcending Boundaries” (London, 12-14 September 2017).
Cushman and Wakefield also previewed the results of their survey, which was undertaken among attendees at the EMEA Summit, and explored how businesses and built environments are increasingly becoming subject to a complex range of security-related threats and hazards. The poll findings noted that digital security was at the top of the corporate agenda.
The CoreNet Global Wellness Challenge, sponsored by Colliers International, also proved to be a success among delegates, with a total of 197,053 steps taken and 254 cycle smoothies served.
The CoreNet Global EMEA Summit concluded with a visionary keynote presentation, this year from entrepreneur and innovation expert Mark Stevenson, who challenged delegates to rethink how they incorporate technology into their business environment.
Through a series of case studies and extraordinary statistics, Stevenson suggested that the digital age has now passed, showing us everything we need to know about the main event – how technology integrates with a physical world where assets are no longer about wealth, but morality.
Next month, CoreNet Global hosts the Philadelphia Summit (16-19 October 2016). The next EMEA Summit will take place 12-14 September 2017 in London.