Inaugural Shidler Global Leadership Summit draws attendees from across the globe

Shidler Global Summit

Nearly 250 alumni, friends, college faculty and staff, and new Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) graduates converged on Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from July 11-13, 2019 for the Shidler College of Business’ inaugural Global Leadership Summit. The event drew world-class Shidler faculty, speakers from multiple countries, and distinguished global alumni together to explore business opportunities and exchange experiences and ideas on business trends.

While in Ho Chi Minh City, which has been described as the vibrant economic center of the rising dragon that FORBES estimates as less than 10 years behind China, attendees enjoyed three days of networking, activities, company and cultural tours, talks and round table discussions by industry experts and leaders. The event culminated with the Class of 2019 VEMBA cohort graduation celebration.

“We are delighted with the many connections, thoughtful exchange of ideas and potential business opportunities spurred in Vietnam,” said Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business. “Taking feedback from our global network of alumni, as well as their strong desire to make global business connections, we felt it was important to bring this vision to life. Ho Chi Minh City was the perfect venue for alumni to convene and hear speakers from across Asia and the United States.”

Company tours were hosted by Medovations Vietnam, a member of the Diversatek group of privately held medical technology companies, as well as Fluid Power & Controls/The Pan Food Factory, a manufacturer of solenoids and solenoid-controlled valves, used in emergency door locking systems, liquid dispensing industries, hospital and medical industries and more. Jonathan Moreno and TraMy Nguyen, CEOs of these two companies, are VEMBA alumni. Along with Shidler Asian Field Study students, summit attendees received an insider’s look at the company’s manufacturing processes, distribution and operations. The cultural tour was held at Aoi Dai Garment Museum, where guests learned about the traditional Vietnamese dress, as well as its long and celebrated history.

At the summit, Shidler Distinguished Professor Stephen Vargo provided the first keynote speech to kick-off the day’s event. Vargo presented on “Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic: Perspective & Opportunities for Global Competition. Vargo, a co-creator of the concept with Robert Lusch, spoke to the crowd about S-D logic and how it embraces the use-value of the goods and the co-creation of value, rather than value distribution.

Angela Y. Lee, Mechthild Esser Nemmers Professor of Marketing, Kellogg, Northwestern University, provided the second keynote speech, “Looking into the Future: Culture and Decision Making,” gave the crowd an overview of the importance of cultural values in marketing strategies in consumer decision making.

Keynote speeches were followed by an impressive list of C-suite panelists, comprised of Shidler alumni, who led invigorating round table discussions on topics including using digital trends in business, investing in food and agriculture, financial services and investing in the hospitality and tourism industries. Speakers and guests hailed from Hong Kong, Singapore, California, Seattle and Honolulu, to name a few, and converged to share their experiences, connect and make valuable business connections. To see the full summit schedule, please click here.

Finally, Tung Bui, VEMBA faculty director & Matson Navigation Company Endowed Chair in Global Business, provided closing remarks, thanking sponsors, speakers, attendees and international guests for their time. The event was graciously sponsored by the Shidler Alumni Association, Stavian Group, TMG, The Pan Group and MB, all run by VEMBA alumni.

“Vietnam’s economy plays a vital role in the global economy and attendees were able to exchange their views about the economic and emerging technological trends during breakout sessions,” said Bui. “The keynote speakers provided stimulating content which sparked insightful discussions. With a strong network of more than 800 alumni in Vietnam, attendees are already asking when the next event will be.”

The experience was one that will not soon be forgotten for attendees and its strong attendance and interest has opened the way for future Shidler College of Business international summits to take place on the world’s stage.

See more photos from the VEMA graduation ceremony here.

2019 Shidler Global Summit