First MEB Members Rendezvous 2018 a success

The Monaco Economic Board’s first networking Members Rendezvous of the year attracted 220 companies operating in the Principality, from 16 industry sectors, on Tuesday 6 February at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel. More than 300 gathered to hear the latest news on the MEB and expand their business contacts.

Chairman Michel Dotta summed up 2017 and introduced MEB highlights for 2018.

A total of 51 actions ensured 2017 was a particularly busy and innovative year:

- Six Trade Missions, including for the first time a “double official mission” to Bratislava in Slovakia and Chisinau, Moldavia in May, accompanying official visits by Monaco’s Sovereign, HSH Prince Albert II. Taking full advantage of different opportunities, the MEB then organised three missions in three weeks from 19 June to 8 July to Tel-Aviv, Astana in Kazakhstan and Tunis. Lastly, a Trade Mission was arranged to Moscow to coincide with performances by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo company at the Bolshoi.

- In Monaco, the three Members Rendezvous attracted 270 participants on average per meeting compared to 220 in 2016. Starting September 2017, the MEB added a B2B session before the main networking event, an experience that was repeated on Tuesday 6 February 2018 with more than 60 meetings scheduled involving 56 companies.

With some 40 operations already confirmed, 2018 looks set to be as productive.

The European continent is the focus for the first half with a Trade Mission to Stockholm in Scandinavia 26-28 March (there is still time to register). Frankfurt is also being studied for June and could be confirmed on 22 February when HE Mr Meyer Landrut, Germany’s Ambassador in France comes to Monaco for an Ambassador’s Lunch.

In the second half, two trips are planned to Asia accompanying HSH Prince Albert II’s official visits.  The first is to Beijing early September for a new culture-business synergy tied in with the inauguration of the Grimaldi Forum’s Princes and Princesses of Monaco exhibition in the Forbidden City, then Hanoi, Vietnam in November.

Regards MEB highlights in Monaco, Members Rendezvous, Eco Awards, hosting foreign delegations and conferences by experts are on the agenda. Coming soon is one entitled “Russia and the World” by Monaco’s Consul in Moscow on 9 February and an “e-Estonia” conference that puts a spotlight on this Baltic country’s expertise in e-administration and e-services on 16 February.

In 2018, the MEB embarks on a survey to learn more about member companies and gage their opinions on the economic situation. For Michel Dotta “It’s about constantly improving the quality of services and actions the MEB provides its 500 members.”

B to B rendezvous