The Ferris Wheel on the site of C2MTL, the scene of many "Brain Dates" and "Ferris Wheel Pitches"

The Ferris Wheel on the site of C2MTL, the scene of many "Brain Dates" and "Ferris Wheel Pitches"
Photo Credit: courtesy of C2 Mtl

C2MTL 2015 another success

C2MTL is an international business conference like no other.  This intersection of commerce and creativity, now in its fourth year, brought 5,000 attendees from 42 countries, places such as Nigeria, Japan and Lithuania to name a few.

Richard St. Pierre, CEO of the conference, describes it as a ‘business happening’. People came to hear 34 speakers and take part in some of the other aspects of the event that make C2MTL unique.  It’s a festival of business fueled by great ideas.

Listen

Speakers like Andre Agassi charmed the crowd with his story of life after tennis and his philanthropic adventures creating a charter school for children who could use the help, in his hometown of Las Vegas.  Chelsea Clinton and Alec Baldwin were two of the more big American names that enthralled audiences with their ideas, insights, and of course, humour!

The Ferris Wheel on the site was the setting for some dynamic conversations. St. Pierre explained that people could step into one of the pods for a ‘Brain Date’ or, a ‘Ferris Wheel Pitch’, perhaps enhancing the thrill of thinking fast. The venue, located in a former industrial site, provides a beautiful view of the Montreal skyline, and is a short stroll to some of the best restaurants in the city.

 “The power of your audience is that they have their own audiences”

In another area, the notion of thinking on your feet, could be challenged at a suspended board table where people could meet in mid-air, thereby dropping some of the heirarchical elements to an encounter that left everyone confronting their fears.

Rangu Salgame of India’s Tata Communications talked about the ongoing digital evolution of third-world countries. He said by 2025 six billion people will have smart phones and described how these devices are improving the lives of women by providing independence.

David Shing, AOL’s digital prophet talked about the market for smart objects that will reach 19 million by 2020, and the fact that the power of your audience is that they have their own audiences.

C2MTL evolved out of the imagination of multi-award-winning advertising agency Sid Lee and founding partner Cirque du Soleil, two organizations recognized for their originality and brilliance.

The gathering closed with a performance by Arcade Fire’s, Win Butler, and Richard St. Pierre says he’s been receiving e-mails and tweets from people making plans to return again next year.

2016 will be a milestone, fifth anniversary, and already some of the speakers have been announced. Both David Suzuki and Martha Stewart have been confirmed, and that’s just the beginning.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Economy, International, Internet, Science & Technology, Society
Tags:

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.