Soufan Foundation & Qatar International Academy for Security Studies
The Global Security Forum is an annual international gathering bringing together a multi-disciplinary network of experts, practitioners, and policy-makers from government, security, academia, media, entertainment, international organizations, the humanitarian sector, the private sector, and beyond to discuss the world’s most pressing security issues. This invitation-only event provides a unique platform for international stakeholders to convene and offer solutions that address the international community’s leading security challenges.
The 2019 Global Security Forum took place at the St. Regis hotel in Doha, Qatar. The two-day conference explored the security challenges posed by the proliferation of modern disinformation and the serious implications this has on an increasingly interconnected world.
The nexus between disinformation and technological advances has produced an unprecedented threat landscape, which requires a whole-of-society approach. The global effects of disinformation–whether via organized campaigns that influence elections or policy decisions, or via misinformation given to individuals or groups engaging in violent acts of perceived retribution–have become common and persistent security threats. All nations are dealing with this phenomenon. Private and non-profit organizations are dealing with the effects as well. Relying solely on governments or the private sector alone to counter disinformation, however, will not work; it is imperative to convene an open dialogue in a multi-stakeholder environment to develop comprehensive solutions.
The 2019 Forum convened officials and experts from across the world, including government, technology platforms, media, advertising and marketing agencies, social media, academia, think tanks, and international organizations, among others. The program was opened by His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for the State of Qatar. Speakers included Defense Ministers, ambassadors, legal analysts, and news correspondents from over 40 countries.
The two days included moderated panel discussions, workshops, keynote presentations, and fireside chats. Empire was responsible for all production support, speaker logistics, speaker, staff and attendee travel and accommodations, food and beverage, credentialing, press support, and graphics. The entire conference was webcast on MSNBC and Al Jazeera with over 10 news agencies sharing the press platform.
Empire also produced a gala dinner on the first night of the conference. The dinner was sponsored by Qatar Airways, with His Excellency, Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, in attendance. The evening began with a reception that included an Oud player, calligrapher, henna tattoo artist, and live falcon. The dinner was a formal three-course plated dinner with a live local jazz band.
Empire is a leading producer of international conferences and has worked extensively throughout the Middle East and Gulf Region.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
