Discover the latest trends in climate action, gender equality, digital transformation and advancing small and growing businesses; media are invited to apply for in-person press credentials
Contact: Lizette Olmos Godfrey
lizette.olmosgodfrey@aspeninstitute.org
Michaela Villaroman
michaela.villaroman@seedstars.com
Bangkok, Thailand, August 14, 2024 – Thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers in entrepreneurship and economic development from around the world will gather at the · Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) 2024 Conference in Bangkok, Thailand from Tuesday, September 10 to Thursday, September 12. Let’s come together to celebrate ANDE’s 15th anniversary to share our big ideas and collectively shape the future of entrepreneurship. ANDE will gather at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers for the multi-day event.
“We are delighted to host the ANDE Global Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2024,” said Devin Chesney, Interim Executive Director, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE). “As it celebrates its 15th anniversary, ANDE remains in a strong position to deliver its global mission. Its regional chapters across Latin America, Africa, and Asia remain vibrant and are led by extraordinary leaders.”
This year’s conference will explore three key themes:
- Tackle the Future of Work: Examine the impact of digitalization, AI, and youth engagement on the small business workforce.
- Build a Thriving Future: Explore inclusive ecosystems, diverse entrepreneurship, and innovative climate solutions.
- Beyond the Horizon: Delve into bold, disruptive solutions and unconventional strategies for the future.
Some Highlights of the Conference include a small sample of the sessions proposed and conducted by ANDE members as presented in the event’s agenda:
Tuesday, September 10
Welcoming Remarks
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Ballroom 2-3
Description: Kick-start the conference with opening comments to set the tone for an enriching and productive conference experience.
Speaker: Devin Chesney, Interim Executive Director, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE).
Unlocking Supply Chain Diversity: Empowering Small Businesses for Global Impact
10:05 AM – 10:15 AM
Ballroom 2-3
Description: FUNDES will present innovative approaches to addressing the lack of diversity in global supply chains. Through engaging success stories and compelling data, attendees will gain insights into the transformative power of diverse small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into corporate procurement practices.
Speaker: Elfid Torres, FUNDES, CEO
The Secret Small and Growing Business Climate Innovators – Sheltertech
9:55 AM – 10:05 AM
Ballroom 2-3
Description: Small and growing businesses (SGBs) are playing a crucial role in creating tools for low-income families to adapt their homes to the extreme weather conditions that come with climate change. This is an urgent theme for business development services to support.
Speaker: Nihar Agarwal, Green Banana, Founder
Wednesday, September 11
Entrepreneur Fireside Chat
9:45 am – 10:30 am
Ballroom 2-3
Description: ANDE’s Interim Executive Director, Devin Chesney, will host a conversation with successful entrepreneur Michael Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Buzzebees, to discuss Michael’s journey, including the challenges they faced and their success stories.
Speaker: Michael Chen, Chief Executive Officer, Buzzebees
Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Africa: AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and the Future of Work
11:10 am – 12:40 pm
Riverside 6
Speakers: Gordon Adomdza, Associate Professor, Business Administration, Ashesi University, Margaret Jackson, Managing Partner, Rainbow Consult, and Tonisha Tagoe, Executive Director, Apples and Pears Holdings Ltd
Thursday, September 12
Connection Day: Meet, Mingle & Network
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Off-site excursions can be viewed here.
Please see the full event schedule for a complete description of these sessions. Sessions are open to the press with Chatham rules in effect. All plenaries are open to the press. Media can register for press credentials. Please register here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lizette Olmos Godfrey
The Aspen Institute
lizette.olmosgodfrey@aspeninstitute.org
Michaela Villaroman
ANDE Consultant & Communications POC in Bangkok
michaela.villaroman@seedstars.com
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About ANDE
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of organizations that propel entrepreneurship in developing economies. ANDE members provide critical financial, educational, and business support services to small and growing businesses (SGBs) based on the conviction that SGBs create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth, and produce environmental and social benefits.
As the leading global voice of the SGB sector, ANDE believes that SGBs are a powerful yet underleveraged tool in addressing social and environmental challenges. Since 2009, we have grown into a trusted network of nearly 300 collaborative members that operate in almost every developing economy. ANDE grows the body of knowledge, mobilizes resources, and connects the institutions that support the small business entrepreneurs who build inclusive prosperity in the developing world.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, CO, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.