Gucci to address Mid East corporate leaders

Gucci, who holds 'The Leading Women In The World Award' - the premier global honour for the world's women business leaders - is to outline to regional corporate leaders how to marry innovation with tradition.

Gucci, now the president of leading Italian event management, communications and PR company Pirene, will spell out how hard graft and determination are key corporate values even if you carry an international brand as a surname.

'Being a Gucci has certain advantages, but when it comes down to running your own business, it's not your name that pays your bills at the end of the day, it's hard work and perseverance,' said Gucci, who is in the running for president of Italy's association for women entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

And Gucci, who helped create jobs for youngsters in Tuscany via entrepreneurial start-ups, believes major corporations have a role to play in steering tomorrow's leaders.

'We are greatly concerned for the future of our youth,' she said. 'We intend to offer them more chances and work opportunities.'

Laura Gucci married into the famous brand name family in 1987 becoming the wife of Guccio Gucci, the grand-nephew of the founder of the famed fashion house.

The enterprising Italian continued to work for her own family's business - the high quality fabric producer Arpel Spa-Frati Group. In a career spanning 18 years, she has successfully established production plants in Tunisia, Morocco, Poland, Germany and the USA.

'Laura Gucci's experience has much from which corporate Arabia can learn' said Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Middle East, which is organising 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' in conjunction with the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.

'She can spell out how being born with the right name or silver spoon in your mouth is not enough if you want to secure the future, and she can pass on experience to the many regional corporations now looking to assist in the creation of real career opportunities for the region's indigenous youth population.'

Laura Gucci will share the 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' stage with a host of international business leaders - more than 30 in all and including some of the world's top tycoons, such as real estate king, Donald J. Trump, who will address the gathering by video cast.

'What corporate business leaders face is three days of inspiring ideas,' said Sutherland. 'This is a ground-breaking event from which we hope to see new start-ups launched and corporate institutions adopting entrepreneurship into their training and business strategies.'

Running alongside the forum will be a specialised exhibition of products and services aimed at the small-to-medium enterprise sector.

'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders. It is endorsed by the United Nations Conference On Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and energy giant Shell Markets Middle East, management software experts Computer Associates and business solutions and services consultants Deloitte are headline sponsors.

The event is open to all those involved in business and aims to promote entrepreneurial spirit among young GCC nationals, encouraging them to set up their own small-to-medium enterprises.

'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' has attracted AME Info, Flip Media, BBC World and Gulf Business, Saudi Research and Publishing Company, Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Radio Network as media partners.