Media Advisory - Leading strategists and analysts scrutinize world's economic trials, business turmoil and competitive opportunities at the 14th Global Business Forum in Banff, September 18-19

"Economic and Social Order: Evolution or Revolution?"

Media accreditation required

BANFF, AB, Sept. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Two hundred senior business executives, academics, economists, researchers, authors and thought leaders from around the world will gather this week at the 2014 Global Business Forum (GBF 14), in Banff, Canada. GBF 14's distinguished speakers and participants will discuss many of the most intrusive and unforeseen business, economic, political, technological, military and environmental tests and triumphs defining our world's economic and social order at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel on Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19, 2014.

"We all watch in amazement at the chaotic turmoil disrupting our world, and see digital economies flash through our lives and our hands. Dissecting and understanding the reasons behind ruin, recession, cyber innovation and prosperity top the agenda of GBF 14, where our presenters will span the ideas spectrum with insight and candor," said Douglas H. Mitchell, GBF Co-chair and National Co-Chairman of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. 

"Our roster of speakers is packed with experts, researchers and accomplished practitioners who have built careers on examining and solving the courageous edge of technology, management, business and entrepreneurial success. They will articulate the reasons underpinning our global economic circumstance and share seasoned acumen on how to comprehend and navigate the challenging economy ahead," added Hal Kvisle, GBF Co-chair and President and CEO of Talisman Energy Inc.

Themed Economic and Social Order: Evolution or Revolution?, GBF 14 will look to unravel how rapid change, creativity and stoic repetition shape the latest acts and deeds in global competition, invention, energy, geopolitics, the environment, wealth disparity, barbaric terror, worker education and the business of sport.

Forum session topics:

• The Birth of a New Economy • Seeds of Unrest • China's Global Role • Reality of Policing Carbon and Financing Clean Energy • Economics in Europe and the Middle East • Lessons Learned from the World of Sport • The Rich – Poor Disparity • Mexico & Latin American Opportunities

• Innovations in Technology • Education to Employment • The Entrepreneurial State • The Future of Global Competition • Step into the Investment Batter's Box • Energy Transitions • Geopolitics: The World 10 Years Out

The GBF 14 program includes 30 distinguished speakers and moderators including:

• Greg Abel, Chairman, President and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Energy (Iowa)
• Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada (Ontario)
• Brandon Anderson, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Mexico Natural Gas and Power, TransCanada (Mexico)
• Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy Analysis (Arizona)
• Dr. Xiang Bing, Founding Dean and Professor, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (Beijing)
• Kevin Blue, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Stanford University (California)
• Brian Burke, President of Hockey Operations, The Calgary Flames (Alberta)
• Noah Feldman, Author of "The Cool War: The Future of Global Competition" Professor, Harvard Law School (Boston)
• Diane Francis, Editor at Large, The National Post (Ontario)
• Sandra Halperin, Professor of International Relations, Royal Holloway University of London (United Kingdom)
• David Hobbs, Head of Research, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (Saudi Arabia)
• Anatole Kaletsky, Founder and Co-Chairman, GaveKal Dragonomics (United Kingdom)
• Matthew Kaminski, Journalist and member, Wall Street Journal Editorial Board (New York)
• Mario Lefebvre, Co-Author, "Power Play: The Business Economics of Pro Sports" (Quebec)
• Warren Levy, Managing Partner, Frontier Hydrocarbons Ltd. (Colombia)
• Dr. Peter Mansoor, Advisor, CNN, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) Associate Professor, Ohio State University (Ohio)
• Mariana Mazzucato, R.M. Phillips Professor in the Economics of Innovation, University of Sussex (United Kingdom)
• Dr. Mona Mourshed, Director, McKinsey and Company (Washington, DC)
• Ross McKitrick, Author, "Economic Analysis of Environmental Policy", Professor, University of Guelph (Ontario)
• Douglas Nyhoff, Managing Partner, Nyhoff Investment Company (Texas)
• Curtis Probst, Managing Director, Rocky Mountain Institute (Colorado)
• Peter Robertson, Former Vice Chairman, Chevron (Texas)
• Patrik Sjostedt, Executive Vice President, Hitachi Consulting (Sweden)
• Peter Tertzakian, Chief Energy Economist, ARC Financial (Alberta)

Moderators and discussants include Rich Kruger, Chairman, President & CEO, Imperial Oil; Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce; Stewart Beck, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific Foundation; Brenda Kenny, President, Canadian Energy Pipelines Association; Brian Williams, Anchor CTV/TSN; Robert Maybery, SpencerStuart; Dave Kelly, Co-Founder, Kelly Brothers Productions.

Media are invited to attend; however, preregistration is required for admission to GBF 14. Interviews with speakers may be arranged by appointment. Media feeds and a media workroom are also available. To register, please contact Alan Boras at [phone], or by email at [email protected].

About the Global Business Forum

The Global Business Forum is recognized as one of the world's premier business and economic policy gatherings. It is an independent, not-for-profit corporation, funded by the contributions of major Canadian corporations, that invites prominent international business executives, academia and government leaders to actively discuss critical global economic issues and reach creative, practical solutions for the benefit of all citizens. Founded in 2000, the Global Business Forum is held annually in Banff, Alberta, in the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains.

SOURCE: Global Business Forum

For further information: Alan Boras, W) 403-444-1498, C) 403-630-4911, Email: [email protected]; Nancy Arab, W) 403-444-1484, C) 587-899-2510, Email: [email protected]