Young Presidents' Organization Announces Launch of "YPO Innovation Week"

IRVING, Texas, March 8, 2016 -- Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), the world's premier network of chief executives and business leaders, announced the launch of a new type of global event connecting 23,000 YPO members in more than 130 countries through a series of programs around the world focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. During one week in May 2016, YPO will host more than 30 events in major cities in all corners of the world, providing education, idea exchange and discussions with the world's most innovative executives who are both leading companies today and building companies of the future.

Through progressive presentations and conversations, debates and hands-on workshops, live-streamed panel discussions as well as Innovation Performance Assessments, members will have the chance to learn, exchange ideas, network and spark new growth in their companies.

"With programs held in every region of the world, YPO Innovation Week will be a transformative experience not only for YPO's entrepreneurs and innovators, but also in the larger community. We expect to positively affect more than 1,000 member companies through exciting events, invigorating idea exchange, valuable education and immersive activities focused on the many varying aspects of innovation," said CEO of Pivotal Innovation and YPO Innovation Week Chair, Kevin Fallon. "YPO is the most innovative community on the planet. This week promises to be a truly transformative experience."

The grand opening event for YPO Innovation Week will be in Sydney, Australia, hosted by John Poynton, co-founder and director of Azure Capital, focusing on innovation in Australia. Following the opening event, a signature event will take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where YPO member, and one of Canada's best-known entrepreneurs and innovative philanthropist, Brett Wilson, is a speaker. This event is specifically designed for those entrepreneurs who are in the midst of launching a startup and looking to accelerate business growth.

YPO members will then gather in Silicon Valley, California, USA, with veteran entrepreneurs - including Harry Clark, founder of Pathway Partners, LLC; Ariel Pfeffer, CEO of Prospekta Marketing; and Jim Hornthall, chairman of M34 Capital, Inc. - for two days of high-impact learning on how to evaluate new ideas and investments.

The closing event of YPO Innovation Week, championed by Greg Besner, CEO of Culture IQ, and Asha Saxena, CEO of Future Technologies, will take place at the birthplace of modern entrepreneurship and innovation, the Thomas Edison National Historic Park. At this finale event, YPO members will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes, and learn how Edison worked, invented, created and scaled his companies. 

"Like Edison, YPO members around the globe embrace the challenges of innovation to create something profound and yet practical. Some of these topics and themes are well-known on the innovation agenda, but several of them will surprise and lead to breakthroughs," said Fallon. "By bringing together the organization's most passionate global members, including founders, growth company executives, investors and social enterprise leaders, we plan to extend YPO's innovative spirit and provide inspiration to the wider community around the world." 

About YPO
YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) is a not-for-profit, global network of young chief executives connected through the shared mission of becoming Better Leaders Through Lifelong Learning and Idea Exchange^TM. Founded in 1950, YPO today provides 23,000 peers and their families in more than 130 countries with access to unique experiences, extraordinary educational resources, access to alliances with leading institutions, and participation in specialized networks to support their business, community and personal leadership. Altogether, YPO member-run companies employ more than 15 million people around the world and generate USD6 trillion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.ypo.org and watch the Innovation Week video to learn more from some of the members leading Innovation Week.

Contact:
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