- In today’s CEO Daily: Diane Brady gives a preview of a high – stakes World Economic Forum in Davos.
- The big story: The business case for Greenland is weak.
- The markets: They are mixed globally, and U.S. markets are closed for MLK Day.
- Plus: All the news and water – cooler chat from .
Good morning from Davos, Switzerland where the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is currently in progress. The organizers are referring to this as one of the highest – level gatherings in the history of the WEF. It’s a mix of nearly 3,000 global leaders, around 850 top CEOs and chairs, and a record 400 top political leaders, including 64 heads of state. All attention will be on President Donald Trump, who is coming with five cabinet secretaries and a large delegation of other senior officials. The theme this year, with Klaus Schwab at the helm for the first time at the WEF, is “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
Some may find that idea ironic in a week when Trump [seems to be doing something] on European nations that oppose his plan to buy Greenland, and [there is something missing here]. No wonder [something] finds a world moving towards isolationism. It’s all the more reason for leaders around the world to come together at a time when the stakes seem so high.
As I walked by last night, a man was lying spread – out on the icy ground, surrounded by paramedics trying to determine if he could get up by himself. It seemed like an appropriate metaphor for the feeling I’ve gotten from several non – U.S. business leaders here so far: shock, a sudden unfamiliar pain, and a desire to stay as close as possible to the U.S. As Mohamed Kande, the Washington – based global chairman of PwC, told me last night: “The U.S. remains the No. 1 destination for investment; people respect the fundamentals of the economy and the fundamentals of the companies.”
While geopolitics will probably dominate the news agenda, AI will dominate many of the discussions in hotels and sponsored houses along the Davos Promenade, where a large number of unofficial attendees spend a lot of their time. That’s where the sought – after parties, receptions, programming, and dinners take place.
, for instance, is hosting a series of events, from C – suite lunches and the [something] Most Powerful Women reception to our annual Global Leadership Dinner and a special block of programming this Wednesday at USA House. You can check out our full schedule [somewhere].
I’ll be joined on the ground by my colleagues Alyson Shontell, Kamal Ahmed, and Jeremy Kahn, who will be sending dispatches, recording vodcasts, and moderating conversations throughout the week. (Kamal’s [something].)
One of my favorite places in Davos to experience a true spirit of dialogue is Barry’s Piano Bar, also known as [something] since [when] CEO Matthew Prince [did something] veteran WEF pianist Barry Colson when Coulson’s long – standing Davos gig down the street ended. If the six G7 members in town this week could sit around that piano and sing some tunes, it might give peace a chance.
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