SHANGHAI, March 8, 2019 —The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania today welcomed nearly 1,000 global business leaders to the 53rd Wharton Global Forum at the Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai. The three-day event brings together an international group of Wharton alumni with leaders from business and academia to explore the most critical issues facing global business. Participants will learn from and interact with the world’s best business minds, discover the latest cutting-edge research and attend master classes taught by Wharton’s world-renowned faculty. Speakers will delve into the ever-changing nature of today’s world, providing deep insights and discussions around the future of China and global business.
“We are delighted to hold a Wharton Global Forum in Shanghai, a city that in recent years has experienced transformational growth like China itself,” said Wharton Dean Geoffrey Garrett. “At this Forum our alumni and other attendees will gain valuable, actionable insights from our professors and each other into what the future holds for China, Asia and the global economy.”
Many experts agree that the world has never been more complex and uncertain as trade concerns rise, technology disrupts industries and aging populations challenge global economies. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, China is also undergoing tremendous change and transformation, facing both opportunities and threats, say many observers of Asia. More than ever, Wharton is positioned to meet these complex challenges head-on by providing the research, education and partnerships needed to spark new ideas and bring them to a global scale.
Shanghai was chosen as the host city for the 53rd Global Forum due to the important role it plays in the global economy. As the trading and financial hub in China, Shanghai has been dubbed by international media outlets as a role model for world economic development.
“On behalf of the Organizing Committee and the Wharton China alumni community, we are proud to host the Wharton Global Forum in Shanghai for a second time,” said Joe Tian, chair of the Forum, founding partner of DT Capital and a 1998 Wharton MBA graduate. “We expect a record number of attendees to gather and hear from the most experienced leaders, entrepreneurs and academics on the rapidly changing global economy. Together, we will build mutual understanding, create great value and shape the future for Shanghai, China, Asia and the world.”
The Forum consists of three major sessions that include keynote speeches, panel discussions and faculty seminars, which will cover topics including investment, technology, real estate, international trade and health care. The speaker lineup features a star-studded array of industry leaders including Sina Corporation Chairman and CEO Charles Chao, Novartis Pharmaceuticals China Head Ingrid Zhang, E-House Chairman Zhou Xin, University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Dean of the Wharton School Geoffrey Garrett.
Other panelists from superstar companies such as Morgan Stanley, Apollo Global Management, McKinsey & Company, Google, Facebook and Walmart will share deep industry knowledge and insights. Each day will conclude with a “Last Call” session led by Dean Garrett, which summarizes key takeaways from that day’s presentations.
Since their establishment, Wharton Global Forums have been held 52 times in 31 countries around the world and attended by numerous powerhouse guests such as Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jian Lin, Chairman and President of New Oriental Michael Yu, Chairman and CEO for J.P. Morgan Asia Pacific Nicolas Aguzin, CSO of NBA China Masaaki Matsuzawa, Women’s Recruitment and Development Director at McKinsey & Company Grace Ho and Global Head of Startups at Microsoft Annie Parker.
The 53rd Wharton Global Forum marks the eighth time the Forum has taken place in China since 2007, and the third time in Shanghai since 2004, which indicates the significance of this city to the Wharton School and the Wharton Global Forum program. More details on the Forum can be found at: https://whartonshanghai19.com/.
About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 18,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 98,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.