Overview
Under the theme “innovating at scale,” the World Economic Forum will convene the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) in Dalian, China. Known as “Summer Davos,” the meeting has served as the Forum’s flagship platform for entrepreneurship, innovation and next-generation growth companies since 2007. More than 1,500 leaders from business, government and academia — as well as innovators — will gather to help translate technological promise into economic progress, enterprise and employment.
The program will spotlight the innovation, entrepreneurship and public-private cooperation needed to turn disruption into opportunity, organized around five core questions:
- How can prosperity be built amid shifting geoeconomic and industrial realities?
- What does the next phase of China’s economic trajectory mean for global growth and investment?
- How can technology be harnessed for outcomes in the real economy?
- What will it take to create jobs and opportunities for the next generation?
- How can energy and climate transitions strengthen competitiveness?
Learn more about the event here.
Oliver Wyman Forum, in collaboration with the Marsh Asia leadership team, will join global leaders at AMNC to help address some of the most significant challenges facing the world today and host an accredited session at the meeting.
Accredited session
June 23, 12:30–1:30 pm CST
Cities As The New Economic Engines: Where Innovation Scales
Cities are where global economic shifts become real outcomes. As trade realigns and governments adopt new industrial strategies, cities serve as execution platforms—connecting capital, infrastructure, talent, and risk. They deploy new technologies and scale innovation, from Al-driven healthcare to advanced manufacturing, shaping productivity and job creation for future generations.
This session will feature four senior global leaders from across the private sector, bringing complementary perspectives on talent and workforce strategy, urban design and infrastructure, risk and insurance, and investment and development. Together, they will explore how cities translate strategy into scalable, real-world impact.
But which cities are leading the way? How should companies and investors prioritize? And how can businesses and governments partner effectively to scale urban technologies—profitably and resiliently?
Moderator: Ben Simpfendorfer, partner and Asia Pacific Lead, Oliver Wyman Forum
Speakers: Anny Zhang, chief executive officer, China, JLL; TC Chew, managing director, Asia Pacific, Arup; Francois Lancon, president, Asia Pacific and Middle East, ManpowerGroup; Howard Dawber OBE, deputy mayor for business and growth, Greater London Authority
Register here to secure your seat at the session.
Please note this session takes place in the Dalian International Conference Center, which is only accessible to registered delegates of the WEF Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026.
Meet the team
