WFDSA’s World Congress XV "Own the Future"

WFDSA’s World Congress XV “Own the Future” was held on October 2-3 2017 in Paris, France.   The event was a great success with an attendance of 500 delegates from more than 50 countries around the world and more than 50 CEOs and various government officials from a number of countries.

The Congress was opened by Founder & Chairman of Captin Tortue and Chairman of the World Congress Steering Committee Philippe Jacquelinet, who welcomed all delegates to event.  Emma Crosby, the  BBC journalist moderated the plenary sessions.  WFDSA Chairman DeVos officially opened the 15th world Congress.  The event brought together DSAs, member company executives, government officials, academia and media from all over the world. WFDSA Executive Director Tamuna Gabilaia presented on the global state of the direct selling industry.

Betrand Piccard, the Swiss aeronaut who flew around the world with “Solar Impulse”, the first solar-power plane shared his vision of a fast-moving world in his keynote speech which focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Pascal Lamy, former Director of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and former European Commissioner for Trade gave insights about the current and future global challenges the world will face.

Chairman Doug DeVos moderated a discussion on owning the future with top industry leaders.

The World Congress also featured interactive workshops including relevant topics for the future of the industry such as Generation Y, the evolution of consumption and distribution, successful digital transformation, the collaborative economy, successful in Europe, the company of the future, and the future of connected tools in direct selling and social media and direct selling.

In his address as new Chairman of WFDSA, Magnus Brannstrom, CEO and President of Oriflame stated, “I am very honored and privileged to serve the direct selling industry as Chairman of the WFDSA during these exciting times.  The world is going through digital transformation.  I believe the direct selling, with its communities of people united by a joint purpose, is more relevant than ever for empowering entrepreneurship through offering quality products and services.  I look forward to continue to build and develop on my predecessors’ long legacy of improving the standards of the global direct selling industry”.

WFDSA Executive Director Tamuna Gabilaia announced that  the next World Congress will take place in Thailand in 2020.

Delegates of the World Congress attended three prestigious events including the welcome dinner, cruise on the river seine and the Gala and Awards dinner at the exceptional setting of the Chateau de Varsailles.  This unique event celebrated the end of the World Congress.  Thanks again to the French DSA for the most unforgettable WFDSA XV World Congress!