BestCities Global Forum Tokyo - December 2017

Sean is a facilitator with over twenty five years’ experience of leading and supporting organisations to innovate, learn and change.

He is a co-founder of the Service Design Network. He was an honorary Fellow in Enterprise at Durham University. He served as a Trustee of the Royal Society of Arts, a council member of the Design Council and a commissioner on the Mayor for London’s Creative Industry Commission.

Hiroo Ichikawa is an expert in urban policy, urban/ regional planning, crisis management and has authored numerous books on issues related to Tokyo and metropolitan regions. Prof. Ichikawa will be discussing the strengths and opportunities of Tokyo in the next five to ten years and how Tokyo will be changing towards the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games and onwards.

Miriam is an internationally experienced facilitator with a focus on talent development in the areas of global leadership and cultural intelligence. During the past 20 years, she has lived and worked in seven countries across Asia Pacific and Europe. Currently based in Singapore, Miriam helps talented professionals to develop effective leadership skills in a global context. Miriam will engage us in how to build productive professional relationships across cultures.

Self-proclaimed “accidental executive” Rick Antonson habitually opts for the path less wandered - or sometimes where there’s not path at all. As former President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, Rick also made time to travel the world and author five books, yet has had his hand in some of Canada’s most renowned accomplishments including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for which Rick served as an Ambassador.

Mathias Posch is President and Partner of International Conference Services (ICS). With its Headquarters in Vancouver, Canada and branch offices in Toronto, Denver, London, Vienna & Barcelona, the company manages associations, online education and conferences around the globe – in 38 countries on 6 continents thus far. Mathias is Vice President of IAPCO, represents the organisation on the Events Industry Council and leads the IAPCO Partnership Programme with PCMA and IPCAA. He is a respected industry expert and has been invited to speak at numerous international and national conferences. He is a Faculty Member of the IAPCO Training Academy as well as the Meetings MasterClass and has presented at many Industry Seminars around the world. Under his leadership, his company has successfully adapted the mandate of providing professionals with various continuing education options throughout their careers – inside and outside a conference center. Mathias has become passionate about Japan and Japanese culture and is excited to be part of the BestCities Global Forum in one of his favourite cities.

Mr. Gómez has been working in business consulting (specific in communications) for almost two decades: planning, developing and executing communications strategies for different companies. He focused on issues like crisis management, mergers, public affairs and corporate matters. Andrés started as a journalist, then worked in the public sector, and after started working in consultancy.

Andres in mentor for Endeavor and Ashoka. He is a speaker, teacher, and Ed Op for several magazines. He runs marathons. Andres studied mass media communications, he received a Master Degree in Media Management, Information and Audiovisuals and he holds two specializations: one in European Culture Studies focused on Politics, Sociology and Economics and the other in Political Marketing and Public Opinion. He also holds a GDP in business.