Gec open book 2015

1 5 O C T- 9 D E C

P R E M I U M

C O R P O R A T E

C H A R I T Y

2015

G O L F

T O U R N A M E N T

The Global Enterprise Connect (GEC) Open— the fastest growing corporate golf tournament— was initiated in 2014 in UAE. Today, GEC Open represents an international network of corporate golf tournament promoted by the fastest growing IT Magazine– Enterprise Channels MEA and in association with the local Golfing partners. We are delighted to be able to connect with several top executives from countries across the globe and were able to recognise 33 top executive for their excellent contribution to the business community with “GEC Excellence Awards”. Little did we know that this was just the beginning!

´FROM THE ORGANIZER´S DESK´

GEC Open played host to one of the most overwhelming corporate golf tournament that the region has seen by touring 6 countries across the GCC in 2015 with the participation of over 500 players from different walks of the corporate from different industry. GEC Open 2015 spreaded its arms to six different countries namely UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey and India and was hosted with its charity partners— Dubai Autism Centre, UAE Red Crescent Authority and KISS-Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences to support their causes.

GEC Open materializes as the ideal turfs for business connect, client entertainment, networking, relation building and most importantly— humanity to flourish.

We are extremely happy to announce that GEC Open 2016 which will be held in the 12 fastest growing countries connecting Africa , Middle East & Asia, and we are sure the journey is getting only bigger and better in 2016. We look forward to marking our achievement bringing top finalist from all countries to two days World Final – 2016 in Dubai.

—T U S H A R SA H O O , G LO BA L E N T E R P R I S E CO N N EC T FO U N D E R & CO O

Teamwork, Companionship & Humanity are essential in life as they are in any business. These attributes are fundamental to the GEC Open Golf World Tour. The GEC Open is a global, corporate event that spans the pristine courses of countries ranging from North to South Africa, The GCC & Asia. An event that is unsurpassed in networking, fun, and opportunities for all to test our weekend warrior skills against corporate leaders from all sectors. So to all out there, join in hitting them long and straight, be it in Dubai or under the watchful eye of the Sphinx in Egypt...

EXPERT’s VIEW

I look forward to playing an integral part of this excellent concept, with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. The association should be commended on their tireless efforts in growing the event. Having managed it to the next level by expanding the reach to new countries across Europe, UAE and Far East. The concept, reach and success of this event will forever increase, expand and be hosted as the unsurpassed corporate challenge, for years to come.

VAS S M A F I L AS E X EC U T I V E D I R EC TO R B I ZG O L F M E​A

Connecting top execs across the globe with style

A PREMIUM CHARITY GOLF WORLD TOUR Charity that makes a difference

6

Charity that takes care of the needy

Re-Kindling the Passion for Sports and Humanity

C H A R I T Y PA RT N E R S

Technology that has a humane side

Game that gives birth to friendships

7

THE INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

“It is rare to see well organized events that bring together top IT professionals and executives in such a forum where a wealth of experience and knowledge are exchanged, and to have golf tournaments along with charity support is just unique and admirable. I am looking forward from now to the next event” —DR. JASSIM HAJI, DIRECTOR, IT, GULF AI R

8

“Blending Sports with Charity is one of the best things I have come across and as an industry, we all would give our full support to GEC´s initiative” — N I R A N J SA N G A L C EO , O M A E M I R AT ES - S O LU T I O N S G U L F

“GEC is a superb concept that helps me to keep my Life Work Balance in perfect shape, as I can meet Top Executives from the ICT Community while enjoying the best Golf Courses in the Region. I am looking forward to this year’s GEC and wish we will see more support and pro-active engagement from the “Golfing ICT Community”.

—MARIO M. VELJOVIC VICE PRESIDENT SOLUTIONS MEA AT GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION FZE - ‎ G LOBAL DISTRIBUTION FZE - GLOBAL SOLUTIONS NETWORK

“It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of the ECMEA and GEC Open initiatives that have taken place in 2015. As well as leadership for IT initiatives, they have shown leadership for good causes and charities supporting people in the Middle East region. It is this will and desire to help and develop people positively through technology and good initiatives that creates a positive future for people, businesses and the region”.

“GEC Open has given us a pleasant platform to connect with our colleagues whom we work with every day, but seldom meet on a relaxed platform.”

—A JAY R AT H I D I R EC TO R O F I N FO R M AT I O N T EC H N O LO GY, M E R A AS H O L D I N G

“GEC comes up with the most innovative and fresh ideas and this has compelled us to partner with GEC Open for the second consecutive year and this is something very close to our heart.”

—POURNAMI NAIR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE, QA & GR. MARKETING MANAGER @ SPECTRUM GROUP (COMGUARD)

—MUBARIK HUSSAIN HEAD OF IT, PETROS E RV 9

BAHRAIN – RIFFA

TURKEY-ISTANBUL

Royal Golf Club

Kemer Country Club

12 NOV 2015

6 NOV 2015

OMAN – MUSCAT

19 NOV 2015

Almouj Golf at The Wave

UAE- DUBAI

15 OCT 2015 Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental

THE JOURNEY

SAUDI ARABIA – RIYADH

28 NOV 2015

Dirab Golf & Country Club

GRAND FINALE UAE- DUBAI

9 DEC 2015 Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental

INDIA – GURGAON (DELHI NCR)

5 DEC 2015 10

Classic Golf Course - ITC Grand Bharat

“It has become appealingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity” —A L B E RT E I N S T E I N

Enterprise Channels MEA is all set to put to rest the fears of Einstein. As a leading IT media house we root ourselves to the belief that, we bind the industry together, every day. Whatever we do is a collective and connective initiative towards the betterment of humanity and society at large because at the end of each business day, we retire as human beings and every morning we wake up to do something special that makes us feel human while being human. We believe that irrespective of the size and scale, sustained efforts have the power to bring a positive change in the world; and we shall be persistent in our endeavor to help the needy, inspire the ones falling short of motivation and spread smiles far and wide.

THE ORIGIN

Who knew a simple conversation over coffee could be so powerful? GEC was one such topic that rose over the brewing coffee beans at the Accent Info Media office… the discussion started with multi-ethnicity in Dubai and ended…. well…. it just doesn’t seem like ending anytime soon? It has begun and it is here to stay. All the enterprises are working day in day out to cater to the rising demands of the end users, chase rising profit graphs and make their marks; but in this race, something tends to take a back seat and that is the CONNECTion in the true sense of the word. This is where we thought an intervention is required urgently and the entire theme of GEC stemmed out of that.

So, we came up with the GEC Open Golf Tournament for the top level executives from IT and associated verticals; a day of undiluted fun, a day whose entire purpose is games, enjoyment and relaxed interactions. When we started, we honestly had no clear idea about the receipt of the industry to this initiative but as the days passed, the excitement started unfolding and then there just was no looking back. The air has been exciting since the first registrations begun and there just seems to be no stop to it.

MISSION

GEC Open strives to be the thread to bind enterprises across the globe with a bond of humanity. It will continue to act as the unified platform where stakeholders across various industries gather, play, have fun, relax, develop new friendships and perform their corporate social responsibility in a way like never before.

VISION

The vision is to be a truly global brand that redefines connections on a humane foundation.

11

PARTNERS IN THE JOURNEY

12

CHARITY PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

13

14

UAE

The Land Where Magic Happens 15 OCT 2015

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB

BY INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City is an 18-hole, championship golf course designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones II featuring an award winning clubhouse, four dynamic restaurants, event spaces and a luxurious spa.

The par-72 Al Badia course was designed on an oasis theme and features abundant water, rivers of sand and plants indigenous to the Arabian Gulf. The prestigious course can be played from the maximum 7,388 yards for championship players, down to 5,398 yards for newer players.

“Brilliant event, great networking.

It is always good to be away from the usual corporate meetings and spend time in the sunshine on the golf course. The GEC Open events provided a fantastic platform and opportunity to meet and connect with those from the industry who share a passion for golf. A big thank you to GEC for putting on a series of fantastic golf days.”

—BRODIE MACDONALD, GOLF OPERATIONS MANAGER, PGA PROFESSIONAL, AL BADIA GOLF CLUB

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

TURKEY

Where East Meets West 6 NOV 2015

THE KEMER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB UZUNKEMER MEVKII

Kemer Golf Club is a parkland style course which was designed to meet USGA standards. It hosts many national and international tournaments and the national Turkish team also train there. It was designed by Joan Dudok Van Heel. Set amongst the rolling hills of the Belgrade Forest, the Club offers a championship golf course of rare beauty and challenge, a stunning wind through the hilly forests of Kemer, featuring lush green fairways and artfully contoured bunkers.

“It was an absolute pleasure hosting the GEC Open Turkey edition. Absolutely energetic and friendly team to work with. We look forward to welcoming them for the 2016 edition also.”

—EROL SIMSEK , GOLF DIRECTOR, KEMER COUNTRY CLUB

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

BAHRAIN

Combining Legacy with the Winds of Change 12 NOV 2015

ROYAL GOLF CLUB MONTGOMERIE COURSE

The Royal Golf Club is home to Bahrain’s only 18 hole championship standard golf course and to a par 3 9-hole course, both designed by course architect and golfing legend Colin Montgomerie.

The Club is managed by Troon, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, and was named Troon’s 2013 Facility of the Year, the company’s top accolade.

Additional facilities at the Royal Golf Club include award winning restaurants, a golf academy with full practice facilities, a golf & leisure shop, meeting and conference rooms and a country club.

“It was a pleasure to host the GEC Open, Bahrain. The event was a great success and we are looking forward to hosting another for GEC again later in 2016.

The organization from the GEC committee was second to none. The marketing and collateral that was produced was exceptional and the members of GEC staff were a joy to work with.”

—BEN STIMSON, PGA PROFESSIONAL, ROYAL GOLF CLUB

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

OMAN

Grandeur that ceases to fade 19 NOV 2015

ALMOUJ GOLF AT THE WAVE, MUSCAT

Designed by Greg Norman, the course at Almouj Golf will provide a challenging 18 holes of varying lengths and configurations. Located in the new heart of the capital, Almouj Golf at The Wave, Muscat features direct ocean views with several holes lying directly adjacent to the sea.

Norman has captured the essence of the surrounding environment and enhanced it to produce a links style course that runs alongside over two kilometers of beach. The course is 7,342 yards in length, and highlights include a daunting Par 3 island green and a challenging Par 5 that stretches for over 600 yards. The breathtaking views of the Sea of Oman and the Hajar Mountains are visible from everywhere on the course.

“Almouj Golf was proud to host the inaugural GEC Open. As part of a successful series of events played throughout the Middle East the GEC Open pulled together elements of corporate networking, raising funds for very deserving charities, and some competitive golf, a truly great recipe for a great golf day! We look forward to the 2016 event and a long standing relationship.”

—JAMIE WOOD, DIRECTOR OF GOLF, ALMOUJ GOLF

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

SAUDI ARABIA

The Royal Fest 28 NOV 2015

DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Dirab Golf & Country Club pride’s itself as the first 18-holes championship grass golf course (par 72) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nestled amongst the panoramic hills of Dirab ( avast farm located 35 km southeast of Riyadh City) Dirab Golf & Country Club offers the best golf in a totally relaxed and soothing atmosphere. Dirab Golf Course is professionally maintained to competition standards. Renowned for its exceptional year round playing conditions, rolling fairways, large target greens and challenging hazards9holes are floodlit enabling play after sundown.

Having hosted the 1st Saudi Arabian National Amateur Golf Championship in 2001, 10th Annual GCC Golf Championship and 28th Pan Arab Golf Championship, Mena Golf Tour in 2012, Dirab Golf & Country Club is suitable for both seasoned golfer and novices alike.

“Golf tournaments are held at our course round the year, but GEC Open was a unique experience for us as we saw an amalgamation of sports and charity as the players battled out for the qualifiers.”

—BOUCHAIB. EL JADIANI, GOLF DIRECTOR, DIRAB GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

47

48

49

50

51

52

INDIA

The Incredible Land 5 DEC 2015

CLASSIC GOLF COURSE ITC GRAND BHARAT, GURGAON, DELHI NCR The retreat boasts of a 27-hole championship signature golf course designed by the legendary ‘Golden Bear’ Jack Nicklaus, the most accomplished player in the history of the sport. This golf course is the cynosure of the golfing community and charms golfing virtuosos and enthusiasts alike. It is divided into three specialised courses: Ridge Course: Gently undulating dunes mark this nine-hole course.

Valley Course: Nine holes strategically placed around picturesque water bodies.

Canyon Course: A nine-hole course, surrounded by a spectacular craggy canyon space, with breathtaking views of the Aravalis.

“GEC is an excellent concept that connected me with different likeminded peoples locally as well as across the globe , as I could meet top executives from the business community on the greens while enjoying the best golf courses in the region. To have golf tournaments along with CSR is a just unique and one of its kind concept. I look forward for next event” —DHRUV VERMA , CEO, GOLFLAN 53

54

55

56

9 DEC 2015

UAE

The Land Where Magic Happens

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

GEC OPEN FINAL PLAYERS LIST PLAYER 1

COUNTRY

PLAYER 2

COUNTRY

PLAYER 3

COUNTRY

PLAYER 4

COUNTRY

Steward Adams

UAE

Carsten Girst

UAE

Gurbax Singh

UAE

Sidney Dsouza

UAE

Mark Thompson

UAE

Noel Conolly

UAE

Nadeem Mufti

UAE

Puneet Bhatia

UAE

Mohamed Feycal

UAE

Ranjith Narayan

UAE

Aijaz Ahmed

UAE

Rashid Iqbal

UAE

Sandeep Singh

UAE

MK Shin

UAE

Keith Watson

BAHRAIN

Oskar Laupsa

Arif Can Kaman

TURKEY

Didem Aras

TURKEY

Nasarudin Mohammad

Tam Burns Steven Thompson

OMAN SAUDI ARABI

Seniz Ciritci

TURKEY

SAUDI

Tenzin Tsarong

OMAN

Tambas Malawanda

Sanjay Kataria

INDIA

Dhruv Ranjan

INDIA

Rolf Jorgen Strand

ARABI

Neil Myers

BAHRAIN

OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR

David Maltman

UAE

Aadesh Gawde

UAE

Mario Veljovic

UAE

Niranj Sangal

UAE

Masoud Sobati

UAE

John Hughes

UAE

Pedro Kafie

UAE

Shahram Rezapour

UAE

Raja David

UAE

Shekhar Sinha

UAE

Sergy

UAE

Nikolai Ushakov

UAE

Tamir Mohammed

UAE

Mohammad Garda

UAE

Umar Ansari

UAE

Kashif Mohammed

UAE

Christian Carton

UAE

Valery Zabrodin

UAE

Ahmad Fakhreddine

UAE

Siddiq Farid

UAE

70

GEC OPEN TEAM

71

RECOGNISING CORSS COUNTRY BEST PERFORMING INDIVISUALS The GEC Excellence Award is organised Held in conjunction with the GEC Open 2015 tour and it is designed to recognise each country best performing indivisuals, whether private, public or non-profit Organization . GEC Excellence Awards aims to build a bridge in the tech community by rewarding the tech implementers and acknowledging their key role in tech modernization. It recognises industry leaders with an indisputable track record of success in turning strategy into action and continuously improving their organisation’s performance and their contributions towards industry.

With CIOs increasingly prophesized to take up the role of CEO and CFOs, the awards truly reflect the value of the IT decision makers in the modern organizations.

Organisations describe the Award as “like playing in the PGA”, because it is supported by one of the most prestigious and highly popular IT magazine Enterprise Channels MEA. A prize winner is an individual, who demonstrates role model behavior in one of the 8 Fundamental Concepts of GEC Excellence: l Adding Value for Customers l Creating a Sustainable Future l Developing Organisational Capability l Harnessing Creativity & Innovation l Leading with Vision, Inspiration & Integrity l Managing with Agility l Succeeding through the Talent of People l Sustaining Outstanding Results The winners of the GEC Excellence Award are announced at the Gala Dinner during the each country GEC Open qualifying round.

33 top executives across 6 countries awarded in 2015 for the contributions, during the GEC world tour of 2015.

72

THE GEC EXCELLENCE AWARD

AWARD WINNERS OMAN

Media, AlAhlia University

FAIZAL MOHAMED ELEDATH, CIO, NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN

Ahmed AlBanna, CEO, Origin Group

ALI HASSAN MOOSA, CIO, OMAN ARAB BANK MOHAMMED HASSAN AL LAWATI, HEAD OF INFORMATION SECURITY, OAMC BASHEER GHULAM AL BALUSHI, IT MANAGER, BANK SOHAR MESLUM AL KINDI, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER, CROWN PLAZA HOTEL, MUSCAT SULAIMAN MAASHRI, IT SECURITY MANAGER, PDO CHANDRA SHEKHAR JAJWARE, CIO, KHIMJI RAMDAS LLC QATAR Mubarik Hussain, Head of IT, Petroserve Limited Trevor Moore, CIO, Qatar University Jihad Hinawi, CIO, Urabacon Trading and Contracting Rolf Jorgen Strand, Head of IT, Qatar Vinyl Company

Saleh Tradah, Arab ICT Committee Chairman, Information & Communication Technologhy (ICT) Dr. Ahmed A. Al Sharyan, General Secretary, National Oil & Gas Authority (NOGA) Dr. Mohamed Ebrahim Alaseeri, Acting Chief Executive Officer , Bahrain Polytechnic Dr. Khalid M. R. Al-Ruwaihi, Executive Director, Bahrain Center for Strategic, International & Energy Studies (DERASAT) Sheikh Salman Bin Mohammed AlKhalifa, Director IT, Central informatics Organisation (CIO) Eng. Nabeel Abdulrahman Al-Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahmed Alhujairy, Group CEO & Chairman, Gulf Future Business Yousif Mirza, Chief Executive, CrediMax Redha Faraj, CEO, Al Faraj Consulting / Shura Council Member

Stephen Ashley, Information solutions director, Maersk Oil

Rashid Abdulla, Bahrain Telecommunicatin Regularity Authority board Member, Bahrain Telecommunicatin Regularity Authority board Member

TURKEY

Akbar Saati, Group General Manager, Kanoo Travel

Mr. Omer Omeroglu, CIO, Doga college SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN

Khalid AL Mazroa, CISO, CMA

Dr Jassim Haji, Director, IT, Gulf Air

Abdullah Aleid, GM-IT security, MOE

Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Nasser, Assistant Secretary General for Parlimentary Affairs , Shura Council

Majed Othman, CIO, MOJ

Obaidi AlObaidi, Chirman, BTECH

AbdulAziz AlRamaih, CIO, National Guard Health Affairs

Khalifa Alansari, Asst GM for IT, National Bank of Bahrain Ebrahim AlTamimi, Bahrain Centre Of Excellence Manager, Bahrain Centre of Excellence - Prime Minister court Thaira AlShirawi, Director , Public Relations

Ahmed Mansi, SOC- Manager, ZAIN

Eng. Ahmed M. Aldammas, Director, Information Technology , Council of Cooperative Health Insurance Mohammed Jobran, IT Project Manager, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu 73

12 COUNTRIES

WINNERS OF THE 12 QUALIFYING ROUNDS WILL BATTLE IT OUT IN DUBAI!

GHANA

74

JUN

JUL

KENYA

MALAYSIA

AUG

SOUTH AFRICA

EGYPT

TURKEY

SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN

SEP

OCT

NOV

INDIA DEC

GRAND FINALE OMAN QATAR UAE DUBAI 75

ABOUT US Enterprise Channels MEA is an enterprise solutions advisory for channel partners, focusing on the impact of ICT as a solution on the market in terms of enhancing productivity of the workers and efficiency of the services. We emphasize on how the channel partners can improve their scope of earning by embracing business around the solutions. Our audience comprises channel partners including resellers, SIs, Service Providers, ISVs, ISPs, network integrators, VADs, CXOs of all vertical market segments (including Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail, Education, Media, Govt. and BFSI, etc).

The unique differentiator about us is that Enterprise Channels MEA is the only magazine which talks about the futuristic business dynamics. It focuses on enhancing skill sets of the channel partners to offer solutions and services to the customers than dumping products with them. By highlighting vertical-specific market opportunities and trends from ICT perspective, it prepares the partners and the vendors to address the market.

Having associated with the magazine, the vendors and partners showcase their seriousness to the market and looked upon by the readers as the change makers. As the magazine caters to the value players in the IT business fraternity, your investment is yielded with good returns.

CONTACT ACCENT INFO MEDIA MEA FZ-LLC 223, DMC – 9 DUBAI MEDIA CITY DUBAI, UAE E-MAIL: INFO@ACCENTINFOMEDIA.COM WEBSITE: WWW.ACCENTINFOMEDIA.COM PHONE NO: + 971 4368 8523

FOLLOW US: 76

Gec Open

GECOpen

Enterprise Channels MEA

www.gecopen.com

BROUGHT BY

ORGANISED BY