AN EVENING WITH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA / 2024

Obama - © Fille Roelants-58

President Barack Obama

In March 2024, we made history by flying President Barack Obama to Belgium for an unforgettable pre-opening event at FTI Supernova. A firm advocate of entrepreneurship as a force for positive change, President Obama highlighted the essence of SuperNova: “Entrepreneurship remains the engine of growth. Ultimately, the world needs your creativity and your energy and your vision.”

Two thousand lucky guests joined us for An Evening with President Barack Obama, where they experienced a thought-provoking, moderated conversation between the president and Jurgen Ingels. Together, they explored the challenges we face and President Obama’s vision for the future.

Lieven Scheire, Flanders’ best-known science communicator, kicked off the night with an accessible and engaging talk about AI. He shed light on AI’s capabilities and even revealed its inner workings. The event was the perfect prelude to FTI SuperNova 2024!

Do you wish you were there, or want to relive the magic?
We got you: find the pictures below.

Barack Obama was a fountain of wisdom for entrepreneurs that evening. One of his insights on leadership was: Your main strengths as a leader should be to attract talent, hire people who are better than you, and embrace diversity. Your job is to orchestrate and anticipate problems.

Xavier Bouckaert / CEO Roularta

Quote Xavier Bouckaert

Discover 5 life lessons from An Evening with... President Barack Obama

President Obama's words still reverberate today. Let's have a look at our five key takeaways from An Evening with Barack Obama, offering valuable lessons for life and entrepreneurship.

“Don’t chase headlines: focus on your North star.”

President Obama was clear: don’t pay attention to day-to-day distractions but maintain a
focus on our bigger picture and long-term goals. Success comes from following your vision,
so keep your eyes on your guiding principles. This piece of advice is crucial for politicians
and business leaders alike, helping them prioritize what really matters.

“Being a good storyteller is also knowing how to listen.”

You can’t be an effective storyteller without being a good listener. Your audience connects
with what they know, see, experience and love - not with abstract concepts. When
embracing the role of a leader, it’s essential to listen, empower, and orchestrate. By
understanding different perspectives, you can effectively inspire and lead. Remember,
storytelling is not just about “telling”.

Read more...

 

Barack Obama embodies hope and all that's possible. With his background and his journey as a trailblazer in his remarkable career, he has become an exceptionally valuable role model for many. The parallels with the participants in the Boost for Talents program are never far off. It was particularly inspiring for the Boosters to witness this eloquent benefactor, philanthropist, and world-changer. His active involvement with the Obama Foundation drives so much change. It inspires many, including myself, to remain actively committed to my project and to the greater good.

Yamina Krossa / General Manager at Boost for Talents (King Baudouin Foundation)

Quote Yamina Krossa

Photo

Gallery

Did you attend An Evening With President Barack Obama and would you like to spot yourself in one of our photos? Or are you just curious about what the event looked like? Discover it through the photo albums bellow.

Photo album / High Tea

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Photo album / Evening show

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Obama - © Fille Roelants-58

Hearing President Obama speak was a truly unique experience. In that unforgettable keynote, Obama’s message on the power of passion, perseverance and vision resonated deeply within me. To all aspiring entrepreneurs: embrace your passion, pursue your vision, and believe in your ability to turn your dreams into reality. Yes, you can.

Zhong Xu / Co-Founder & CEO at Deliverect

Quote Zong Xhu