TEDxEuston team @ TEDxSummit in Doha

This week, two members of our team are in Doha, Qatar for the first ever TEDxSummit. This is a summit of all the TEDx event organisers worldwide to brainstorm on ideas to keep creating the events, the tribe, the community the passion that is changing the way we interact with our world. - the power of "x"! Ill blog about the event later in the week but first to speak about our first day in this incredible city called Doha.

Arriving early on Saturday morning, I went straight into town to look around and wow ...what a sight! Despite the challenges in the global economy there there seemed to be more skyscrapers going up in Doha than anywhere else in the world.

Nothing better encapsulates the transformation going on in Doha than this billboard. I particularly liked the emphasis on "Think".

Most of my morning was spent at the SHELL Research and Technology Centre in the Qatar Science and Technology Park....and what a trip it was. We were taken on a tour round the facility by an amazing group of scientists that shared with us cutting edge science at this facility. What I had here thereto not quite imagined were the incentives offered by Qatar to oil companies to not only move their oil production capacity to Qatar but also their research capacity; from CO2 conservation to Sulphur to new Gas to Liquid fuels....I was in awe not only of the science but of the passion of the scientists and pride in the facility. Of course all this time, thinking of the opportunities lost in Nigeria. Pictures here!

After this I met up with Ike and Maz-Jordan Degadjor of TEDxDzorwulu in Ghana and we headed off to the Museum for Islamic Arts. Now this was a complete eye opener! The Museum of Islamic Art is one of the world’s most complete collections of Islamic artifacts and dedicated to reflecting the full vitality, complexity, and diversity of the arts of the Islamic world. It is a world-class collecting institution - rich in history and art - absolutely beautiful in its design. No surprise as it was designed by Pei, who was coaxed out of retirement to design this. It is was built on the water,  surrounded by a park. Pictures here. 

Then as is with these things - a group naturally came together at the end of the day and headed out to the Souq - a popular old market square in the middle of Doha. Yes, there was no alcohol - but still with the energy in the group - we barely noticed. We had a blast - ably led by out host from Doha - Sheik Uzair! We did just fine with tea and shisha! Pictures here. 

As the first day in Doha came to an end...it felt like a week! But we knew that the best was yet to come. This week ...we would feel the power of "X".....to the power "x". More gist later!