Fwd: Welcome to the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference 2024!
Daniel Koroma
Date: Fri, Oct 18, 2024, 12:11 PM
Subject: Welcome to the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference 2024!
To:
Good Morning,
This time tomorrow the second annual Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference will be in full swing!
Thank you for agreeing to be a part of this journey and my dream to build a community of leaders and changemakers eager to make what we have (Mama Salone), how we want it to be! Whether you're speaking, watching virtually or attending as a guest, I could not have done this without you!
I’ve always believed that a small group of determined people with a shared vision can and will change Salone and that’s why I decided to convene this conference for business leaders, policymakers, and investors. We have guests attending from as far away as South Africa, the UK, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Tenki! Baikaway! Momoyo! Barka!
Below are guidelines and attendee FAQs:
Conference Venue - Majestic Ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Gaithersburg, Maryland (620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20877, USA). Check in & Registration for all conference participants including speakers - (8:00am - 9:00am).
Registration: opens at 8:00am. Everyone on the program (including VIP guests) has a printed ID. Other attendees will need to write their names once they check in on the guest list. Check in will close at 9:00am. If you come after then volunteers would have moved on and you may not get assistance.
I have attached the program book. There will also be a printed copy on your table.
Seating: VIP tables are for Moderators, Panelists, Speakers and VIP ticketed guests. The rest of the seats are open to all guests. Do not come late but if you must come late please wait in the back of the room until there is a break to find your seat. Come early and that won't happen. Please fill up tables instead of starting a new table. Media coverage looks best when tables are filled and everyone is together.
Timing: I believe that timeliness is excellence. I respect all of you far too much to have anyone attend an event and have their time wasted. Last year we started at 9:05am. This year my goal is to beat that and start at 9:00am. The only way we can start at 9:00am is if you have your coffee in hand and are seated before then. However if there is only one person in the room at start time we will start.
Hot & Cold Drink Station: Coffee, tea and other drinks will be available all day. Please eat a good breakfast as only drinks will be available.
Lunch Buffet: We will break for lunch at 1:00pm - 2:00pm, food is catered by the DoubleTree by Hilton. I asked them to add jollof but please if no to di jollof way you sabi na for bia dem. Also, the hotel does not allow food from outside their premises.
Parking: Please drive all the way to the back of the hotel past the entrance as there is adequate parking at the back and closer to the banquet hall.
Networking: Do come with business cards and an open mind, to meet, connect and share ideas. Everyone attending the conference is there for the same purpose. Don't be shy to start a conversation when we break up. But remember that while speakers and panelists are talking is not the time for networking.
What to Wear: Suits, Business Casual and African Attire welcome
Questions: We have a tight schedule and have not left much room for questions because moderating them can be a challenge. Our questions tend to be long winded and come three at a time. E no easy for keep to time. During networking breaks feel free to ask questions of panelists and speakers.
Vendors: Please arrive between 7:30am - 9:30am to set up. The vendor tables are at the entrance of the banquet hall. If you set up early guests arriving in the morning can see your brand as they arrive.
Shopping: We have nine vendors participating this year. Bring cash and cards to buy organic honey and fonio, African fashion made in Sierra Leone, Poyo to take home, and many others.
Media Coverage: We have a paid team of photographers and videographers documenting the conference
Social Media: Feel free to live tweet or post quotes and photos and short videos throughout the day. The hashtag is #SLDIC2024 #WeAreTheInvestors I will do a roundup blog of your tweets and posts next week.
Livestream link: If you purchased a livestream ticket please login to watch the conference here: https://streamyard.com/watch/urmbG7J9xZnk. We go live at 9:00am. We will prioritize questions from the livestream.
For more Info: During the conference if you have any questions whatsoever please contact Kadisha Conteh, conference coordinator, she’ll have a name tag. If you can't find her feel free to text her on +1 (202) 407-2109.
VIP Networking: We have a reservation at The Continent in DC for VIP Business Executives and speakers/panelists. Please RSVP if you plan on attending so we can add you to the guest list. That meet up starts at 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. I don't know the parking situation but it's DC so be wise. Small chops will be covered by us but drinks and dinner (should you choose to join us for dinner will be on you). Bring a change of clothes to the conference if you don't wanna wear your 9-5 clothes in da streets.
In all things I try to do what is right and to deliver a meaningful experience for the community. If for whatever reason the conference falls short of expectations, blame me. In Ghana and Sierra Leone I am supported by an amazing team, here in the US, I’m a team of one (hoping to grow). There will be a post conference survey. I am also available for one-on-one post conference calls if you have great ideas on how I can deliver a better conference but also make more impact–make it easier for diaspora investors to connect and invest in Salone.
Shout out to an amazing conference coordinator Kadisha Conteh who has been my partner in crime over the past year. If you’re planning anything she’s an amazing ally and doer! Thank you to our sponsors and partners including LeonOil Company, DT-Global, Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, Jobomax, and the incredible team that is VR&C Marketing in Freetown and Accra who did all the design and content marketing for this campaign. i bi ma!
See you all at the conference. If I forget anything, you’ll get one last email from me at 8:00pm tonight.
Much love to you and the land that we love.
Regards,
Vickie
Director of Digital Media