On June 23, LebNet Vancouver brought together an exceptional group of leaders from technology, healthcare, investment, engineering, real estate, and industrial innovation for its inaugural Meeting of the Minds roundtable, setting the stage for the growth of a vibrant Lebanese professional community across Western Canada.

Hosted by Marianne Zakhour and Elio Ibrahim, the gathering created a unique space for meaningful conversations around artificial intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration, while exploring how the community can contribute to the future of Western Canada.

A highlight of the afternoon was a keynote by Ibrahim Gedeon, former Chief Technology Officer of TELUS and author of Automata, who shared his perspectives on AI, innovation, leadership, and the technological shifts shaping the decade ahead.

The discussion that followed reflected the remarkable diversity of expertise in the room. Participants exchanged ideas on the opportunities and challenges facing their industries, explored the growing impact of AI and emerging technologies, and identified opportunities for collaboration that could generate meaningful economic, social, and technological impact.

A central theme of the afternoon was shaping the future of LebNet Vancouver itself. Together, participants discussed how the community can create lasting value through mentorship, knowledge sharing, meaningful connections, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the Lebanese professional ecosystem across Western Canada creating meaningful economic and social impact for the region as a whole.

The energy in the room was evident throughout the event. As attendees shared:

"What a great afternoon today was!"

"Very interesting and interested crowd."

Building on this momentum, the group is already planning its next gathering, with a kickoff luncheon scheduled for September to continue growing relationships, ideas, and opportunities within the community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their insights. This gathering marked an exciting first step toward building a thriving LebNet Vancouver community, and we look forward to what comes next.