The highly anticipated Middle Managers’ Leadership Conference 2024 (MMC 2024) kicks off today at the Jamaica Pegasus convening a diverse array of industry experts and thought leaders from across the globe.

Hosted in hybrid fashion attendance will be both in-person and online.

The two-day event (May 1 & 2) promises unparalleled insights, networking opportunities, and professional development for middle managers seeking to propel their careers and their organisations to new heights.

The hallmark of the Middle Managers’ Leadership Conference is its roster of distinguished presenters, comprising CEOs, executive VPs, presidents, and directors from various sectors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, offering attendees insights in navigating the complexities of modern business landscapes.

Rebecca Houghton, CEO of BoldHR based in Australia, will be bringing the full weight of her expertise to the Middle Managers’ Leadership Conference. She shares, “You know how incredibly difficult life is as a mid-level leader and you also know how critical mid-level leaders are to delivering on corporate performance and results. What I do is develop high-impact middle managers who are more poised, more productive and more promotable”.

Jerome Miles, general manager of Rainforest Caribbean and one of the esteemed presenters, emphasised the significance of the event, stating, “It not only provides cutting-edge presentations by prominent business leaders from across the globe but is also a unique networking opportunity for participants. The forum also provides a platform to build and expose your personal brand and share and get instant feedback on ideas.”

Other presenters at the 2024 staging include Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security; Sydney Thwaites, president, Jamaica Manufacturers & Exporters Association; Dominic Beaubrun, managing director, Jamaica Observer Media Group; Andrew Wynter, CEO, Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency; and Dr Bryan McCabe, president, Bakke Graduate University (USA).

Dr Jacqueline Coke Lloyd, conference convenor and managing director of Make Your Mark Consultants, has introduced a new innovative pitch competition to foster leadership development.

This competition is designed to nurture middle managers’ skills in adaptability, courage, public speaking, and presentation. Conference delegates will have an equal opportunity to present an abstract of their presentation on the topic ‘Beyond Technical Skills and into Power and Soft Skills’. Up to five delegates will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis to present their summaries, with live voting determining the top three finalists.

On May 2 the pitch process commences with the top three presenting their ideas to a panel of judges and conference attendees. Each finalist will have 10 minutes to present, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. The presentations will be evaluated based on accuracy of information, depth of experience, creativity, relevance to the conference theme, and adherence to time limits.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Middle Managers Pitch Competition as part of the Middle Managers Leadership Conference this year,” said Dr Coke-Lloyd, highlighting that the process promises to unearth innovation and thrill attendees.