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It's been 1 month since we held ArabNet Beirut 2014 in Habtoor Grand Hotel. We thought it would be a good idea to recall the most sensational highlights of the events. From the Design+Code Day, to the Startup Demo, Ideathon, and Creative Combat, to the top panels on social media and entrepreneurship, etc... Can you spot yourself in any of the photos?

Design+Code Day & Lightning Talks

 

The main focus of the day was mostly workshops on version control systems, usability testing, Node.js and the Google APIs, creativity in design, and digital Arabic typography.

Lightning Talks are community curated, fast-paced 5-minute talks given by experienced developers or designers, about a specific case-study or experience that they've encountered throughout their career.

Opening Ceremony

 

ArabNet Beirut opened on March 5th 2014 under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman, at the Hilton Hotel Habtoor. The conference is the fifth edition of the annual conference organized by the ArabNet, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon and the strategic partnership with Bank Audi, as it seeks to achieve its objective to support entrepreneurship, especially in the field of Internet and mobile technology, in the Middle East and North Africa.The opening ceremony featured a speech given by the Lebanese Minister of Communication Boutros Harb...

Announcements by Alfa and MEVP

At least two major announcements were made at ArabNet Beirut: Alfa announced opening their own Alfa Store, and MEVP announced that they had raised 67 million USD in venture funds.

TechFair

ArabNet Beirut 2014 exposed leading digital companies and promising startups to a crowd of 700 attendees of digital professionals and business experts. 

Startup Demo, Ideathon, and Creative Combat

 

The Creative Combat highlighted young talents in regional advertising, communications and media industries. The competition challenged teams of 2-3 to come up with a plan for an effective digital marketing campaign that addressed a specific creative brief in just 1 week. 

Great Panels

From a Social Media debate on whether to do in-house social media or outsource it, to Sayfco's success in Facebook Ads, to the Entrepreneurship panel with Mike Butcher, and much more... 

Taste of Beirut

 

ArabNet made a point to honor all innovative sectors of the Middle East including, of course, food. After the first Forum Day was wrapped on March 5th, a mouthwatering culinary feast  was held for the visiting guests and entrepreneurs in Beirut Digital District to savor 16 different flavors of Beirut. Over 200 attendees abandoned their formal suits and business cards and strolled and mingled in the 3000 square-meter space, allowing their taste buds to sample more than 16 food and beverage products. Drinks and liquor flowed while the delicious aroma of Indian, Vietnamese, Lebanese (of course), Italian, Moroccan, and Chinese platters filled the huge tent that was set up specifically for this event. The witty, nostalgic songs of Ziad Rahbani and other Lebanese oldies played by the band Wahdon added that special Beirut flavor which we all love.

Popular Selfie & Tweets

From Left to Right: Tony Wannous, Founder & CEO of Koein- Zaid Farekh , CTO & Co-Founder of Semantic Intelligent Technologies - Fadi Sabbagha , CEO of Born Interactive - Omar Christidis , Founder and CEO of ArabNet - and Mhamad Tanahy , Founder of Bright Creations