The MIB Annual Conference is always an important date in the calendar for Midea International Business, but 2024 was an especially momentous occasion as overseas colleagues were welcomed home for the first time in four years.

From January 17th to 18th, more than 400 colleagues from all over the world came to Midea Group HQ for two days of fascinating business sharings, unforgettable team building activities, and a gala dinner befitting such a long-awaited reunion. While the conference was an opportunity for friends old and new to meet and celebrate all their achievements in 2023, the focus had already shifted to 2024 and to the key message of “Be brave, leap upward”.

The key message of ‘Be brave, leap upward’ was delivered by Eric Wang, President of MIB, who closed the second day of the conference with his keynote address. In his speech, Eric reflected on 2023 and commended colleagues for their dedication and hard work to deliver a record performance in a year where the world faced many global uncertainties.

Looking to 2024, Eric kept returning to the key message of ‘Be brave, leap upward’. To “be brave” to rise to the inevitable challenges by being the change that we wish to see ourselves. To “leap” by fully utilizing all our strengths to write a new chapter in MIB’s OBM transformation, but also ensuring we "upward” with product portfolios that are strong and brand images that are differentiated. In keeping with Midea Group’s key message for 2024, MIB must be brave, leap upward, and brave the waves together.

Each business unit gave detailed reports from their markets followed by MIB Vice President and Americas President Lewis Fu, EMEA President Scott Fu, and APAC President Zeal Jiang delivering summaries of their respective regions. Meanwhile, MIB HQ Head of Departments put forward their plans for how they would support the frontline in 2024 and there was also time for special presentations from the likes of EMEA Sales Manager Ibrahim Heneidy, MACC Sales Director Stan Porrzuczek, and MEI Product Management Head Antonius Widjaja.

Once the conference had concluded, colleagues moved outside for an afternoon packed full of team building fun. From carrying giant balls and climbing towers, the games give a chance for colleagues who did not normally work together to get to know one another.

After the fun and games had ended, proceedings moved on to the evening gala dinner. Overseas colleagues were able to enjoy some of the local dishes that has made Shunde cuisine so famous while on stage they were entertained with live performances.

HQ colleagues revealed hidden talents with some impressive choreographed dance routines and comedy performances. Later in the evening, several overseas colleagues shared songs and dances from their own countries with plenty of HQ colleagues joining in with the fun.

By all accounts, the 2024 MIB Annual Conference was a resounding success with the long-awaited welcoming home of overseas colleagues, a celebration of a record-breaking 2023, and the confirmation of an ambitious plan for 2024. As colleagues left the conference with the message to “be brave, leap upward”, it was clear that MIB is ready to brave the waves and create history in 2024.