The Technology Meetings, organized for the 87th time under the auspices of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), took place at the Vehbi Koç Congress Center in Eskişehir. The event, which had “Digital Businesses” as its main theme this year had 25 speakers and addressed topics such as Artificial Intelligence, e-Commerce, e-Export, Digitalization, Metaverse, NFT, and Blockchain in 4 different sessions.
The organizers of the event were Eticaret Inc., and the Woman in Technology Association (Wtech), and the main sponsor was IKAS. The opening speech of the event was delivered by Zehra Öney, the Founding President of the Woman in Technology Association.
Öney emphasized that technology is increasingly making its presence felt in every aspect of our lives, and discussed the necessity for keeping up with the rapid changes brought about by technology.
WE HAVE BECOME MORE GLOBALIZED THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY
Öney stated in her opening speech, “Especially with the increasing presence of new technologies that have a transformative effect on our lives, we have become more globalized, more capable, and have more opportunities today. On the other hand, do we have the skills to manage, produce, and utilize these technologies?” While talking about the transformation the world is going through with artificial intelligence, Öney said, “We are all talking about ChatGPT these days, it’s very popular just like a pop artist. Everyone is mentioning it, using it, and rightly so. Because ChatGPT is a very important artificial intelligence revolution.”
ÖZDEMİR: YOU CAN GENERATE BILLION-DOLLAR VALUE WITH A SINGLE DOMAIN
Merter Özdemir, the Founder of Türkiye’s Technology Meetings, emphasized that billion-dollar brands like Trendyol and Yemeksepeti can be created by acquiring just one domain and highlighted the need for Türkiye to produce more digital content. Özdemir pointed out that applications like Netflix and Spotify lead to e-imports, and said “If 220 countries are selling us these types of applications, then Türkiye should also sell to 220 countries. We need to direct the flow of money towards Türkiye.”
87 MEETINGS IN 31 CITIES
Özdemir elaborated on the reasons for organizing the Technology Meetings in Türkiye, and said: “We have held this organization in 31 cities in Türkiye. We enable our sponsors, speakers, and special guests to meet with the business world in the cities where we are present. When we started, people were not using digital technologies effectively. We have been working to change that. Today, everyone has a mobile phone, but we mostly use it for socializing. We want to use it more for commerce. When you integrate the internet into your business, you start one step ahead.”
KESİKBAŞ’S CALL TO YOUTH: GET EDUCATED AT ESO ACADEMY
Celalettin Kesikbaş, the President of Eskişehir Chamber of Industry, also spoke during the opening ceremony about the digital transformation the world is experiencing. He mentioned that as Eskişehir Chamber of Industry, they provide significant training on new-generation jobs at ESO Academy to keep up with this transformation. Addressing the university students participating in the Technology Meetings, Kesikbaş called on them to participate in these educational programs related to new-generation jobs.
ZEYDAN: THOSE MAKING PROGRESS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD ARE A STEP AHEAD
Ömer Zeydan, a Board Member of TOBB and the President of Eskişehir Commodity Exchange, stated in his speech that it has become increasingly difficult for companies that fail to adapt to digital transformation to survive, emphasizing that companies making advancements in this regard have an edge. Zeydan mentioned that Eskişehir Commodity Exchange is open to all entrepreneurs who contribute to content production and the global digital transformation.
