It might be said that the GCC as a whole offers some of the most incredible opportunities for women. Opportunities to step up and meet challenges face on and to stand out and achieve in a landscape which is changing at lightening speed bringing with it exciting options for women and men alike.

The idea for Spirit of Empowerment, Global Women's Conference was born in 2004. We were inspired by the changes we were seeing in Qatar at the time - women excelling and expanding their horizons with education, taking on more leadership roles within the workplace, on the political map and within society as a whole.

It seemed only natural for The Art of Business, our events and communication agency, to provide a service catering to this growing group of dynamic women, many of whom were adopting a pioneering position, bravely venturing into exciting areas where few women had passed before them.

Along with my team, who happened to be predominantly female at the time - we started our usual brainstorming sessions to develop concepts, direction and plans. We were determined to ensure a meaningful outcome with this project, to leave a mark on this developing landscape intertwined with new ways and rich tradition and culture.

That's where we hit our first stumbling block: we realized that we really were not in touch with the issues regional women faced; we really didn't understand what our clients - GCC women- would value and appreciate from such a project.

Three years on - we have conducted dozens of qualitative interviews with regional women, met with countless agencies and corporations in order to customize a platform which can make a difference. We have presented our ideas to hundreds of people and spent endless inspired brainstorming sessions creating a program that will make a difference.

We feel privileged to be working with well known presenters Tim Sebastian, formerly of BBC and the Doha Debates and an outspoken media force in the region, and Shahnaz Pakravan, who’s world renown in both British and Middle Eastern media through her work with BBC, ITN and Al-Jazeera International.

It has been a rewarding, pioneering journey, with so many people to thank for their candid feedback, guidance and advice resulting in what promises to be a dynamic and meaningful event which will celebrate the achievement of women and take a look at the issues and challenges of the day, ultimately aiming to discuss solutions for some of those which lie ahead.

Our inspiration has come from the stories of women around the region who have stepped up and led the way, some quietly others publicly. Many of these women will join us on May 22nd in Doha, Qatar.

Looking forward to seeing you and hearing your story at Spirit of Empowerment.