In its eighth consecutive year, the Global Businesswomen and Leaders Forum earned a reputation for pioneering the advancement of women in business and technology, seeking to provide experienced women business leaders and emerging women entrepreneurs with valuable business advice.

The event was one of many held in 14 countries around the world on International Women's Day which marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women.

Gay Gaddis addressed several hundred Middle Eastern professionals in her keynote session, "How should today's businesswomen integrate themselves in the new global economy?"