Together We Lead: Connect, Evolve, Expand

A Three‑Region Leadership Journey in Hong Kong

If you were anywhere near Hong Kong’s harborfront at the end of January 2026, you might have felt it—the unmistakable buzz of energy that happens only when entrepreneurial leaders gather with purpose.

From January 30 to February 1, Presidents and Presidents‑Elect from North Asia, Japan, and APAC converged in one of the world’s most dynamic cities for the unified 2026 Presidents’ Meeting. And this year, everything—from the agenda to the conversations in the hallways—was shaped by a theme that couldn’t have been more timely:

Together We Lead: Connect, Evolve, Expand.

This wasn’t just a tagline on a screen. It became the way the entire meeting unfolded.

Where “Connect” Came Alive

From the moment leaders arrived, connections sparked effortlessly.

Three regions—each with their own culture, rhythm, and leadership style—found themselves in the same rooms, sharing stories, challenges, and breakthroughs. The unified sessions created opportunities that rarely happen in smaller settings: Presidents trading ideas across borders, Presidents‑Elect comparing notes on their transition plans, Chapter Managers discovering common ground despite vastly different market realities.

And then came the Wing Chun morning experience.

At sunrise, beneath the soft Hong Kong winter light, a Wing Chun master—descended from the same lineage as Bruce Lee’s own teacher—guided participants through the foundational movements of the iconic martial art. It wasn’t just exercise. It was a shared cultural moment that broke the ice, built camaraderie, and reminded everyone that leadership begins with grounding, awareness, and balance.

Evolving as Leaders, Together

If the opening day was about building connection, the learning sessions that followed were about evolution.

Across three days, leaders dove deep into stage‑based Chapter Health Breakouts, role‑specific training, and intentional conversations about transition planning. These weren’t sit‑and‑listen sessions—they were active, reflective, and experiential. Many Presidents‑Elect left Hong Kong with something priceless: clear, complete transition plans and renewed confidence in their vision for the year ahead.

And then there was Paul Chu, EO Hong Kong member and guest speaker, whose entrepreneurial journey captivated the room. His story—raw, honest, and deeply human—hit home for many. He spoke about the highs and lows of building something meaningful, the emotional weight leaders carry, and the mindset shifts required not only to grow a business, but to grow oneself.

You could feel the room shift. This was evolution in action.

Expanding Our Collective Impact

Leadership doesn’t expand in isolation. It expands through community, recognition, and celebration—and this meeting offered all three.

A highlight for many was the awards segment, honouring chapters and individuals who raised the bar this year:

Growth Awards

• EO Shenzhen

• EO Adelaide

• EO Hokkaido

• EO Tokyo Central

• EO Tokyo East

30th Anniversary Milestones

A heartfelt congratulations to:

EO Philippines, EO Singapore, EO Perth, EO Sydney, EO Thailand, EO Hong Kong, and EO Tokyo Central—each marking three decades of entrepreneurial leadership and community impact.

Leadership Impact Award

Recognizing leaders who truly moved the needle:

• James Murray (APAC)

• Figo Yu (North Asia)

• Yasushi Fujita (Japan)

Chapter Staff of the Year

Celebrating the backbone of chapter excellence:

• Ang Lan Sin (APAC)

• Amy Siu (North Asia)

• Yuko Kajiya (Japan)

And because EO never forgets to add a little fun to the mix, the evening wrapped up with a Qatar Airways raffle draw—complete with a model aircraft, a Samsonite suitcase, an Economy Class ticket, and one very lucky winner walking away with Business Class.

Talk about expanding possibilities.

Moments That Made Hong Kong Unforgettable

Of course, not everything happened inside meeting rooms.

Regional dinners across Hong Kong—North Asia at Maison ES, Japan at Yung Kee, and APAC at Luk Kwok—gave leaders the chance to dive into the city’s flavours and atmosphere.

The Joint Dinner brought everyone back together in celebration, laughter, and shared purpose.

These moments—the clinking of glasses, the unexpected conversations, the new friendships—were where the theme’s final pillar, Expand, quietly took root.

Because when leaders connect deeply and evolve together, expansion becomes inevitable.

Leaving Hong Kong Unified and Future‑Ready

As the meeting drew to a close, something had shifted.

Leaders walked away not only with strategies and transition plans but with a renewed sense of belonging—to their chapters, their regions, and to a shared mission larger than any one leader alone.

“Together We Lead: Connect, Evolve, Expand” wasn’t just the theme of the meeting. It became a lived experience—one that will carry through every chapter, conversation, and leadership decision in the year ahead.

And that’s the real power of bringing three regions together in one place:

when we lead together, we grow together.