Canon reimagines annual partner conference as ‘ONE Club’, fosters strategic dialogues and collaborative initiatives empowering partners and driving growth across Middle East and Turkey; company honours outstanding partners through Our Purpose Awards, highlights their significant contributions to regional mutual growth and success
Canon Middle East and Turkey (CMET) has transformed its annual partner conference into a strategic collaboration platform, marking a fundamental evolution in partner engagement as the company transitions from a successful post-pandemic stabilisation phase into an era of accelerated innovation and growth. ONE Club is a strategic, high-level platform of Canon that provides a valuable opportunity for deeper engagement, and open communication with its partners. This reimagining of the conference format signals the conclusion of phase 1 of CMET’s mid-term strategy and the launch of phase 2, which is focused on shaping future market opportunities through enhanced collaboration. The inaugural gathering under this new format, branded as ‘ONE Club’ was recently held in El Gouna, Egypt.
The exclusive event served as a platform for strategic dialogue and co-creation of future growth opportunities, reflecting CMET’s vision for deeper partner engagement. This dynamic approach positions CMET for anticipated 9% growth across consumer and business segments in 2025, supported by the projected growth rate of 1.9% for the Middle East and 4% for Turkey for the coming year.
Venkatasubramanian Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Turkey, says, “The success of One Club 2024 reflects our renewed approach to market engagement and partner collaboration. This carefully curated gathering provided a platform for strategic discussions, enabling us to co-create a more dynamic and collaborative future. The insights shared at the conference are crucial for sustaining our growth momentum in an increasingly competitive market.”
Strategic Pillars Driving Future Growth
The conference focused on four foundational pillars driving CMET’s future direction under phase 2. The ‘Customer of Tomorrow’ embraces the ‘New World and New Customer’ and builds on past successes to foster confidence and continued innovation; the ‘Employee of Tomorrow’ seeks to develop skills and capabilities through learning and development for a future-ready workforce; the ‘Partner of Tomorrow’ enhances regional and country-specific partnerships to boost partner capabilities. Finally, the ‘Mindset of Tomorrow’ nurtures the ‘Our Purpose’ mindset, prioritising internal growth and cascading partner success.
During his keynote, Hariharan underscored the importance of investing in people and customers, aligning with Canon’s kyosei philosophy. This commitment is exemplified through impactful initiatives like the ‘Women Who Empower’ programme, which supports women in the imaging and print industries through mentorship and networking, and the ‘Canon Young People Programme’, which empowers youth to address sustainability challenges through creative thinking.
High-level Dialogues & Strategic Collaborations
The exclusive conference, attended by approximately 35 selected partners alongside CMET’s senior leadership team, was designed to foster executive-level dialogue on strategic priorities. Key discussions revolved around accelerating digital transformation, enhancing customer-centric solutions, promoting sustainable business practices, and strengthening partner ecosystems. “As we navigate the evolving business landscape, our focus on collaborative growth and innovation remains unwavering,” adds Hariharan. “The insights and strategies discussed during One Club 2024 have positioned us for continued success as we move into the next year.”
Our Purpose Awards: Recognising Partner Excellence
The event’s major highlight was the Our Purpose Awards, which honoured 11 outstanding partners for their significant achievements across five key categories. In the Corporate Values category, the awardees were Keyston Distribution, Redington Gulf FZE (KSA), Al-Bahar & Partners, and Naser Mohamed Al-Sayer Communications. For Brand Excellence, Khoory Electronics Co. and Al Jazeera Machinery were recognised. The Customer Excellence category saw Al Armali & Abul Burghul International Photographic Co. and Al-Bahar & Partners being honoured. Index Grup and Al-Bahar & Partners were celebrated for People Development. Keyston Distribution bagged the award for Overall Achievement. These awards underscore Canon’s appreciation for its partners’ dedication, recognising their pivotal role in driving shared success throughout the region.
Looking ahead, the transformation of Canon’s partner engagement approach through ONE Club sets a new standard for collaborative innovation in the imaging industry. As CMET advances into its next growth phase, this enhanced partnership platform will be pivotal in driving market leadership and meeting evolving customer needs across the region.
