Netcore’s MGS (formerly called Hashout) is a relationship building event that combines three good things together – conference, destination, and networking. We take a mix of customers and prospects (about 30-40) for 3 days of learning, local sightseeing, and connecting. We have been doing these events for the past 10 years. They started with Indian customers and have now been replicated by different regions globally (SE Asia, Middle-East and Africa, and Latin America). The 23rd edition took place in Baku (Azerbaijan) in late July. I have attended about 10 of these events through the years.
The format of MGS is truly innovative in the world of B2B events. It requires a delicate balance to pull off a good event with the right mix of content and experience, and I’m consistently impressed by how well the Netcore team manages this. What I appreciate most is the ability to connect with people in a way that’s simply not possible over a formal business meeting. Whether it’s during a thought-provoking session, while exploring a new city, or over a shared meal, the conversations at MGS have a depth and authenticity that I rarely find elsewhere.
Here is what I had written about the Vietnam event in 2022: “We landed on a Wednesday morning, with colleagues joining in from other Indian cities also. We stayed at Hotel Grand Saigon, right in the middle of the city. The bus ride from the airport took about half an hour amidst peak hour traffic. What strikes you first is the number of bikes. The first impressions were that of orderly traffic movement in a clean city. We had a mini-conference in the later afternoon on the first day, followed by a couple hours of a city tour and dinner. The second day was a full-day conference. We then went on a cruise in the Saigon river for dinner. The next two days were free format. Some chose to visit Mekong, others picked places to see in HCM. Since Netcore has many customers in Vietnam, I chose to meet some of them. I also saw the “Water Puppet Show”, which reminded me of a puppet show I had seen in Bangkok many years ago. The HCM innovation was the use of water. Saturday (Day 4) afternoon was time for the return journey. By now, everyone knew each other well.”
If I am attending, then I begin with the conference with a keynote address. The Maya story was a presentation I had done at our Yas Island event in January 2024. I did a variation of it in Baku, along with a short session on entrepreneurship with themes discussed in my book.
As I reflect on the numerous MGS events I’ve attended over the years, from Bangkok in 2013 to Baku in 2024, I’m struck by the lasting impact these gatherings have had. They’ve not only broadened my professional horizons but have also enriched my personal experiences in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The MGS format has proven to be a powerful catalyst for building genuine relationships in our increasingly digital world. An attendee’s words in Baku – “We came as strangers and are leaving as friends” – encapsulate the true essence of what makes MGS special. What we all take away and remember are the stories which become our memories.
As Netcore continues to innovate and expand this unique concept globally, I look forward to many more MGS events, each promising new friendships, fresh insights, and unforgettable experiences. In the end, it’s these human connections, alloyed in diverse locations around the world, that make our professional lives truly meaningful and rewarding.
