CIOmove 2024 will bring us to Africa. Join us on our trip to “Technopolis” in Morocco. Travel the country at a speed of 300 km/h. Follow the invitation of Morocco’s network of CIOs. Get to know our hosts Nadia Tazi from Renault, Michele Rochefort from AXA and Nour-dine Hajjami from Bank Al-Maghrib.
Here’s the agenda at a glance:
Wednesday, May 8 – Arrival Day (if possible)
We meet at “Rick’s Café” in Casablanca before CIOmove officially starts.
It is not mandatory to visit the most famous bar in film history – but it is fun! And flying via Casablanca can be cheaper and more convenient. So if possible: Arrive at Rick’s. The bar opens at 8 pm and stays open all night. We have listed convenient connections to Morocco for you here: Best Ways to get to Morocco.
(Picture: Werner100359/CC4.0)
Thursday, May 9 – Peers Day
On the first official day of CIOmove 2024, you can decide which industry interests you the most. There are three options to choose from. We will shuttle you either to:
- AXA (In Technopolis, Close to Rabat)
- Bank Al-Maghrib (Downtown Rabat)
- Renault (Close to Tanger)
Our “industry sessions” start at 2 pm. So you can still make it in time if you fly directly to Rabat or Tanger. At 7 pm we will gather all CIOmovers in Rabat.
(Picture: Pline/GNU)
From May 9 to 11, we will be staying at the Fairmont La Marina – Rabat-Salé hotel, which is located right in the middle between Rabat and Salé offering a wonderful view of the North Atlantic Ocean. Further information can be found on the hotel’s homepage.
(Picture: Fairmont La Marina – Rabat-Salé)
Friday, May 10 – Academic Day
On the second day, visit the Ai Dome at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic in Rabat. Prof. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni and her doctoral students will show us scenarios where artificial intelligence has the greatest impact.
Find out more about the Ai Dome and the work of Prof. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni in this article.
(Picture: University Mohammed VI Polytechnic)
The companions of the CIOmovers will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive tour of Rabat on Friday. The tour starts at 10 am at the Fairmont Hotel. On our excursion, we will explore the Medina of Salé, the oldest walled part of the city of Salé in Morocco. It has been classified as a national heritage site since October 1914. The next stops await us at 11.30 am: A visit to the Kasbah Oudaya, built in the 12th century, with its palace and an Andalusian garden. We will visit the museum of Moroccan jewellery, the Café Maure and enjoy a beautiful view of the Bou-Regreg River, the Grand Theatre and the Mohammed VI Tower from the terrace of the Oudaya.
After our lunch, we will continue with the tour and visit the Mohammed VI Mosque, the Hassan Tower and enjoy the magnificent view of the Mohammed VI Tower and the Grand Theatre. We will drive along the main avenue of Rabat and then stop at the Royal Palace to attend a special ceremony that takes place every Friday afternoon. We will return to the Fairmont Hotel at 4.30 pm.
(Picture: Hassan Tower – Rabat, Morocco)
We will end the day with a collective dinner in the Ziryab restaurant, which is located in the heart of Rabat. We look forward to reviewing the experiences of the day, exploring the regional cuisine and enjoying the unique ambience.
(Picture: Restaurant Ziryab – Rabat)
Saturday, May 11 – CIO Sessions Day
Get a better idea of Morocco by taking the train to Marrakech. During the 4-hour trip, group sessions will be held on the pre-selected topics. We are already looking forward to the lively exchange and the exciting insights of the CIOs!
(Back to the roots: In Morocco we will have group discussions on the
train again – like at the first CIOmove in 2014)
In Marrakech, we are staying at the Barcelo Palmeraie Hotel, which is a quarter of an hour’s drive from the centre, in the palm grove of Marrakech.
(Picture: Barceló Palmeraie)
Sunday, May 12 – Leisure Day
We start the last day of CIOmove 2024 by watching the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains in a hot air balloon. A once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed! You can find more information about our hot air balloon ride in this article.
Alternatively (or additionally), you can explore the colorful and lively markets of Marrakech.
Our Scientific Supporter Barbara and Walter Brenner from the University of St. Gallen will stay longer in Marrakech. Let us know if you want to do the same. We might find a pleasant place for you to stay.
(Picture: Anne Kruschewski)