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(SINGAPORE) When they last gathered in Peru nine months ago, the world was still trying to come to grips with the scale of an economic crisis that had crippled financial markets and toppled companies.
Come this November, they will meet again under one roof - the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping, with more than 800 of the most prominent people in global business and academia.
Their aim at the annual Apec CEO Summit - in Singapore on Nov 12-14 - will be to 'take stock and reflect' on what has happened since the crisis broke and come up with ways to rebuild the global economy, said the event's organising committee chairman Chong Siak Ching.
'In Peru, where the last CEO summit was held, we were in the midst of the crisis,' Ms Chong, who is also president and chief executive of Ascendas, told BT.
'It had just broken and everyone was scrambling to respond and react. Now, businesses have experienced it and navigated their way through it, knowing the signs of an upturn are coming.
'It's time to look beyond the crisis and find out what's next. The crisis has changed the global business landscape and many things have to be re-visited.'
If ever there was a draw at the annual by-invitation-only event - coming on the 20th anniversary of Apec - it is confirmation that US President Barack Obama will attend.
His inaugural visit to Singapore is in conjunction with his participation in the Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting that same weekend, Nov 14-15.
According to Ms Chong, Mr Obama is expected to deliver a keynote address and take questions from delegates.
Opening the two-day summit at Suntec Convention Centre with the theme of 'Rebuilding the Global Economy: Crisis and Opportunity' will be Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He is likely to 'do a stock-take and give his views on whether new models of growth are necessary for the global economy', Ms Chong said.
'Many business assumptions have to be re-visited. It may even mean that certain business models have to change, given we are operating in a very different world.
'Liquidity is a thing of the past and some Apec economies have had to restructure their internal finances.'
Other members of the Singapore Cabinet attending the summit are Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang and Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
Those from the business fraternity include Exxon Mobil chief Rex Tillerson, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China chairman Jiang Jianqing and PricewaterhouseCoopers global chairman Dennis Nally.
Besides the economy, various other topics are also on the agenda, including how to strengthen corporate governance, how to handle climate change and redefining the roles of the US and China in the new global economic landscape.
Ms Chong said Singapore is an ideal host because it personifies the values Apec espouses - free and open trade.
'Businesses coming here can see for themselves how, with our very open economy, Singapore has been able to attract the best companies to set up here and build a thriving regional hub.
'It will also drive home the point that with open borders there are also risks. because when the external economy tumbles, you will be affected. But when it recovers, Singapore will also be one of the first to bounce back, thanks to our open borders.'
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