ATLANTA, Georgia, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

On the 24^th to the 26^th of July, North America's leading executives will convene at the Evergreen Marriot Resort in Atlanta, Georgia, to attend GDS International's second Chief Financial Officer (CFO US2) summit. A hugely successful event, CFO US2 promises to continue its trend of attracting the nation's most well respected delegates and tackling the most fundamental business challenges present in the industry today.

GDS International's unique format incorporates a variety of networking opportunities to ensure attendees achieve the most from the two day event. The program has been specifically structured to cover contemporary, region-specific issues that are presented through a series of interactive workshops, roundtable discussions and moderated, peer-led panel discussions that give delegates the opportunity to meet with business analysts and solution providers to determine strategies and solutions for the year ahead and beyond.

In addition to roundtable discussions and workshops, the CFO US2 summit will feature a keynote speech from Krish Venkataraman, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Global Information Technology for NYSE Euronext. With approximately 8,000 listed issues from more than 55 countries, NYSE Euronext's equities markets - the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Euronext, NYSE MKT, NYSE Alternext and NYSE Arca - represent one-third of the world's equities trading.  Each day, the firm processes three billion transactions at nearly the speed of light, and Venkataraman is a recognized expert in how to gain more from technology while spending less.

He says: "In all types of businesses across the world, the CFO and CIO are often at odds because the CFO needs to keep costs down, while the CIO advocates for more investments in technology. But it doesn't have to be this way. With the right governance and cost management strategies, companies can turn this expense into a revenue-generating tool."

Included within the summit's senior executive delegation are: Krish Venkataraman, CFO and CAO of Global Information Technology for NYSE Euronext and the summit's keynote speaker; and Jeff Hall, EVP & CFO for Express Scripts. Hard Rock Café's CFO, Tom Gispanski, will also be in attendance along with Keith Mitchell, CFO for Dole Fresh Fruit Company; Gary Rahlfs, CFO PepsiCo Foods Canada; and the Chairman for the event, Tom Jones, Former CEO, Citigroup Global Investment Management, Distinguished Professor of Accounting, Pace University Lubin School of Business.

James Butler, CFO, Georgia for United Health Group, attending last year's CFO Summit at the Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, said: "The interaction with delegates was top notch; I couldn't believe the quality of my peer group." Conflating this, Randy Senn, CIO at SCANA Corporation, had this to say: "It was a great opportunity to get current information and industry opinions. A very good use of time indeed."

Peter Adkins, Director of the CFO Summit at GDS International - the global B2B events firm behind the CFO Summit - believes the high caliber of speakers and exceptional content, combined with excellent opportunities for networking, give the delegates and sponsors true value for money and a significant return on their investment.

"We've been hugely grateful for the expertise and input from all our session leaders in putting the program together - along with the brilliant guidance of our NG20 members who met earlier in the year to set the summit's laser-focused agenda. This year's CFO Summit will touch on all the major issues being felt by CFOs across the country. From restoring fiscal soundness and stability and the concerns of over-regulation, to healthcare reform including cost and deficit - via how CFOs drive innovation through the marriage of technology and finance - we'll also be taking a look at macro-economic perspectives and how it relates to investor confidence amid uncertainty."

"I would like to thank our entire delegation, sponsors, research partners and analyst partners for their continued support and ongoing commitment towards making this year's Summit a huge success."

For more information, please visit http://www.cfosummitus.com

About GDS International

GDS International is one of the most innovative events and media companies worldwide - and a globally renowned producer of business-to-business summits, conferences, online information and advisory group gatherings.

Founded in 1993, GDS International specialises in meeting the B2B marketing needs of our clients. Having a strong presence in mature industrial sectors but a finger on the pulse of emerging markets - as well as up-and-coming B2B business verticals - means we are perfectly placed to capitalise on the exciting developments brought about by the advent of a globalised economy. Our value proposition is simple: we deliver tangible business results from world-class events.

http://www.gdsinternational.com

Contact: Kimberley Hogarth
Kimberley.hogarth@gdsinternational.com
+44-1179-261-420

SOURCE GDS International