Cedar Routes
An Aviation Industry Group Launches for Lebanon

Read the full article here: CEDAR WINGS MAGAZINE

On Wednesday, October 25, Cedar Routes (CR) held its inaugural meeting at Middle East Airlines Headquarters, Beirut - Lebanon

To know more about Cedar Routes, an interview was held with one of its founders, Mr. Michael Bell (Senior Client Partner & Leader, Civil Aviation Practice in Korn Ferry International).
Q: What is Cedar Routes?
A: Cedar Routes is an infinity group that brings together people who work in the aviation industry, those who are well connected in lebanon, whether raised here or have heritage through family or even connections through spouse, company or business, but most importantly, they all have interest in Lebanon.

Q: What are the objectives of Cedar Routes?
A: The purpose is to bring the group together to really advance the interest of Lebanese Aviation inside and outside Lebanon. There are several areas of activities of the group: mentorship, networking, development of the industry, and the group can even help to attract investments to Lebanon through their connections.

Q: Can you tell us about the inaugural meeting?
A: We held the meeting to bring this group together and to create Cedar Routes. During the meeting we discussed the mission, membership, and activities that we want to undertake. The attendees (and those who couldn't come to Lebanon but are online with us) are serving as the founders and the first Board of Directors of Cedar Routes.

It is not intended to be exclusive to this group.
We have a large list of people that we like to attract, people who have connections to Lebanon.

Q: How was the idea formed?
A: I had this idea for many years. Being the executive recruiter in the aviation business, my job is to meet people, and some of them were from Lebanese origin. I kept a list of them, and I thought it is a good idea to get these people together through a group to allow them to network with each other. I brought the idea to Mr. Mohamad El-Hout MEA Chairman - Director General, who welcomed it and encouraged to proceed with it by organizing it and to identify the group by 10 to 15 persons who could be the founders. We approached these people, and they all agreed to come to Lebanon. What is common about the group is their high interest and commitment to the organization.
Mr. Bell noted that the first Cedar Routes conference will be held in September 2018, hoping to attract more people to the group by that time.

After the meeting the group toured MEA Training and Conferences Center.
The members of CR gave their impression of the Center and commented on the 20th anniversary of Mr. El-Hout as MEA Chairman - Director General.