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January 28, 2009
Posted: 2244 GMT
DAVOS, Switzerland - I often ask myself why do I bother to come here? Then I remember, I am here as a journalist covering what the leaders say and do. But why do so many delegates, who have a choice, come here? Surely they would be better off tending to their business back home? 
Ordinary delegates say they want to hear what world leaders say about crisis.
 This morning I got the official schedule. Some of the sessions are extremely timely and relevant. The "Brainstorm - What happened to the Global Economy?" panel promises to be good. But other sessions, like "What is Good Design?" or "Political Art: What Now?" while interesting in an esoteric way, are hardly vital at this time of crisis. In the registration hall I asked "ordinary" delegates why they came. Not the high and mighty - just mid-level executives and officials who make up the bulk of Davos. Some said they wanted to hear world leaders and decision makers talk about the best way out of the financial mess (after all Vladmir Putin, Angela Merkel, Gordon Brown Wen Jiabao are all scheduled to speak). Others come to continue their dialogue with clients and suppliers and discuss what they need to do next. Representatives from NGOs and aid groups like UNICEF attend, to make sure their causes are not forgotten in this moment of crisis. One lucky businessman is here to talk to investors in medical research - yes, there are still some people with money to invest. Lots of delegates have been coming to Davos for many years - this event is part of their calendar. Just as you don't stop going to visit relatives at Christmas, so you still come to Davos in a crisis; even more so, they would say. Perhaps the real reason to be here is summed up by the delegate from Asia who said "opportunity is the opposite of crisis." Quite! Tune in to CNN International each evening at 1900 GMT to catch ‘Quest Means Business.’ For more coverage of this year’s World Economic Forum, go to our special Davos page. Posted by: CNN Anchor and Correspondent, Richard Quest
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About this blog
Quest Means Business is the definitive word on how we earn and spend our money. Monday to Friday, 1900 London, 2000 CET, 0300 HK, host Richard Quest presides over a cast of experts and correspondents to deliver unrivaled facts, figures and analysis from the business world. JobQuest introduces you to real people looking for jobs. Follow their progress on the road to recovery every Tuesday on Quest Means Business. Jargon buster gives clear and concise definititions of baffling terms often used in business. Contact us
 @richardquest: @RickSanchezCNN more than a thousand bankers in London earn more than a million pounds a year ($1.6m per year) Are you one of them ??
Updated: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:06:49 +0000 @richardquest: http://twitpic.com/t12lr - Foggy Morning in London
Updated: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:44:03 +0000 @richardquest: filming today in the House of Lords..standing outside looking at Big Ben..its 0719 in London
Updated: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:18:31 +0000 @richardquest: what IS she doing ? oh dear. where is HR when you need 'em.....
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:15:47 +0000 @richardquest: twitaxmas party...at the staff party. some people will regret tomorrow
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:14:07 +0000  Recent Posts
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