CREST 2024: Redefining Leadership, Inspiring Innovation

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, hosted its flagship management festival, CREST 2024, on December 4th and 5th. This year’s theme, “Kalpavriksha: Fulfilling Aspirations, Shaping Success,” symbolized the boundless opportunities for innovation and growth that management education aims to nurture. The event provided a platform for some of the brightest minds from India’s top business schools to compete, collaborate, and conquer. CREST 2024 was a transformative hub for leadership, innovation, and learning, driven by global insights like the SDGs offering students to learn the following:

• Effective Networking: Connect with industry leaders, CXOs, and global mentors.
• Showcase Your Skills: Solve real-world challenges to demonstrate strategic thinking and innovation.
• Celebrate and Compete: Enjoy a festive atmosphere while learning and competing.

Colleges & Universities Participated

A Platform for Strategic Brilliance

CREST 2024 featured an impressive array of domain-specific competitions that tested participants on their ability to think critically, act decisively, and innovate boldly. The contests spanned all key management domains, including:

These competitions didn’t just challenge participants—they were designed to reflect real-world business problems, encouraging participants to adopt frameworks that avoided unintended consequences, such as the perverse incentive scheme.

Knowledge Meets Vision

A highlight of CREST 2024 was the keynote address by Mr. Nikhil Singhal - Managing Director & National Manager- Global Private Banking, HSBC India, whose insights on emerging business trends set a visionary tone for the event. The much-anticipated masterclass by Prof. Bappaditya Mukhopadhyay delved into critical global concepts, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the nuances of unintended consequences in decision-making.

• The session unpacked case studies like the Cobra Effect, offering lessons on how misaligned incentives can derail policy goals.
• It further reinforced the relevance of SDGs as a blueprint for achieving balanced, sustainable progress in a rapidly evolving global economy.

A Celebration of Talent and Culture

CREST was more than just competition. The cultural events brought a festive energy, with vibrant performances lighting up the evenings at the football field. This blend of intellect and celebration created an environment where collaboration thrived, and memories were forged. The highlight of CREST 13 was a spectacular show by DJ Olly Esse, who has shared stages with top DJs like Martin Garrix and Alan Walker.

Crowning the Leaders of Tomorrow

The grand finale recognized and celebrated the outstanding efforts of participants whose innovative solutions stood out. These achievements reaffirmed the spirit of CREST 2024 as a platform where tomorrow’s leaders shine.

As the curtains closed, one message was clear — CREST continues to inspire, challenge, and transform.