On August 4, 2026, the 20th Frost & Sullivan Global Growth, Innovation and Leadership Summit and the 5th New Investment Event ("2026 Frost & Sullivan GIL Summit") were officially opened at Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai.
On August 4, 2026, the 20th Frost & Sullivan Global Growth, Innovation and Leadership Summit and the 5th New Investment Event ("2026 Frost & Sullivan GIL Summit") were officially held at Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai.
Coinciding with the summit,Frost & Sullivan Globalcelebrated its 65th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the GIL Summit in China with a festive dinner.
In conjunction with the Summit, a celebratory banquet was held to mark the 65th anniversary of Frost & Sullivan Global and the 20th anniversary of the GIL Summit in China.
At the event, Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Frost & Sullivan, along with Dr. Neil Wang, Global Senior VP, Co-Chairman of Asia Pacific, and Chairman of China, presented the Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition to David Frigstad, Global Chairman and CEO of Frost & Sullivan.David Frigstad(David Frigstad) received the Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition for his outstanding contributions over four decades in shaping Frost & Sullivan and promoting transformative growth for global enterprises.
At the banquet, Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Frost & Sullivan, together with Dr. Neil Wang, Global Senior VP, Co-Chairman of Asia Pacific, and Chairman of China, presented the Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition to David Frigstad, Global Chairman and CEO of Frost & Sullivan, in recognition of his extraordinary vision and leadership over four decades in building Frost & Sullivan and driving transformational growth for enterprises worldwide.
Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Frost & SullivanAroop Zutshimentioned in his speech that David Frigstad demonstrated a deep understanding of global brand value since the company's inception. Through the "4G Strategy" — Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization, and GIL Summit — he redefined the value of industry research firms. He especially pointed out that David Frigstad recognized the potential of China earlier than most — the combination of technology, manufacturing excellence, skilled talent, and a strong ecosystem — which is a key reason why Frost & Sullivan has been deeply involved in China for 28 years and continues to lead the industry.
Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Frost & Sullivan, said in his remarks that David Frigstad showed a deep understanding of global brand value since the company was established. He redefined the value of industry research firms through the "4G Strategy" — Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization, and GIL Summit. He particularly noted that David Frigstad recognized the power of China earlier than most — the integration of technology, manufacturing excellence, employee skills, and a strong ecosystem — which is a key reason why Frost & Sullivan has been deeply engaged in China for 28 years and continues to lead the industry.
"He is my leader and my life mentor."
On stage,Dr. Neil Wangexpressed his deepest gratitude to the leader who shaped his entire career:
On stage, Dr. Neil Wang expressed his deepest gratitude to the leader who shaped his entire career:
"Mr. David Frigstad is a visionary leader, my spiritual mentor, and the key figure behind Frost & Sullivan. Nearly thirty years ago, he founded the GIL Summit. He transformed Frost & Sullivan from a single US office into a global company operating in nearly 50 countries over 65 years, covering all major capital and stock markets. He taught me a belief that shapes everything I do — growth is an eternal theme, applicable to everyone and every company. The GIL Summit is now held around the world, and today, we celebrate its 20th anniversary in China. Without Mr. David Frigstad's vision, none of this would have happened. Thank you, Dave."
"Mr. David Frigstad has been my visionary leader, my spiritual mentor, and the mastermind behind Frost & Sullivan. He founded the GIL Summit nearly thirty years ago. He built Frost & Sullivan from a single US office into a global firm spanning nearly 50 countries over 65 years, covering all major capital and stock markets. And he taught me the belief that shapes everything I do — that growth is the eternal theme, for every human being and every corporation. The GIL Summit is now celebrated across the world, and today, we witness its twentieth anniversary in China. None of this would have happened without David's vision. Thank you, Dave."
Forty years of vision — from a single office to a global network
Forty years ago, shortly after graduating from college, David Frigstad founded his own market research company. In 1993, with keen business insight, he acquired Frost & Sullivan and realized the immense value of a strong global brand. This inspired him to develop the "4G Strategy" — focusing on Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization
and, andGrowth, Innovation and Leadership Summit — redefining the value proposition of an industry research firm.
David Frigstad was the first to promote the transition of research services from individual reports to a subscription model, integrating real-time updates and direct analyst engagement into client deliverables. At the beginning of the internet era, he led the company's digital transformation, moving research, intelligence, and client interactions online. As clients sought opportunities outside their home markets, he promoted globalization by establishing global business systems, including CRM and ERP platforms, expanding Frost & Sullivan's international presence from one country to 38 countries and 45 offices worldwide.
He was the first to shift research services from individual reports to a subscription model, integrating real-time updates and direct analyst engagement into client delivery. At the dawn of the internet, he led the firm's digital transformation, moving research, intelligence, and client interactions online. As clients sought opportunities outside their home markets, he promoted globalization by implementing global business systems, including CRM and ERP platforms, expanding Frost & Sullivan's international presence from one country to 38 countries and 45 offices worldwide.
Today, Frost & Sullivan serves more than 16,000 clients, including corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, and R&D organizations. In China, where Frost & Sullivan has operated for 28 years, the firm has become a highly respected professional services provider, leading in industry advisory services for enterprise listing and financing.
Today, the company serves over 16,000 clients, including corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, and R&D organizations. In China, where Frost & Sullivan has been active for 28 years, the firm has become a respected professional services provider, holding a leading position in industry advisory services for enterprise listing and financing.
Seeing the future earlier than the times
David Frigstad always believed that promoting economic development required recognizing and celebrating business excellence. With this vision, he created the Best Practices Recognition Program, honoring organizations that excel in innovation, technological leadership, customer value, and geographic expansion. Now, this program is one of the most respected and widely recognized award programs in the industries Frost & Sullivan serves.
David Frigstad also believed that fostering economic development required recognizing and celebrating business excellence. With this vision, he established the Best Practices Recognition Program, recognizing organizations that demonstrate outstanding innovation, technological leadership, customer value, and geographic expansion. Over time, this program has become one of the most respected and widely recognized award programs in the industries Frost & Sullivan serves.
Long before artificial intelligence became a global priority, David Frigstad recognized its transformative potential and began to see AI as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Today, Frost & Sullivan is evolving into a transformational growth partner that is "AI-powered, human-enabled, and digitally delivered", helping organizations successfully navigate the intelligence revolution — enabling them to not only survive but also thrive.
Long before artificial intelligence became a global priority, David Frigstad recognized its transformative potential and started viewing AI as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Today, Frost & Sullivan is evolving into a transformational growth partner that is "AI-powered, human-enabled, and digitally delivered", helping organizations navigate the intelligence revolution successfully — enabling them to not only survive but also thrive.
Regarding the Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition
The Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition aims to honor exceptional leaders who, through extraordinary strategic foresight, sustained innovation, and outstanding leadership, have driven organizations toward long-term transformational growth and had a profound impact on industry development. David Frigstad's recognition is not only a tribute to his four-decade leadership career but also a reaffirmation of Frost & Sullivan's core belief: that growth is the eternal theme.
The Visionary Leadership Best Practices Recognition honors exceptional leaders who, through extraordinary strategic foresight, sustained innovation, and outstanding leadership, have driven organizations toward long-term transformational growth and left a profound impact on industry development. David Frigstad's recognition is not only a tribute to his four-decade leadership journey but also a reaffirmation of Frost & Sullivan's core belief: that growth is the eternal theme.
