On August 4, 2026, the 2026 Frost & Sullivan Summit was grandly opened at Jing An Shangri-La Hotel in 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 event,Frost & Sullivan Globalcelebrated its 65th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the GIL Summit in China with a celebratory banquet.
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 banquet, 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, Frost & Sullivan, 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, recognizing his outstanding vision and leadership over four decades in building Frost & Sullivan and driving transformative growth for enterprises worldwide.
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, Frost & Sullivan, 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 continuously driving transformational growth for enterprises worldwide.
Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Partner and Executive Board Member of Frost & SullivanZutshiremarked in his speech that David Frigstad demonstrated a deep understanding of global brand value since the company's inception, redefining the value of industry research firms through the "4G Strategy" — Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization, and GIL Summit. He specifically pointed out that David Frigstad recognized the power of China — the combination of technology, manufacturing excellence, skilled talent, and a strong ecosystem — earlier than most, which was a key reason for Frost & Sullivan's 28-year deep involvement and continuous leadership in China.
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, redefining the value of industry research firms through the "4G Strategy" — Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization
"He is my leader, and also my life mentor."
On the 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 twentieth 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 one belief that has shaped 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 recognized the immense value of a strong global brand. This led him to develop the "4G Strategy" — focusing on Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization
Forty years ago, soon after graduating from college, David Frigstad established his own market intelligence and research company. In 1993, with sharp business insight, he acquired Frost & Sullivan and realized the tremendous power of a strong global brand. This inspired him to create the "4G Strategy" — centered on Growth Consulting, Growth Partnership Services, Globalization, 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 start of the internet era, he led the company's digital transformation, moving research, intelligence, and client interactions online. As clients looked for 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, it has become a respected professional services provider, leading in industry advisory services for enterprise listing and financing.
Seeing the future earlier than the times
David Frigstad always believed that promoting economic development requires recognizing 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 positioning 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 not just to survive, but to thrive.
Long before artificial intelligence became a global priority, David Frigstad saw its transformative potential and started viewing AI as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Today, Frost & Sullivan is transforming into a transformational growth partner that is "AI-powered, human-enabled, and digitally delivered", helping organizations navigate the intelligence revolution — enabling them to not only survive, but to thrive.
About 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 had 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.
