The World Economic Forum, based in Geneva, Switzerland, was founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab. Its members represent more than 1,000 multinationals. As a non-governmental organization, the forum holds an annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The meeting has become the most important unofficial venue where leaders from various sectors the world over discuss sensitive global issues.

The World Economic Forum established an office in Beijing on June 13, 2006, when it also announced that it would launch a "Summer Davos" in China. Dalian was later chosen to be the host city.

According to the World Economic Forum, the "Winter Davos" in Davos is meant to be a dialogue between the world's top 500 companies and  national and regional political leaders, whereas the "Summer Davos" in Dalian serves as a dialogue meeting for the world's top 500 companies, its most promising growth companies and national and regional political leaders.

This year's "Summer Davos" was officially named "From Davos to Dalian — Inaugural Annual Meeting of New Champions," with the theme of "Shifting Power Equation." The main topics discussed included the shifting global business environment, new competitive tools and models, the DNA of  new champion CEOs, and going global — making it happen. The conference was hosted by Dalian and sponsored by China's National Development and Reform Commission.