A fireside chat, titled ‘Mangaluru the Landing Station in the GCC Orbit: Ready?’, explored how the coastal city could strengthen its position as a technology and business destination. The session was part of the sixth edition of Mangaluru Technovanza at the Dr TMA Pai International Convention Centre. Ajay Vij, senior country managing director, Accenture India, and Richard Lobo, chief people officer, Tech Mahindra, said Mangaluru had advantages including its location, connectivity, educational institutions and growing technology ecosystem. Vij said businesses worldwide were rethinking organisational structures, making talent availability and location increasingly important. Mangaluru needed a long-term strategy and should identify sectors where it could build a lasting advantage, he said.