In 2020, our digital-only Summit connects top North American companies investing in Central Eastern Europe (CEE) with top CEE companies, cities, countries, and associations. And globally-ambitious CEE companies expanding into the United States and Canada.
What past attendees said:
"It was a great event and I found it very interesting to hear about others' experiences in CEE." - Global Director of midwest manufacturing firm with location in Hungary.
"There were many seasoned veterans highlighting their lessons learned. In thinking about our own client base, we know there are folks who are only beginning this journey and this type of event could be quite valuable for them."- Global Head of East Coast banking firm with location in Poland.
"We discussed how beneficial this would have been to us in the early days of our establishment of our Krakow office and believe others would feel the same." - Global Process Owner from blue-chip Financial Services firm with location in Poland.
What past attendees said:
"It was a great event and I found it very interesting to hear about others' experiences in CEE." - Global Director of midwest manufacturing firm with location in Hungary.
"There were many seasoned veterans highlighting their lessons learned. In thinking about our own client base, we know there are folks who are only beginning this journey and this type of event could be quite valuable for them."- Global Head of East Coast banking firm with location in Poland.
"We discussed how beneficial this would have been to us in the early days of our establishment of our Krakow office and believe others would feel the same." - Global Process Owner from blue-chip Financial Services firm with location in Poland.
Agenda 2020:
(All times are Central European Time.)
(All times are Central European Time.)
11:30 - 12:30 pre-opening Networking sessions and 1-on-1 video meetings.
12:30 - 12:40 Plenary Opening Session: Welcoming Comments and Introduction: Thom Barnhardt, CEE Business Media, organizer
12:45 -13:00 Select USA. Neil Pickett, US Department of Commerce. SelectUSA works closely with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service to promote business investment in the U.S. with in-market services and on-the-ground expertise in more than 100 locations throughout the United States.
13:05 - 13:25 Opening Keynote Speaker: "War Stories and Lessons Learned from building an empire in CEE" (speaker tba)
13:30 - 13:55 Political Briefing of the CEE region: Marek Matraszek, Founder, CEC Government Relations
12:30 - 12:40 Plenary Opening Session: Welcoming Comments and Introduction: Thom Barnhardt, CEE Business Media, organizer
12:45 -13:00 Select USA. Neil Pickett, US Department of Commerce. SelectUSA works closely with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service to promote business investment in the U.S. with in-market services and on-the-ground expertise in more than 100 locations throughout the United States.
13:05 - 13:25 Opening Keynote Speaker: "War Stories and Lessons Learned from building an empire in CEE" (speaker tba)
13:30 - 13:55 Political Briefing of the CEE region: Marek Matraszek, Founder, CEC Government Relations
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14:00 - 14:25 Economic Briefing of the CEE region: Marcin Tomaszewski, Principal Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
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14:00 - 14:25 Country-specific Summit Session - Georgia (with support of AmCham Georgia)
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Stage I:
Three Seas Initiative: |
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14:30 - 14:55
Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund: The Three Seas Fund's objective is to invest in transport (road, rail, ports, airports), energy and digital infrastructure on the north-south axis in the Three Seas countries, and drive additional private capital to the region. Opportunities across the region for N. American companies. 
15: 05 - 15:55
Energy: Trends and Opportunities in Renewables, LNG, Hydrogen, Nuclear. How cross-border Inter-connectivity drives further investment and efficiencies. Overview: Michael Kirst, Managing Director EuroAtlantic Partners (focused on transatlantic cooperative energy ventures) and ex-Westinghouse Electric. Panelists:
16:00 - 16:25
Digital Infrastructure: How Microsoft and Google's mega-investments are driving further digitalization in Poland and CEE:
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14:30 - 15:25
eMobility: How revolutionary changes in human mobility and product transportation are creating rich opportunities in CEE. Presentation: CEE eMobility: new brands, products and education around e-mobility; power banks (and v-power banks), charging stations configured with energy management systems & hydrogen cars. Aleksander Rzepecki, Electric Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Cluster Central Europe; VP of E-Mobility Committee in National Chamber of Commerce (KIG) Topics:
15:30 - 16:25:
Defense: Opportunities for N. American companies as Poland strengthens its military.
Presenter/Moderator: Marek Matraszek, CEC Government Relations. Panelists:
16:30 - 17:25:
Business Services: American investors represent 50% of the BSC sector in CEE, and are voracious consumers of tech/digital solutions from CEE. Where are the next opportunities in the coming 2-3 years?
Moderator: Greg Lipper, Lipper Solutions. Greg held roles at NASDAQ (SVP & Operations COO, Corporate Services) and and Staples (Head of Global Business Services). Boston-based Lipper Solutions advises corporates on digital transformation. Panelists:
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14:30 - 14:55
Defense: Opportunities in Defense Procurement in CEE: How CEE companies can tap into upcoming, big-budget projects of NATO, EU, and US Dep't of Defense. Presentation:
15:00 - 15:25:
Expansion to U.S.: Opportunities in select sectors. How CEE-based companies can expand successfully in N. America.
Case Study:
15:30 - 15:55:
Top locations for expansion into US - and Case Study: Location Spotlight.
16:00 - 16:25:
M&A as Entry Strategy: How CEE-based companies can expand successfully in the US.
Case Studies (2):
16:30 - 16:45:
Top locations for expansion into US: Washington State and the City of Seattle: (home to titans such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks)
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17:45 to 18:30 Anchor Keynote Panel: The Home-Run Entrepreneurs.
"War Stories and Lessons Learned from building empires in CEE"
"War Stories and Lessons Learned from building empires in CEE"
15:00 - 17:00 Country-specific Summit Sessions (2 hours per Country/City) (Stages 4 and 5)
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Poland is CEE's economic powerhouse. Opportunities in key sectors in the next 5-7 years.
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The newest member of the EU, Croatia is a strategic player driving the Three Seas Initiative.
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Romania and Ukraine are complex yet rich with opportunity. Investment prospects in select sectors.
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Hungary, Czech and Estonia have led the "pack" in the post-1989 transition.
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Content Partner:
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Content Partner:
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Content Partner:
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Content Partner:
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*Roundtables will be moderated by CEC Government Relations' top executives based in Central Eastern Europe.
VIP Dinner Reception: 17 November 19:00 - 21:30
(subject to health restrictions)
(subject to health restrictions)