The climate for innovations

• “Soft” factors that favour the development of innovation. How to create a good climate for innovations?
• Corporate culture versus creative individuals. Work-life balance
• The role of managers – leadership for innovations
• Innovation and experience. Employers of the Y generation versus teamwork
• Partial legal (tax) solutions that support innovations. Is there the necessity for comprehensive solutions?

The Polish brand in the global economy

• The weakness of Polish brands. Causes and conclusions for the future
• A brand, a margin and a profit. Economic consequences of producing “under a foreign brand”
• Production of highly processed goods supported by a brand as a challenge for Polish exporters
• Room for Polish brands: Let us look for attractive niches.
• How to invest in a brand? Experience gained by enterprises. Strategies adapted to the specific features of local markets
• Branding that utilises modern technologies, tools and modes of communication

EU digital economy

• How do we want to catch up with world leaders?
• EU projects to support economy digitisation processes
• EU regulations, investments, funds. What can provide support to digitisation
• National plans to use information and communication technologies vs. the European digital agenda
• Is the e-state to be a “service” state towards its citizens? Plans held by the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs in the area of administration, the economy and education
• Digitisation as both a challenge and an opportunity for enterprises
• How should business prepare for the advent of the digital economy?

The ETS system versus the economy and energy industry of Central Europe

• Economic consequences of the proposed changes to the ETS Directive according to a project prepared by the European Commission
• Conditions for the implementation of a single European energy market in view of the EU Emissions Trading System
• The ETS reinforced by the MSR. Who will benefit and who will lose?
• Competitiveness of Central European economies in view of the challenges related to the new ETS

Mining. Politics, economics and security

• Demand for coal today and in the next twenty years
• How much does energy security cost? How to ensure it while reducing burdens to the minimum?
• How to reform the industry? Efficiency, costs and necessary restructuring actions
• How to develop a healthy relationship between mining and the energy industry?
• Mining – a social problem. Efficiency and overemployment in Polish mines
• New investors in mining. Plans and the conditions for their implementation

The Europe – China Economic Co-operation Forum. The New Silk Road

• Transport, logistics and trade

• The current situation of the Chinese economy and its impact on the main branches of the global economy

• Chinese economic expansion versus investments for Europe. New opportunities and expectations

• The progress of the One Belt, One Road initiative. Poland as a bridge towards Europe. The EU’s logistics projects and plans for further reinvigoration on the New Silk Road

• Transfer of products, knowledge and technologies between Europe and China. What barriers do we have to overcome?

  
  

Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure

• Systems vulnerable to failures and deliberate external interference (gas, energy, other public utilities, and telecommunications). Potential consequences of disturbances for social life and the economy

• Protection of the sensitive elements of public infrastructure in the face of growing political tensions, climate changes and an increase in the activity of cybercrime groups

• First and foremost, prevention. What actions should be taken by the state and its services? Co-operation between the business sector and public administration

• International co-operation for risk mitigation. Possibilities of forestalling incidents

• How to function efficiently after an incident took place? Minimisation of losses and dealing with the consequences

• Types of cyber risk for the resources and functioning of a contemporary enterprise

• “Paths of access” and sensitive structures of an enterprise

• How to defend ourselves? An overview of tools and services as well as procedures and strategies

  
  

Regional strategies aimed at preventing depopulation

• Demographic situation of and prospects for Poland and Europe
• The role of pro-social programmes of support for rebuilding the demographic potential of Poland and Europe, and their impact on the growth of the GDP across the continent
• Experience gained by the countries of the European Union in shaping the demographic policy – the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Hungary and France
• Social (pro-family) policy in view of contemporary demographic challenges. Subsidies for children (500+ program), “becikowe” [maternity grant], support to parents returning to the labour market
• Other factors that prevent depopulation: professional stability, earnings and migrations
• Demography and the ageing society as barriers to the economic development of Poland. Will there be a labour market devoid of staff?

The automotive industry. The market, technologies and trust

• Environmental standards in the automotive industry and the reality. Where does the limit of reduction in emissions from combustion engines lie?
• The crisis of confidence in traditional types of drive (Diesel engines). The customer’s openness to technological novelties
• The increasing role of electronics and IT technologies in the automotive industry
• From tests to the market: Are robot-cars the future of the automotive industry?
• New technologies in the automotive industry as an opportunity for the automotive sector and creative start-ups

Occupational medicine – in search of a contemporary model

• Costs of the absence of employees in Poland; Main causes of sick leave
• The place and role of employers in the public health system: Medical evaluation is no longer sufficient; The time has come for consulting and preventive care
• Effective health oriented actions taken by employers: Cost or profit resulting from a reduction in sick leave rate?
• Examples of actions taken by employers in the field of health care: preventive medical check-ups for various diseases, including cancer; counselling in the field of addition; promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity
• Employee subscriptions and packages – examples of service ranges
• How to stimulate employers’ activity in the field of health care?
• Solutions concerning occupational medicine in selected EU countries

The energy industry in non-urbanised areas

• The out-of-town energy industry – needs, its specific character, and its potential
• Micro-generation as one of the elements of creating an energy security system
• Distributed energy as an opportunity for agriculture and rural areas. Photovoltaics and wind energy
• Biogas plants in the agri-food industry and the energy industry. Is there a chance for clean livestock farming and clean energy?

Urban space management

• Co-operation or rivalry? The public sector and the private sector in a city
• Demography and migration as key conditions for urban development strategies
• Implementation of a long-term space management plan – limitations and typical mistakes
• Attractive space as a way of competing for inhabitants in the age of urban depopulation
• The influence of a friendly urban environment and a leisure offer on investment attractiveness
• Private investments that are changing the image of Polish cities

Law and economy

• Current trends: Is there a stronger presence of the state in the economy?
• The functioning of the justice system (the lenghtiness of court proceedings) – its impact on entrepreneurship and the free market. Possibilities of reforming the system
• Is there equality in the relations between business and tax inspection authorities? Protection of the interest of the Treasury in practice
• Regulations that protect trading – current state and deficiencies
• How to improve the organisation of courts and the qualifications of judges in the field of economics?
• Law enforcement – corruption and economic crime

The Polish food market. Structure, challenges and the market

• The Polish food industry “is ageing”. There is a need for another wave of pro-development investments
• What should we invest in? Marketing, sales and packaging
• Should we promote specialisation or create food groups? Consolidation strategies in the food sector
• The retail chain tax – its impact on food companies and agriculture
• The war on prices and promotions in the retail market versus the condition of enterprises from the food sector in Poland

The consumer of the 21st century

• Smartphones at the centre of the shopping process in which contemporary customers are involved
• The ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ generations – a challenge for retail chains
• The consumer is expedient, disloyal and impatient. Methods of establishing bonds
• The big-city customer – higher income and higher demands
• Creation of a tailor-made offer
• Logistics. The “here-and-now” goods versus customer satisfaction

Investments in renewable energy sources

• The investment potential of the Polish RES market
• Risks related to investments in RES. Main barriers to market development
• What should we invest in? An array of sources – regulatory risks
• Available sources of financing of investments. The role of banks and investment funds
• The investment projects market. Suppliers and contractors
• Banks financing of investments in RES in the new reality
• Restructuring of existing projects or sales? A positive scenario according to financial institutions

To disenchant Silesia. Ideas for the region

• Concepts and ideas that can propel social activity in Silesia (in view of the imminent decline of traditional industries)
• The role of the young generation and innovative start-ups in the development of the region
• The leisure industry and the quality of life in a conurbation (real property, urban transport, infrastructure, and jobs)
• Design, space, architecture, and the environment? The use of post-industrial space
• Multiculturalism and creativity. Silesia is in fashion

The strong and cohesive European Union

• Structural reforms of the EU

• Budget and economic policies pursued by the EU and its Member States 

• Experience gained from crises to date

• The Fiscal Policy – a tight system that favours development

• Investments and the labour market

• The future of the euro area

The steel industry in Europe and the world

• Economic situation and prices. Steel production – scale and sources of demand
• The Chinese export of cheap steel – potential consequences of the phenomenon
• Defence of the European market – the effectiveness of tools and procedures
• Other factors that impact the steel sector in Europe – the climate policy and the TTIP

The extractive industry worldwide: Is there an opportunity for Polish enterprises?

• Extraction of raw materials worldwide – main trends, development specialisations and key technologies
• The Polish industry of machines and devices for the extractive industry – possibilities at home and presence in foreign markets
• Competitive advantages – the comprehensive scope of the offer, quality and reliability, and servicing and know-how
• The “Polish Heading Machine” programme as part of the government policy: Will it be the basis for co-operation between Polish enterprises in foreign markets?
• Support for Polish exporters – institutions, tools and examples of actions. New institutions of economic diplomacy
• Foreign capital investments in the extractive industry

The Europe – China Economic Co-operation Forum. Finance, investments and industry

• The role of China in the financing of infrastructure projects in Europe. Institutions, activities and plans

• Chinese direct investment as part of the “16+1” initiative – corrections to the strategy and chances of intensification

• Opportunities for the European energy industry, infrastructure, agriculture and industry related to the economic and financial activity of China abroad

The Polish charter flights market

• Geopolitical situation in Europe and worldwide versus the tourist charter flights offer in Poland. Limitations, alternatives and prospects
• Strategies of developing a network of holiday flights in Polish airports. Diversification or consolidation?
• How to reach a customer effectively? Distribution, marketing and promotion
• Developing the offer of holiday flights in winter
• The Tourist Guarantee Fund. Its importance to customers and the market
• Low-cost carriers: The competition or offer supplementation?

Financing of energy and infrastructure projects

• Investment needs of the Polish energy industry. The scale of an investor and the scale of investments
• New conventional and renewable capacities in Poland. Projects according to market assessment
• Factors that influence the selection of a source of capital: ownership structure, investment type and regulations
• Financing with own capital versus external capital Bilans korzyści i ryzyka
• Negotiations, procedures and partners. Factors that influence effective obtaining of financing
• Large-scale investments in the transmission and transport infrastructure – financing from European funds. Dziś i jutro

Private capital in the Polish health care system – today and tomorrow

• Private investors’ involvement in the Polish health care sector:
  • The record to date
  • Examples
  • Prospects
• Planned regulations concerning the legal form of operation of health care entities and hospital networks – their impact on investment plans held by particular enties and private investors
• From a doctor’s office to a nationwide chain of facilities – private equity as a source of financing of investments and development in the Polish health care system: How to utilise this potential?
• Activity of entities operating in the financial and insurance markets in the Polish medical sector – current state and planned undertakings
• Public-private partnership in Polish health care: What next?

Geopolitics

• Europe versus its immediate environment. The diversified and dynamic character of relations between countries

• Raw materials, the economy and geopolitics. Can economic relations have a stabilising effect on politics?

• The Caucasus: Is it close or far away? Its political and economic links with Europe

• Is the crisis knocking on the gates? The situation in the Middle East and its impact on Europe

• Possibilities of co-operation between European countries, North Africa and the Middle East

• Should there be normalisation, despite everything? How to implement political and economic co‑operation in turbulent times?

International tenders

• International tenders – a powerful market and attractive contracts. Who wins?
• Why do Polish enterprises not participate in them? Is it due to a lack of potential or a lack of competence?
• How to participate in the rivalry for orders in the global market effectively?

Low-level emissions

• An overview of the ways to reduce this phenomenon. Strategies and tools as well as social and economic conditions
• Activities undertaken by local governments and social organisations after introduction of the new law on countering smog
• Initiatives at the levels of voivodeships and municipalities
• Solutions created by way of a dialogue (local governments, technology holders and business, and local communities). Initial experience
• The programmes of financing the improvement of air quality
• Will we see nationwide standards in coal quality in retail trade in Poland?
• Should we penalise or persuade? The household budget versus awareness and pro-environmental attitudes

Education vs. employment – in Poland and Europe

• Education in Poland and other European countries in view of labour market challenges
• Monitoring of the needs of employers, career counselling, and a list of professions of the future
• An urgent need for a specialist. The crisis and renaissance of vocational and engineering education
• The dual education system in Germany and Switzerland. Is there much to be learnt from it?
• The role of entrepreneurs in the development of vocational education and of the dual education system – needs, barriers and prospects
• Adaptation of the teaching programme to the needs of the labour market versus the qualifications of teachers and trainers
• Regional strategies of vocational education development – the role of local governments

Private-Public Partnership

• The most recent investments – examples and good practice
• EU funds and the PPP
• The future of hybrid projects
• The role of the government in the promotion of and support for the PPP
• Causes of stagnation to date. Will there be a breakthrough at last?

The energy market

• An assessment of changes that have taken place in the energy market in Poland and Europe. What has been achieved? Where are we heading?
• Problems related to the implementation of the third EU energy package
• The condition of infrastructure versus the degree of integration of the intra-European energy market
• Examples of the impact of investments in the transmission infrastructure on the energy market in the regions (e.g. the energy bridge between Poland and Lithuania)
• The market versus energy prices. Who shapes them? The role of the regulator, the Polish Power Exchange (TGE), Polish producers and the markets of the neighbouring countries
• Consolidation of power exchanges in the countries of Western Europe versus the energy market in Central Europe and Poland

Global competition in the food market

• The consequences of the TTIP for the food sector in Poland and the EU
• Risks and opportunities. The competitiveness of the Polish food sector
• The end of simple advantages: Will Polish enterprises take up the challenge?
• A low price is not the only way. What to compete with and how? Creation of a brand as well as promotion of the value and quality of a product
• Development of export to distant markets. New markets for Polish food
• Economic protectionism Polish enterprises in view of the growing protection of intra-Union markets

15 years of e-commerce in Poland

• Legal changes that build the advantage of the e-commerce industry
• Poland’s strengths: location, warehouse base and professionals
• A single digital market as an opportunity to maximise the potential of e-commerce    
• Personal data – between protection of privacy and personalisation of an offer
• The specific nature of Polish customers

Innovations in the energy industry

• New trends in energy generation, transmission and storage
• Various models of innovation – projects implemented by Polish energy groups
• Disposal of CO2. Should there be CCU instead of CCS?
• A fresh impetus – the circular economy

Participatory budgets

• From fashion to real needs to good practice
• Construction, verification and project implementation. Outlays and the scale of undertakings
• An alibi for local governments that remain deaf to active citizenship, or a way to increase active citizenship?
• Civic budgets versus the experience gained from creation of social capital. The key role of local communities
• Announcement of the results of the competition that promotes the most interesting ideas implemented as part of civic budgets: “Mieszkam tu! – Mądre pomysły na mądre miasto\"

Commercialisation of R&D works and audits in scientific and industrial projects

• Implementation of R&D works: How to do it efficiently and effectively?

• The White Paper on Innovations – barriers to the development of R&D operations in Poland

• R&D infrastructure co-financed from EU funds: How to utilise it in order to make a profit on it? VAT in EU projects

• Results of R&D works versus project settlement – audits in R&D projects

The steel industry – steel distribution

• Supply sources of metallurgical products for steel distribution, steel distribution vs. EU’s anti-dumping policies
• New forms of hazards to the steel distribution market
• Postponed protection of the steel market in Poland
• Market cycles and core demand sources for steel in Poland – construction market, infrastructural investments
• Steel prices in Poland – prospects and underlying factors

The coal-based energy industry: What next?

• Relations between the energy industry and mining as an element of the energy policy of the state
• Unprofitable mines and the profitable energy industry. A new take on an old dispute
• Should the energy industry own coal assets? Rules, transparency and cost accounting
• The energy industry’s demand for coal – the role of the market and regulations

Water management in Central Europe

• The condition and stability of water resources versus the security of water supplies in the countries of Central Europe. An assessment of the situation, trends and prospects
• The hydrological drought of 2015: Was it a serious warning? Its consequences for the energy industry and industry in general as well as for agriculture, forest resources, the environment and life
• Factors that determine the condition of water resources: weather cycles (permanent climate changes), natural conditions, pollution, water management and hydraulic engineering investments, as well as water consumption by industry and the municipal economy
• Water management: international co-operation in the areas of drainage basins of major rivers, water strategies at the national level, local actions, and individual models of behaviour
• Applicable and desired regulations that are to standardise the use of water resources. Retention versus investments – the role of the state

Drones - technology, business, regulations

• Technology, business and security. The market for unmanned aerial vehicles worldwide and in Poland

• Possible applications of drones today and tomorrow – infrastructure, security and agriculture

• Civil unmanned vehicles in view of the law – directions of changes

• Unmanned aircraft systems as a Polish speciality. Production of drones versus research and development activities

• Comprehensive UAV solutions on the industrial scale – challenges and possibilities

The Visegrád Group in the global arena. Prospects of development of relations with the emerging markets

• Global goals and interests of the members of the Visegrád Group

• Are they partners or competitors? Opportunities for and barriers to the co-operation between the countries of the Visegrád Group in the emerging markets

• Potential areas of co-operation (tourism, promotion of the economies, and investments)

• Mechanisms and instruments that support joint activities

  
  

Waste management

• Problems related to waste management versus large incineration plants that are entering the market
• In-house orders and competition in the waste management market
• Why do Poles still not sort their rubbish? Good practice from Europe and around the world
• New technologies in waste management and utilisation. Logistics, organisation and know-how
• Will incineration plants change local heat markets and impact the electricity market?
• The EU package for the circular economy model. Objectives and the expected consequences of transformation

Housing and residential construction

• Residential, municipal and social construction. Polish and European experience
• Older matter – new functions. The role of revitalisation in the shaping of the housing policy
• Programmes of support for and financing of residential construction, including the programme of the construction of cheap flats
• Housing versus migration and demographic trends

Co-operation in the food industry

• Co-operation between agriculture and the food industry
• The production capacity of agriculture versus the competitiveness and efficiency of production companies in Poland
• Can there be a common interest based on sound principles? Co-operation between retail trade, suppliers, distributors and processing plants

The space industry

• Assumptions of the European space policy. How to divide this cake into slices?
• The activity of the European Space Agency (ESA). Its effects to date
• The Polish Space Agency – the point of establishing it, an assessment, and a vision
• Polish devices and technologies – our contribution to the development of the European space sector
• The intellectual and technological potential in the implementation of the European space programme. Aviation, defence and telecommunications companies
• Space research as an opportunity for Polish science and economy. How to make use of it?
• Joint research – an element of European integration