Main thematic streams
- Security and sovereignty
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Europe and Poland in the face of the threat from the East. How can resilience be built efficiently under time pressure, and what does it depend on? Reindustrialisation, the defence industry and dual-use – new and urgent needs: how to meet them effectively while building up the potential of European industry. European defence cooperation – the effort and its potential results in the context of the changing role of the US and NATO. Critical raw materials and the chances of independence. Technological sovereignty and economic and political security. Energy independence: a resilient structure for the Polish and European energy sector, a common energy market, investment that strengthens energy security. Polish and European local content in investment projects: delivery in practice, potential, resources, company competences and specialisations, a new place in value chains.
- Geopolitics. Poland, Europe, the world
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Tensions, conflicts and wars – their immediate and delayed economic consequences. The global economy: a new balance of power; dominance, rivalry, cooperation. A new European economic policy and the Multiannual Financial Framework: priority goals and the tools to finance them, competitiveness and protection of the internal market, cohesion policy, national interests, the free market and economic integration. Taking stock “two years after the Draghi report”. Europe in an internal political crisis: effectiveness and decision-making. New models and changes that would strengthen its capacity to act. Deregulation – a constant and key demand of business. Areas and issues in which Europe can and should speak with one voice and act together. Central Europe and its current and future role in the EU. Ukraine. Migration and the relocation of workers – in Europe and globally. Economic expansion and acquisitions, world trade in the face of barriers, logistics and supply amid permanent instability. The future of the Polish economy and the main political forces – the elections.
- Three transitions: energy, climate, industry
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The goals and pace of decarbonisation, EU priorities, regulation and deregulation in response to the current challenges of the transition. Breakthrough programmes and investment in power generation and infrastructure, and the rapidly changing energy mix – in Europe and in Poland. The role of private investors and the market, the state and the regulatory framework. Energy security – the energy mix now and in the long term, diversification of imports and distributed sources, the role of the energy market. A system for new times: resilient, flexible, decentralised and smart. Electrification: a new economy, its structure, specific features and needs. Technological and structural change in traditional industries: trends, dynamics, forecasts. Energy prices and competitiveness. ESG, sustainable production and regulation – here and now, and tomorrow. Adapting industry to changes in the energy sector and to the effects of climate change: low-carbon solutions, the circular economy, on-site energy generation.
- Digitalisation, technology, manufacturing
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The opportunities and threats of the digital transformation. European manufacturing up against Asia – real chances and the call for a level playing field. Potential advantages, niches and specialisations. Industry 4.0/5.0 – what next? Spacetech, smart manufacturing, medtech, biotechnology, advanced materials, raw material processing and recovery, and other sectors and trends with potential. AI “in everything” – expectations, effects, problems. The autonomy of technological solutions – trends, concerns, control. Data centres for AI – the economic, social and political conditions for investment. Disinformation and cybersecurity.
- Infrastructure investment: critical, resilient, smart
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Strategic projects in transport, logistics, energy and digital infrastructure. Dual-use infrastructure, military mobility, new mobility – directions and the outlook for change. Major infrastructure programmes: how they are financed and delivered, and their expected results – the impact on the economy. Infrastructure maintenance, modernisation and costs. Real estate and construction; scarce space and land as capital. Regeneration, brownfield sites, sustainable investment.
- People, development, work
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The labour market and demographics: gaps and needs, depopulation, ageing – is return migration to Poland a new trend? The longevity economy? Business models, services, technologies, investment and public policy. Science, education and skills for the economy. People and disruptive technologies – digital hygiene. Youth in crisis? The new generation and its ambitions in the face of technological change, new threats and demands, instability and crises. The many faces of innovation and how it works in practice. Management. Local government, metropolises and regions. The state of entrepreneurship in Europe and in the region – leaders, aspirations, succession, the art of adaptation. Culture, sport and events. Quality of life. Health. The natural environment. Non-governmental organisations.
Thematic paths
Europe and the world 16
- Europe at a crossroads
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Is it time for an economic leap? How can Europe find its place in global value chains? Faced with the aggressive trade and industrial policies of the US and China, is the EU ready to move beyond strategies and regulations towards joint investment, deeper market integration and decisions that genuinely strengthen its economic power? Caught between protectionism and openness, how can it build economic security without missing out on global opportunities?
- The sovereignty and competitiveness of European industry
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Speakers will hold Europe’s competitiveness ambitions up against the results of the reforms already in place and ask what should come next. Participants will also debate the idea of an industrial alliance for deregulation, lower energy prices and protection of the European market against unfair competition from the East.
- The EU as a global player
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This session looks at Europe’s relations with the world’s major powers and with regional political and economic leaders on important and geopolitically sensitive issues, from Taiwan and China, India, Brazil, South Korea and Canada to the Gulf states, Greenland and the Arctic. The debate will also cover multilateralism as the new pragmatism, built on broad coalitions of countries committed to international law, and make the case for free trade agreements instead of isolation, with interdependence serving as a guarantee of stability.
- The world after globalisation
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What are the alternatives to chaos – a new concert of powers? Who will set the new rules for trade, investment and access to raw materials? Rivalry between economic powers and the reshaping of trade relations could change the conditions for doing business for good, so we will ask how companies and economies can adapt to a permanently unstable environment.
- Central Europe as the Community’s industrial base
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How can Central Europe turn its economic weight and strategic location into real influence on Europe’s industrial, trade and investment agenda? Ukraine will be an important part of this conversation.
- European security policy
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To what extent can the European Union “step into NATO’s shoes”? Can it take effective care of its own security and build a credible deterrent?
- Poland in Europe
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This session reflects on the G20 and Poland’s global aspirations, as well as on a new growth model and the new advantages that could drive it, including its directions and priorities, opportunities and external conditions. The discussion will also map out Poland’s place on the changing map of production and investment, and its current and future role in the region and in Europe.
- European capital for growth
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Negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 are under way, with catching-up countries facing off against the EU’s “frugals” – so how can a compromise be found? Speakers will weigh up the priorities of the new model for spending EU funds and the future of cohesion policy. And how long will EU funds remain a key building block of the welfare state in Poland?
- Deregulation
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Cutting red tape is a constant demand of European business and a precondition for competitiveness. Panellists will assess the scale of the bureaucratic burden on the economy, its effects and costs, and the most promising ways to reduce it.
- The EU single market
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The EU single market and its shortcomings. Which barriers still hold back the provision of services, the free movement of capital and the scaling up of businesses?
- Migration
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This session examines migration policy in Europe and migration as a global phenomenon with long-term economic and social consequences. The debate will be framed by rationality and security, political pragmatism and values.
- Young Europeans
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Young Europeans face some of the biggest challenges of our time: the climate crisis, disruptive technologies, the rising cost of living and job insecurity, uncertain labour market prospects, populism and the crisis of democracy, the quality of education and the lack of role models, to name just a few.
- European local content
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Made in EU? What results have local content policies delivered in the member states? Poland, one year after launching its programme, will serve as a case in point. Another theme is how production and investment in Europe can strengthen the continent’s independence, give preference to local companies, encourage nearshoring and help partners work together on European solutions.
- Europe’s information sovereignty
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Reliable, independent information is a strategic asset and part of Europe’s critical infrastructure. What does information security actually mean, and how can we measure it? Finally, what role do business, the media and capital play in building Europe’s information infrastructure?
- Reform/review of the EU ETS and the future of ETS2
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The debate will be set against the backdrop of competitiveness, reindustrialisation and industry’s investment in decarbonisation. Speakers will address the pool of free allowances and the role of the Modernisation Fund, and consider what the planned changes could mean for individual member states.
- EU enlargement
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What would possible accessions by Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine mean geopolitically and economically? The session will also examine the prospect of enlargement as a tool of both foreign and domestic policy. Joining and leaving: speakers will compare political camps that aspire to EU membership with “centrifugal” ones, together with their hopes and fears, calculations and arguments.
Security and defence 7
- Strong, united, resilient
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What makes a country resilient? What needs to change in public administration, education, media distribution and resource management before we can speak of a truly resilient state and society? Hybrid warfare is already here – are we ready for it, how should we prepare, and what has our experience taught us so far?
- Dual-use production
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How can we build an effective dual-use ecosystem? The key lies in cooperation between the administration, the big state-owned player and the private sector.
- Defence, the Polish way
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How does spending on modernising the armed forces translate into the development of domestic industry, technology and skills? Polonisation, home-grown solutions that can compete with imports, and the role of science and research are all part of the picture.
- Safe skies
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This session showcases Polish, regional and European initiatives and solutions for air defence, a key component of national defence. Speakers will cover counter-drone systems, detection and neutralisation, and access to technology, including missiles. They will also highlight cooperation between countries (NATO, EU), between companies, and between the military and business.
- Poland and Central Europe as Europe’s arsenal
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This session considers the role of domestic industry, science and the private sector in building European defence value chains, and what it will take to get there. The export potential of the Polish and Central European defence sector will also be on the agenda.
- Global logistics and raw materials security
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Shorter supply chains that sit closer to demand, and the stockpiling of reserves, are not just a Polish or European concern. Because of conflicts, blockades and disruptions, exporters and producers of fuels and raw materials are also putting security first. So how can supply stability be ensured as global tensions and conflicts escalate?
- Social resilience
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Social resilience in the face of crises and extreme events depends on a modern security system and infrastructure. The agenda includes civil protection, civil defence and the emergency services, the power of disinformation and the ways to counter it – including through education – and technologies that protect lives and health.
Energy and transition 20
- Europe’s energy security
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How are fuel imports and logistics chains coping with today’s geopolitical situation? What lessons can be drawn from recent crises, and how can we put them to use? Speakers will also examine the role of infrastructure and of a common European energy market.
- Regulation and the energy sector
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Which regulatory solutions boost energy security, support investment and bring down energy prices for the economy and industry? This session will try to identify them.
- Energy prices and competitiveness
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Energy has become one of the key arenas of global economic and political rivalry. Panellists will analyse how energy prices affect the cost of industrial production in Europe and its attractiveness to investors, and review EU energy policy and the measures aimed at bringing prices down.
- Investment in the energy sector
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Poland’s big energy investment programmes – in nuclear, grid infrastructure and gas-fired generation – could have a major impact on the economy. One year on, it’s time to take stock of local content and the share of Polish companies in these projects. Investors, manufacturers and contractors will share their experience and good practice, and point to the barriers they face.
- Renewable energy
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What should the target place of renewables in the energy mix be, and what role do they play in the system today? Is this the end of renewables auctions or a fresh start, now that the main driver of onshore wind and large-scale PV is running out of steam? What comes next for the support scheme? The new priorities are clear: not just adding capacity, but managing renewable energy within the system. Speakers will also discuss Renewable Energy Acceleration Areas (OPRO), the role of local governments in creating them, and the barriers to investment.
- Offshore wind
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Offshore wind is changing the geography of Polish energy. What has the capacity already in operation brought so far? With the Baltic turning into a construction site, the focus shifts to local content in the next phases, new projects and the second auction.
- Onshore wind
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Speakers will compare the scenarios for the sector in the National Energy and Climate Plan (KPEiK) with the investment gap, and stress the need for a predictable and stable regulatory environment. Local content in onshore wind is an opportunity for industry, so the debate will explore the conditions and skills needed to make the most of it. Acquisitions and repowering are also on the agenda – as is the question of whether onshore wind and solar PV compete or complement each other.
- Nuclear
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Where do the arrangements between the investor and the contractors stand, and how are the EPC contract negotiations progressing? The session will review preparations for the start of construction and the associated infrastructure, ask what determines the level of local content, and look ahead to Poland’s second nuclear project.
- SMRs
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SMRs are an area where the private sector and the administration can work together. Investors, potential sites and technological maturity will be in focus, along with the regulatory framework that is still needed.
- Hydrogen and low-carbon fuels
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What role can hydrogen and its derivatives play in the energy transition and in decarbonising industry?
- Coal in the system
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What will fill the capacity gap left by coal? The last capacity market auction for coal-fired units will take place in 2027, so what comes after that? How long will we still need coal power, and how can we keep the generating capacity the system needs?
- Grids, investment, regulation
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The energy infrastructure of the future has to respond to today’s challenges: security, transition and electrification. Resilience, flexibility, technology and digitalisation are on the table. Speakers will also assess the effects of the so-called grid act, which was meant to unlock grid connection capacity.
- Energy storage
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Energy storage is an important and fast-growing investment area. Experts will explain the role of storage in the power system and in managing available capacity, and cover location, functions, operating economics and fit with local conditions. Support for “distributed” storage will also be discussed.
- Electrifying the economy
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The European Commission has announced a political plan to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and increase resilience to geopolitical crises. What comes next, and what will it look like in practice? Competitive battery technologies, in terms of both efficiency and price, are key – could Poland become a hub of the European battery industry?
- The system and the market – time for change
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How do we redesign the power system to match today’s realities: distributed generation, a new energy mix, and the security needs of a digitalised system? Flexibility of the system and of demand, along with energy management, will be central themes. Speakers will also show how CSIRE and AI can help optimise the system and adapt it to the new energy market model, with consumers becoming active players.
- The capacity market
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What should the scheme look like in the future to keep the system secure and stable?
- Distributed energy
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The growth of renewables is reshaping the structure of the Polish energy sector. Generating power close to the consumer means lower costs, smaller transmission losses and greater energy independence. The session will look at how distributed sources make the system more secure and resilient to failures, disruptions and attacks, and how they increase flexibility and benefit prosumers. Grid connections, cable pooling, energy storage and energy cooperatives are also on the agenda, as are local governments on the road to energy self-sufficiency.
- The heating transition
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Moving away from fossil fuels requires major investment and access to financing. What could the heating strategy deliver? New technologies and local resources will be explored, together with the integration of heating and power, and the benefits for the system, businesses and consumers.
- Gas in the energy sector and the economy
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What place should gas have in the energy mix and what role in the system? The discussion will cover gas infrastructure, imports, diversification and security, as well as gas as a fuel and feedstock for industry.
- Biogas, biomethane, syngas
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Renewable gases have huge untapped potential in municipal services, power generation and heating. Panellists will discuss the transmission and storage infrastructure, regulation, and financing, including EU funds. We will also look at their role in the transition and their importance for energy independence and security.
Climate, environment, economy 7
- EU climate policy
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Is it time for a review? Its goals, results and achievements will be put to the test, along with its impact on the economy. The policy is carrying on under pressure, and its paths, tools and timelines are being adjusted.
- Sustainable, low-carbon production
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European and Polish industry is on the road to decarbonisation. How big are the needs, and what support mechanisms are available? Speakers will describe how industry is adapting to changes in the energy sector and to the effects of climate change: through a mix of low-carbon solutions, waste reduction and the circular economy, self-generation of energy (including investment in own sources and the regulatory environment), and better energy efficiency and consumption management.
- Adapting to climate change
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Adapting to climate change is a task for business, cities and the administration alike. Wildfires, heatwaves, droughts and crop losses – extreme events are set to become more frequent. The insurance gap and rising premiums are another growing concern.
- The circular economy
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The circular economy – how is it shaping the strategies of companies across different industries?
- The deposit return scheme
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The deposit return scheme is on its way to maturity. The role of local governments will be examined, along with the costs and benefits of the system.
- The green transition in construction
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Is it already a reality, or still wishful thinking?
- The water crisis
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We will examine how spatial planning affects water security, how adaptation projects can be financed, and what responsibility local governments bear for preparing infrastructure for the effects of climate change.
Digitalisation and new technologies 13
- Europe’s technological sovereignty
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Europe wants to be a technology powerhouse, not just a market for others’ products. But can it create and commercialise its own solutions? Digital sovereignty should not mean isolation, so we will ask how to combine international cooperation with building our own technological capabilities in a way that creates lasting value for the economy. Local content in technology partnerships and investment will also be part of the debate.
- The digital economy – strategies and results
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The journey leads from digitalising processes to co-creating business value, and it is not only about what is new, but also about what lasts. Speakers will examine how digital transformation affects productivity, competitiveness and resilience.
- AI factories and data centres
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Costs and context matter. How can we pursue our ambitions to build data centres and AI gigafactories while taking into account access to energy (and the competition with industry for it), the efficient use of resources and public acceptance? And how should the new infrastructure be financed so that it creates value for the economy and supports technological independence?
- The state’s digital security
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As global threats keep growing, cybersecurity has become the foundation of a resilient state. How can we build domestic skills and technologies? How can we keep systems efficient, stable and resilient while developing the national cybersecurity system? We will also address the challenge of AI being used by both adversaries and defenders.
- Cyber resilience: regulation and responsibility
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What are – or should be – policymakers and regulation responsible for, and what falls to solution providers and users?
- Big Tech and regulation
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The European Commission is calling Poland out for its delay in implementing the Digital Services Act, while the debate over deepfakes and platform liability continues.
- Cybersecurity
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Cybersecurity will be viewed from several angles: business, infrastructure, crime, society, the military and politics. Securing digital infrastructure will be a key thread.
- Artificial intelligence as competitiveness infrastructure
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The investment race is turning into a race for returns, so it is time for a realistic assessment of what AI can do for business. How can companies move from AI experiments to deployments that improve productivity, quality and the bottom line? And who should verify the value created by AI, and how?
- AI agents in the company
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AI agents bring a new model of business and management, and call for new skills. The session will weigh the autonomy of AI agents against accountability for the decisions they make, and ask what opportunities and risks they bring for an organisation’s (cyber)security.
- Data for AI
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The quality and availability of data, the rules for using it and the practical skills to do so will be the starting point for a discussion on what makes AI deployments effective.
- The company of the future
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The session follows the digitalisation of industry, smart manufacturing and the use of AI on the factory floor, all heading towards the autonomous factory. As robotics meets AI models, speakers will debate where the automation of production, warehousing and logistics is going. Working alongside AI also calls for a new kind of industrial workforce.
- Telecoms for business
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Fibre networks, 5G and data processing form the backbone of digitalisation in industry, retail and services, and are a precondition for national security.
- The digital state
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How should services for citizens and business be designed? The voice of the administration will meet the voice of business, with a focus on users’ real needs, simpler procedures and support for economic growth.
Transport, infrastructure, construction 12
- Transport infrastructure in Poland and in Europe
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This session reviews key programmes, new needs and the conditions shaping them, with a special focus on cross-border infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Rail Baltica, Via Carpatia and the Katowice–Ostrava rail link. Speakers will report on progress and coordination, and on delivery and financing challenges.
- Rail: investment and financing
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It’s time to sum up the 2021–2027 period: has rail become more efficient? What next for the High-Speed Rail project, and what development scenarios are on the table? Another key question is how rail investment will be financed in the new Multiannual Financial Framework.
- CPK/Port Polska
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How is the CPK airport programme being delivered? Timelines, the involvement of Polish construction firms, legal challenges and financing will all be covered, as will changes to Europe’s airport network, the impact of the investment on the economy, the role of a hub carrier and the rail component.
- Aviation: infrastructure, market, regulation
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Poland’s airport expansion programme covers investment in regional airports as well as Chopin Airport, together with the development of dual-use infrastructure. The growth of cargo, fuel challenges (price and SAF) and the competitiveness of European airlines will also be discussed.
- Air cargo
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What does the cargo market in Poland look like today? We will cover the development of terminal infrastructure, cargo carriers and the impact of Chinese e-commerce on the Polish aviation sector.
- The aerospace industry
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Poland’s aerospace sector is growing and earning its place in global supply chains. Innovation in aviation will take centre stage, including MRO, UAVs and new manufacturing technologies.
- Aviation and security
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Airport infrastructure, much of it dual-use, plays a critical role in the new security architecture. Cybersecurity challenges and the role of cargo in national resilience will be discussed. Civilian operators and the military will present their views on the obligations and costs of adapting airports to new requirements.
- The Baltic ports
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The Baltic ports are Poland’s gateway to our part of Europe. The session explores the role of maritime transport in today’s geopolitical reality, the Polish flag, container infrastructure and new investment.
- Poland on Europe’s logistics map
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Is Poland a transit country or a European intermodal hub? New private investment shows why infrastructure matters for supply chain security and resilience, and what value it brings to the Polish economy. Speakers will also weigh up the opportunities and risks for logistics amid global tensions and regulatory change.
- War, logistics, security
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The Ukrainian corridor is the starting point. Panellists will examine the plans for a standard-gauge line to Lviv and what they mean for the future of the LHS broad-gauge line and Sławków. Military mobility on NATO’s eastern flank requires adapting the transport network to security needs, including through dual-use infrastructure such as Rail Baltica.
- Construction
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What are the main trends in the construction market? Expansion abroad, diversification and investing with own capital are high on the list, as is the place of Polish construction firms in the value chains of the largest national investment programmes. People and skills, technologies and materials will also be on the agenda.
- In search of a new El Dorado
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As road programmes wind down, the contracting market for major projects needs new strategies, new directions for expansion and new skills. Where does the industry see promising growth opportunities? Local content will also be examined both as a programme and in practice.
Industry and competitiveness 5
- Polish niches
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How can Poland move from assembly plants to high-margin, competitive manufacturing? Promising industrial specialisations include battery production, urban mining and raw materials processing, systems and equipment for the new energy sector, e-mobility and means of transport, and advanced defence technologies.
- Energy-intensive sectors: support and transition
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High energy prices are putting energy-intensive production in Europe and in Poland under pressure. Speakers will explain why these sectors matter for security, economic sovereignty and the labour market, and look at public support – what is possible and what is needed – as well as the transition efforts of energy-intensive companies.
- Steel and metals
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How effective are the tools that protect the European market, and how is their effectiveness checked? We will examine Europe’s steelmaking capacity in the context of security, access to cheaper energy and support, and strategic specialisations such as non-ferrous metals and special steels. Advanced, efficient, low-carbon technologies in metals production will also be showcased.
- The chemical industry
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The chemical industry is searching for new business models. It faces regulatory and cost pressure, Asian competition, the challenge of access to raw materials and the shift to low-carbon technologies. The debate will also show why European chemical production, from fertilisers to basic chemicals, matters for security and economic sovereignty.
- The automotive industry
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The automotive industry is at a turning point. The European car sector is facing a competitiveness crisis and looking for new strategies: tailoring production to local markets, innovation in transport, dual-use production and cooperation with Chinese manufacturers.
Finance and investment 7
- Major investment programmes
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Major investment programmes – how they are financed and why they matter. The session will look at domestic and European local content, take stock of the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework from an investment perspective, and get a first glimpse of plans for investment financing in the next one. How can we measure the economic return on major investments? And how can continuity and stability be ensured for strategic road, rail and multimodal projects such as Port Polska?
- Investment attractiveness and what drives it
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Investment attractiveness and what drives it: labour costs in Poland and in Europe, political uncertainty and instability, access to talent and EU regulation. How far does the tax burden on profitable industries hold back investment? Do tax reliefs attract new factories and technologies? And what puts investors off the most: high taxes, red tape, overregulation or unpredictable decisions by the tax authorities?
- Financial markets, investment, saving
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How are the changing economic environment and financial markets shaping investment strategies? Speakers will examine the Warsaw Stock Exchange and the appetite for investing, as well as new ways to save, build capital and manage risk in a fast-changing world. Personal Investment Accounts (OKI) will be presented as an incentive to invest long-term.
- Public debt
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Public debt is a global problem. Poland is an example of fast-rising debt in 2023–2026, and its causes and effects will be analysed. How can budgets be managed under pressure from public expectations and populism? Ratings, inflation and the cost of servicing debt are all part of the picture. Security, social transfers or investment – where can spending be cut, and what tough choices does that involve? What determines a country’s financial security, and who will finance the growing debt as states compete with businesses for access to credit and capital?
- Tax solutions that support growth
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Tax solutions that support growth and are business-friendly. The state decides on higher burdens for selected industries and reliefs for “strategic companies”. But who benefits, and who pays for rising public spending? Should profitability be penalised, or should those who invest be rewarded? The tax system is also a burden in itself – will digitalising the tax administration cut red tape?
- Taxes of the future
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Can tax systems that rely largely on taxing labour and consumption keep financing rising public spending? Another question is how to tax global corporations and the profits generated in the digital economy.
- Insurance
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The insurance market is facing global megatrends and threats: volatile weather, demographic change, cyber aggression and geopolitics. Disruptive technologies such as AI also raise new questions about civil liability. Panellists will discuss new regulations and how ready insurers and the insured are for them, as well as risk management strategies, forecasting and the use of data. Finally, what role can an effective insurance system play at the new stage of the Polish economy’s development?
People, development, work 12
- How to build team engagement that works
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How to build team engagement that works – organisational culture, benefits, flexibility and good management.
- Work, diversity, inclusion
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Effective management in a multicultural, diverse environment. Gender parity and corporate governance will also be addressed.
- Leadership
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Leadership in a world of constant change: is it about planning or reacting? Which traits and skills make an organisation successful? Managing in the age of AI expansion comes with its own demands, opportunities and risks.
- Young entrepreneurs
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What is the state of entrepreneurship in Europe and in the region? Leaders, aspirations, succession and the art of adapting will all come up.
- Schools and universities facing AI
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What should we teach, and how, when the tools change faster than the curricula? Speakers will explore the conscious and safe use of AI in teaching, as well as good practice and the responsible, ethical use of AI in research.
- Education for the future
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Which learning models and curricula meet the new needs of social, economic and technological development? Shorter, flexible and hybrid formats, a focus on practice and personalisation, and a system of business–university cooperation are all on the table.
- Skills, the economy, the labour market
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The labour market has a shortage of skilled workers alongside a surplus of graduates. Who is responsible for developing skills – the education system, employers, employees, or the state? The session will also focus on talent for defence and energy, vocational training, reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning, as well as international students.
- Growing older
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How should we prepare for profound demographic change? Speakers will discuss new services such as care, new ways for institutions to operate, the reform and development of social security systems, and investment in infrastructure. The silver economy turns longevity into a business trend. The retirement age and longer working lives will also be on the table.
- Youth in crisis?
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The new generation has its own ambitions in the face of technological change, new threats and demands, instability and crises. Young people on the labour market will be a key theme, with a special focus on Generation Alpha, as will the leaders and social engagement of the younger generation.
- Migration policy (or the lack of it) and the labour market
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Companies need workers, yet Poles don’t want migrants in the country. How can the two be reconciled? Return migration is part of the story, too.
- Digital hygiene
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Digital hygiene is about the relationship between people and disruptive technologies. What shouldn’t we hand over to algorithms? Critical thinking, judging how reliable information is, and making responsible decisions are more important than ever.
- The future of the Polish economy
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The future of the Polish economy as seen by representatives of the main political forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
Expansion, exports, cooperation 5
- The new role of economic diplomacy
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The new role of economic diplomacy in areas of strategic importance for Poland: the European Union, the G20 and regional cooperation. Does Poland have the right tools to pursue a global economic policy? Can Warsaw maintain independent trade relations with Delhi and Brasília?
- How to work with China
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How to work with China in a world of fierce competition, geopolitical instability and strained relations? Europe is shifting from defending its market to building its own competitiveness. Is it possible to attract investment and technology from Asia while building local content and developing our own capabilities? Should Poland actively seek Chinese industrial investment – and if so, in which sectors and on what terms?
- Technological rivalry and cooperation worldwide
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How can international alliances focused on technology cooperation help Poland and Europe close the gap with global leaders? Can Europe give local companies the scale, capital and market access they need – and if so, how?
- Expansion 2.0
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Polish business is entering a new stage in the battle for global markets. It offers a chance for growth that neither the domestic nor even the European market can provide. Will expansion become the main engine of the country’s economy? Investment, mergers and acquisitions will be in the spotlight.
- Economic cooperation forums
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- Poland–India–Europe
- Poland–Vietnam
- Europe–Canada
- Poland–Ukraine–Europe Forum
- Poland–Czechia
- Poland–Slovakia
- Poland–Hungary
- Poland–Saudi Arabia
- Poland–United Arab Emirates
- Poland–South Korea
- Poland–Taiwan
- Poland–Uzbekistan
Cities, metropolises, regions 9
- Local government finance
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How is the new revenue model working in practice? Has the reform made local finances more stable and predictable? And with the RRF coming to an end, how can local governments get through the investment slump?
- Depopulation and development
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Populations are shrinking, residents are ageing and the number of taxpayers is falling. How can public service networks be adapted to demographic change? Metropolises keep attracting residents and capital, while towns and municipalities are losing their economic functions and their people.
- Public transport
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How can we tackle transport exclusion? Speakers will chart the way forward for zero-emission public transport through electrification, discuss reducing car traffic while expanding public transport, and look at personal micromobility.
- Local infrastructure
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Roads, bridges, transport, water and sewage networks, and social infrastructure are the main areas of local government spending. How can the pace of investment be kept up?
- Energy in local government
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The session covers energy costs, the growth of renewables and energy storage, energy clusters and communities, and better energy efficiency in public buildings. It will also examine the role of local governments in building energy security.
- Waste management
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Waste management after the big changes. How are municipal services working after the latest round of regulatory changes? Speakers will review EPR, the deposit return scheme, recycling rates, bio-waste and waste-to-energy plants.
- Civil protection in practice
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Local governments will share their first experience with their new civil protection and civil defence duties. The resilience of public services and keeping utilities running in a crisis will also be addressed.
- The digital local government
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Administration is going digital, using data and automating processes, and AI is arriving in the town hall. Cybersecurity in local government is another challenge, along with the new duties and costs that come with it.
- Big investments, local protests
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How can public consent be built for wind farms, biogas plants, incinerators, power lines, retention reservoirs and major transport projects? Dialogue with residents is key.
Food industry. Agriculture 8
- The competitiveness of Europe’s food industry
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The session will look at the role of the EU’s trade agreements with countries around the world and at EU regulation, including on packaging – PPWR, EPR and deposit return schemes, which are a big headache for companies. Speakers will also assess the conditions and potential of Polish agriculture and food production, and their possible role in ensuring food security for the region and for Europe. The new geopolitics of food and trade puts security front and centre, and food diplomacy is gaining importance. How can the state help companies that are strategically important for food security?
- Polish food giants
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Some domestic companies are ready to play in Europe’s premier league. Panellists will look at the scale and ambitions of the largest food groups: how they grow, take over competitors, invest and build their exports. Is Poland creating its own global food brands?
- Polish food in the world
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It’s time to move from cost advantage to brand. Food exports need to move up a level, as the advantages of relatively low prices are gradually running out. We need to sell brands and values, and look for new markets.
- Private labels and producer brands on the market
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The balance has tipped in favour of the retail chains. What do we expect from brands, and what from private labels?
- Farm models and the needs of the food industry
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Family farms are building cooperation through producer groups and cooperatives. The debate will consider the competitiveness of agriculture and the needs of processors, as well as the growing role of large-scale farms and “farm to fork” production.
- Energy for agriculture
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How will the transition change the competitiveness of farms? How can they tap the potential of renewables, biogas and energy storage to cut production costs, improve energy security and create new revenue streams?
- The future of Polish and European agriculture
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The future of Polish and European agriculture in the face of global competition, new trade agreements (with Ukraine and Mercosur) and changes to the CAP. How can we make Polish agriculture more competitive under pressure on production costs and farm profitability, while ensuring food security and balancing the interests of farmers, processors and retailers? And how can new technologies, AI and data be used to cut costs, raise productivity and make better use of resources?
- The farm of the future
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Technology, capital and a new economics of farming are changing agriculture. Investment in modern technologies, the energy transition, adaptation to climate change, and new models of farm financing and management all play a part – so how do we build resilient, modern agriculture?
Retail and the consumer 4
- The market and the consumer
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Retail moves in step with the consumer, driven by longevity, convenience and, as always… price. Trust and credibility in online shopping are key, as is verifying data and authenticating customers online with the European Digital Identity Wallet.
- New directions in retail
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New directions in retail include retail media, food service and services. What is the future of brick-and-mortar stores, and what new role will physical retail play in the digital age?
- E-commerce in the integration phase
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Store, platform, warehouse, logistics and payments – the circle is closing. Product discovery, transaction and fulfilment are becoming one seamless whole.
- Technology in e-commerce
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Payments, logistics automation and SaaS e-commerce platforms will be explored, as will agentic commerce, where autonomous AI takes part in the buying process.
Real estate 7
- The real estate market in Poland
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Offices, warehouses, retail, housing, hotels, student housing and data centres – we will gauge the condition of each sector, demand, supply, new investment and the outlook for the coming years. Data centres, industry, warehouses and office buildings are now competing for energy and infrastructure.
- The new map of capital in real estate
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Who is “buying Poland” today? Global funds, Central European investors and increasingly strong Polish capital are all in the game. But who will finance the new wave of investment – banks, private debt, bonds or alternative sources of financing?
- Poland in the new balance of power
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Nearshoring, the defence boom and the reshaping of supply chains are shaping investors’ decisions. New hubs for industrial and logistics investment are emerging, and the race for strategic projects is on.
- The housing market
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Demographics are changing the rules of the game. An ageing society, migration and growing regional disparities raise the question: where will there be a housing shortage, and where a surplus?
- Developers under pressure
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Is regulation holding back construction? New obligations, costs, planning reform and drawn-out procedures are all weighing on the sector. What makes delivering projects hardest today? And will the spatial planning reform bring order to the growth of Polish cities, or make investment more difficult?
- Investment, residents, talent
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Who will design the space – and the future – of Polish cities, and how? Expect creativity, trends and examples, from rebuilt city centres and new districts to spectacular urban projects.
- A second life for heritage buildings
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History that pays its way: revitalisation as a way to create value, attract investors and bring spaces back to life.
Healthcare 10
- Healthcare financing
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Spending is rising and the system is out of financial balance. How can we keep the National Health Fund (NFZ) financially stable and use public money effectively?
- Hospital reform
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Speakers will discuss consolidation (and the role of local government), restructuring and new management models, as well as financing and demographics. The network of facilities needs to be adapted to residents’ real health needs.
- The hospital of the future
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The challenges faced by hospitals include the rise of AI, management and digitalisation, investment in infrastructure, and resilience to crises and cyber threats.
- Artificial intelligence in healthcare
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Artificial intelligence in healthcare: what do facilities, the system and patients really need? We will explore the technology’s potential in management, diagnostics and improving system efficiency, along with responsibility and data security.
- Medical staff
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The focus will be on pay, the availability of medical professionals and changes in medical education.
- Pharmaceutical policy 2027+
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Policy has to strike a balance between innovation, reimbursement and drug security. The session will outline new directions in the state’s pharmaceutical policy – the amended Reimbursement Act introduces new obligations. Pharmaceutical sovereignty will also be on the agenda.
- The healthcare system and security
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How should facilities be prepared and adapted for conflict and extreme events?
- Putting the patient at the centre
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How can we measure the quality of care and pay for outcomes, not just for services? Health economics and health as an investment are also in focus. Speakers will highlight the importance of prevention given an ageing society, treatment costs and the professional activity of Poles. Treatment adherence will also be discussed.
- Health in an ageing society
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Demand for senior, geriatric and long-term care is growing, and a new model of long-term care is needed.
- Poland as a hub for clinical trials and medical innovation
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How competitive is Poland in attracting clinical trials, pharmaceutical investment and the development of new medical technologies? Cooperation between science, business and the public healthcare system is crucial here.
Culture. Media. Communication 9
- Credibility and disinformation
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Disinformation is a business risk. False information about a company can tarnish its reputation, customer relationships and business continuity – and reputation is a company’s key asset. Speakers will share strategies for building trust, countering manipulation and managing reputational crises.
- The CEO as the face of the brand
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Leaders are taking on a new role in corporate communication. How does a CEO’s image affect a company’s reputation and value, and what are the opportunities and risks of a public profile?
- The future of the media
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How are television, the press and online media faring in a world of social platforms, Big Tech and AI? Panellists will explore new business models and the changing role of journalism and the media, as well as the new media law, its impact on the market, and licensing.
- First impressions count… Brand Poland
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How are the country and Polish companies perceived on international markets? And how can we build recognition, credibility and competitiveness for Polish brands?
- Communication that works
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We will present the best campaigns and strategies through case studies in five areas: social campaigns, crisis communication, internal communication, media relations and protection against disinformation.
- Luxury, the Polish way
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Can we create our own luxury sector? It could span everything from furniture and design, fashion, jewellery, cosmetics, cars, real estate, hotels and fine dining to art and craftsmanship.
- The creative industries
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The creative industries are an important part of the economy. This session looks at private capital in culture, and at museums, festivals, concerts and outdoor events as part of the city’s economy.
- Sport and public money
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Local governments and municipal companies fund sports clubs, stadiums and infrastructure. Where is the line between promoting the city in the public interest and commercially supporting professional sport? We will also address the transparency of intentions and spending, and review the regulations on advertising and sponsorship.
- Katowice – Polish Capital of Culture 2027