Key-Note-Speaker: Leszek Balcerowicz, Warsaw School of Economics

• Zoltan Bakay, Erste Group - “Reflection on CEE countries‘ journey to prosperity“

• Anton Pelinka, Central European University - "1990 - Return to Europe or Joining a New Europe?"

• Max Kindler, RailCargo - “Chinese Presence & Investments in the Region & it´s Consequences?”

• Panel-Discussion - Moderation: Phillip C. Nell

This panel focuses on the responses of firms to the current national vs. global debate. How do multinational firms balance the national vs. the global forces? Do they reconfigure their business models? Have firms become more local in their offerings and communication? How local are e-commerce and social media?

• Péter Szoboslay, Hammer-Agency - streamline - “An International Business Model providing National Communication.”

• Petr Krayzel - „What is the Status Quo & Outlook on E-Commerce in CEE & the Czech Republic especially?“

• Birgit Rechberger-Krammer, Henkel - CEE - “One Product, One Brand, One World. How regional can brands still be?”

• Panel-Discussion - Moderation: Manfred Berger

Currently, Central European countries are experiencing the fastest economic growth and the lowest unemployment in the last decade. Firms are desperately looking for skilled labor. How do firms win this war for skilled labor and talents? How do they bring employees up to the required qualification levels? What are the consequences for operations and investments in CEE?

• Arnold Schuh, WU - “Human resources as key to growth in CEE.”

• Günther Tengl, Amrop-Jenewein - „Winning Talents in turbulent times Plug & Play Executives vs. Local Heroes“

• Oktay Erciyaz, Trenkwalder - “HR Dynamics in CEE Countries - Employment Beyond Borders”

•  Melina Schneider, WKO, Head of Taskforce Internationalization of VET - “Austria´s Dual Education as a role model for CEE?”

• Panel-Discussion - Moderation: Arnold Schuh

This panel focuses on the responses of firms to the current national vs. global debate. How do multinational firms balance the national vs. the global forces? Do they reconfigure their business models? Have firms become more local in their offerings and communication? How local are e-commerce and social media?