Do you ever wonder just who the top influencers in the Central and South East Europe Meetings Industry are? As the industry rapidly evolves, it’s clear that some key influencers have the same reach and draw as big companies. Individuals matter in a way that has never been possible before.
The Editorial Board of Kongres Magazine has once again assessed more than 60 influencers in Central and South East Europe after reviewing highlights from the Meetings industry in 2015 and has based their assessment on several key criteria, such as:
• Achievement of the best financial and other multiplier effects of the meetings industry in 2015, (significantly deviating from the average);
• Implementation of the most demanding improvements and innovations in their field, which also includes successfully implemented projects that have defined the year 2015;
• Help in enhancing the reputation and visibility of the meetings industry in 2015;
• Innovations that facilitate the work of meetings organisers, or in their way have pointed the direction of the industry in the future.
Based on 260 completed surveys, Kongres magazine has analysed and shortlisted the TOP 45 most influential people in Central and South East Europe in 2015. They have all contributed to the development of the region and our readers have chosen the best of the best. We have also added 2 newcomers in each category, voted by our readers.
The candidates were divided into 5 categories:
TOP MEETING INNOVATORS
Dani POLAJNAR, Teambuilding Academy
Dani has more than 15 years of experience in training, coaching and conferences or events moderation. He is a founder and CEO of Teambuilding Academy – a company dedicated to developing team work in organisations through interactive workshops, active teambuilding programmes, personalised solutions and modern teambuilding events throughout Europe. Dani is a frequent guest speaker and moderator at different conferences and seminars. In 2009 he was awarded among The Best 10 Lecturer within the Slovenian market.
Aleksandra UHERNIK ĐURĐEK, HelmsBriscoe
She is a meeting and motivational event professional based in Croatia and for whom business meetings, educational programmes, conferences, congresses and motivational events are her profession and have been her everyday life for more than fifteen years. Aleksandra holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Zagreb with a specialisation in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
Davor BRUKETA, Bruketa & Žinić
Davor Bruketa is the co-owner and Creative Director of Bruketa&Žinić OM advertising agency, one of the top twenty leading independent agencies in the world, according to Campaign magazine (London, 2014), “Small Agency of the Year, International” according to AdAge magazine (Portland, 2013), Second Most Efficient Independent Advertising Agency Globally according to Effie Index (Cannes, 2012) and among the best 200 packaging designers globally (Lürzer’s Archive, Vienna, 2015). Bruketa is a permanent member of the New York Cresta Awards jury and he was also a jury member of the Art Directors Club New York, D&AD London, NY Festivals, Graphis and in 2008 he was the first jury president of the London International Awards to come from Southeastern Europe.
Anže ČOKL, Bohinj Park Eko Hotel
Well before finishing his studies Anže was in the business world, first of all with a friend, together with whom they bought and took leadership of a publishing company only to sell it years later and invest in IT. Then in 2008 Anže started a position as a Project Manager in an Engineering Investment Company, where he gained his professional experience as an engineer of energy efficient buildings. The following year saw him become CEO of the most technologically advanced hotel complex in Slovenia and in 2012 he became managing partner of an investment consulting company, dedicating his free time being to his passion of capturing images and motion pictures in the mountains.
Jovan JELOVAC, Belgrade Design Week
A perfectionist, obsessed with the idea of establishing a regional creative hub, the Belgrade Design Week has in global terms become an event without precedent. His work is characterised by an understanding of the creative industries and their importance to the revitalisation of society. This has brought about a changed perception of Belgrade, which Jovan has achieved over a number of years. At the same time the annual event remains a surprise in terms of the innovation in its organisation.
Danica PURG, IEDC – Bled School of Management
Professor Danica Purg is the President of the IEDC-Bled School of Management, Slovenia, and the President of CEEMAN, the association of 219 management development institutions from 54 countries, established with the aim to enhance management development in Central and Eastern Europe. She is also leading the European Leadership Centre (ELC). In January 2015, the Slovene Managers Association conferred upon her a Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of Management. A special chapter about her leadership journey was recently published in “Women and Leadership Around the World”, by Information Age Publishing, USA, authored by Susan Madsen.
Tomo RICOV, Pepermint
The Weekend Media Festival has completely changed the face of marketing festivals of the region and in terms of the number of participants as well as the quality of content it became something of an institution in a very short time. Each year it gathers some 4,000 participants, among whom are all the key players in the field of the communications industries.
Danijela BREČKO, GV Educations
Dr. Danijela Brečko is the director of Planet GV and a pioneer in the exploration of personal energy. In 2006, in collaboration with the Institute St. Gallen, she has developed the concept of ‘energy organisation’, which on the basis of a number of quantitative and qualitative surveys was upgraded to the concept of ‘personal energy’ in 2011.
Zmago NOVAK, Mesec oblikovanja
For 15 years Zmago Novak has been operating as an entrepreneur. He is the founder and director of Big Institute (2003) and the founding father of the magazines Hiše and Kontrast. He is a pioneer and director of Month of Design. With his concept and ideas very important persons from the world of creative industries get attracted to Slovenia.
Žiga NOVAK, Orehov Gaj
Žiga Novak is an entrepreneur, lecturer, innovator and business consultant with more than 15 years of international work experience, primarily in the meeting industry. Since 2013 he has been focusing on running his own event venue – The Walnut Grove, a unique and sustainable meeting place in Ljubljana, Slovenia – as well as their in-house creative agency The Team Building Lab. Žiga is the biggest regional promoter of gamification in events and tourism – the notion that the mechanics of play is the best possible link between stories (based on heritage, business interests, teaching goals etc) and extraordinary experiences that the meeting (and education) industry needs to create for its ever more demanding customers.
Newcomers in 2015, voted by readers
Marko GUČEK, GO.OPTI
Marko Guček is the CEO and cofounder of TM Vista d.o.o. The company offers low cost transport between cities and airports under the brand GoOpti. GoOpti uses an innovative online booking system, pricing policies and optimization of transports. Marko is mostly involved in development, marketing and strategic management. He is also a co-founder of two successful companies in the field of tourism: Centre for business travels TM Potovanja d.o.o. which operates under the UNIGLOBE franchise; and Socinet d.o.o., a web application LinkedAge that offers retirement homes additional revenue by renting unused capacities.
Morena MILEVOJ, Istria Inspirit
Morena is a marketing & PR expert, food lover and travel aficionada. Her many years of experience in marketing and communications in the tourism sector enable her to promote Inspirit in the best way possible. She is also a fashion blogger and visual art fan.
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