Accelerate your global breakthrough with the Slovenian Global Forum
Building a strong ecosystem for new investments and strategic partnerships within the Slovenian economy.
Pre-register and be the first to know when conference registration opens.
Previous speakers at SGF
Meet experts and businesspeople who shared their experiences for international success on our stage.
dr. Jure Leskovec
Professor at Stanford University
Melanie Seier Larsen
Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group
prof. dr. Stjepan Orešković
Entrepreneur, scientist, Founder of the investment company Bosqar Invest, and President of the Supervisory Board of IEDC – Bled School of Management
dr. Urška Starc Peceny
Chief Innovation Officer and Head of Tourism 4.0, ARCTUR
Igor Akrapovič
Owner of Akrapovič Group
dr. Petra Štefanič Anderluh
General Manager Novartis LLC
dr. Jure Knez
President and Co Founder of Dewesoft
Gregor Makuc
Head Corporate Affairs and CEO Sandoz Slovenia
Luka Sinček
CEO Juicy Marbles
Dušan Olaj
Founder and CEO of DUOL d.o.o.
Uroš Mlakar
Founder of Naturalica Foods
dr. Boštjan Pečnik
Hisense Europe Executive Vice-President
dr. Peter Wostner
Editor of the National Productivity Report, Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development
prof. dr. Maks Tajnikar
Professor Emeritus, University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business
dr. Hubert Kosler
President & Managing director, YASKAWA Europe Robotics d.o.o., YASKAWA Slovenija d.o.o
mag. Nina Dremelj
Managing Partner Vesna deep tech VC fund & President Business angels of Slovenia
This year's topic
Slovenia on the global stage
The outstanding achievements of Slovenian athletes are consistently strengthening Slovenia’s visibility on the world map. At this year’s forum, titled Slovenia on the Global Stage, we reveal how Slovenian companies can sharpen their positioning through the visibility of high-profile sporting success.
The global reputation of Slovenian sport is an opportunity for a boost in international markets. Through discussions and meetings, create your winning formula for business success on a global scale.
SGF 2025
The Slovenian Global Forum 2025 focused on the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy through disruptive changes and global opportunities. The event highlighted the strengthening of the Slovenian economy’s global goals and the opportunities for companies to enter foreign markets with new sustainable products. Special emphasis was placed on the integration of artificial intelligence and process automation, which keynote speaker Dr Jure Leskovec from Stanford University presented as the foundation of the digital future.
SGF 2024
At the 2024 conference, we focused on the international expansion of our economy through closer cooperation between companies, economic diplomacy, and business clubs. Keynote speaker Melanie Seier Larsen, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, opened the discussion on how to leverage global megatrends as a driver for innovation and the sustainable transformation of the Slovenian economy.
Special emphasis was placed on finding synergies in strategic directions for a global breakthrough with concrete measures that enable Slovenian entrepreneurship to connect faster and penetrate foreign markets with confidence, as well as on paths for high added value investments in Slovenia.
The mission of the Slovenian Economic Forum is to establish firm ties between businesses, the state, diplomacy, and support institutions.
By combining knowledge and resources, we strengthen the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy and create the conditions for its successful performance in foreign markets.
The conference serves as a central space where we collectively design solutions for greater resilience and the global penetration of our companies. Our vision is to consolidate Slovenia as a recognisable high-tech, innovative, and sustainably oriented hub in the heart of Europe.
Connecting for global growth
Direct access to a network of 42 economic counsellors, 10 business clubs and other institutions.
Last year, we held 162 individual meetings with one goal: to turn a conversation into an opportunity.
The wealth of experience from speakers who know how to translate the discipline of elite sport and the boldness of innovation into a long-term economic advantage.
Sustainability boost
We are setting new milestones with the official Planet Positive Event certificate, achieving a high score of 4.03/5 and using 100% renewable energy.
An ecosystem of opportunities
We bring together top business leaders, experts, academics, policymakers, and diplomatic representatives in one place.
Active network of participants
We connect more than 400 key economic players into a community that opens doors to new partnerships long after the conference concludes.
Meetings that open doors to the world
Prearranged business meetings are designed to achieve tangible results. Instead of spending months searching for the right paths and contacts, we provide you with direct access to 42 economic advisors from Slovenian embassies around the world, 10 business clubs in foreign markets, and representatives of SPIRIT, SPS, SID Banka, GZS and OZS who open doors to new markets in one place.
Slovenian Global forum goes beyond the scope of ordinary networking and creates a highly efficient environment for achieving business goals.
Pre-register and be the first to know when conference registration opens.
Networking with a view
Maribor is once again the venue for the Slovenian Global Forum. With its tradition of world-class sporting events and the oldest vine in the world, the city symbolises success and resilience, which are key foundations for entrepreneurship and penetration into foreign markets. The venue provides an excellent environment for networking and establishing long-term business partnerships.
In accordance with our green commitment, we invite you to choose more eco-friendly modes of transport to attend the forum.
Join forces on the way
By choosing environmentally friendly transport, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also demonstrate that modern entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. We invite you to choose public transport, a bicycle, or arrive on foot. Take advantage of the comfort of the train, which brings you almost to the doorstep of the venue, or opt for a carpool with other participants.
Become part of the green change. Choose a sustainable way to reach the event, say no to plastic, and help us plan for zero waste. Together, we are building an environmentally responsible conference.
