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This autumn, you will host the third SEE MEET business conference on 10 - 11 October. What is the purpose of the event and why is Maribor such an excellent venue choice?

The basic objective of SEE MEET Slovenia 2018 is to provide a platform to enable companies to make new business connections, improve existing or find new business partners and opportunities. This year, we plan on increasing the number of participants and achieving greater international participation. We have confirmed delegations from Italy, Serbia and Turkey, and we are also conferring with delegations from British, Austrian and Hungarian companies. Naturally, there will be participants from other countries who will register individually. The event will take place in Maribor, a city that boasts a strategic location, efficient logistics infrastructure, a broad industrial base and a dynamic entrepreneurial environment. By organising SEE MEET Slovenia 2018, the Maribor Development Agency aids in strengthening the ties within the Eastern Cohesion Region.

Can you share more about last year's gathering in Maribor?

SEE MEET Slovenia 2017 hosted 104 companies from 10 different countries. Taking part in the event were 134 people who held meetings on behalf of their companies. A total of 1,326 meetings took place over the course of two days, indicating the high level of efficiency of the event. As organisers, we take pride in the fact that participants rated the event as excellent and that 97% of the participants have confirmed their participation in this year's event.

Who are the co-organisers and how do they contribute to the project?

The Maribor Development Agency coordinates seven regions and two sub-regions who come together to implement this project in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia and SPIRIT Slovenia. SEE MEET's other partner organisations include the Murska Sobota Development Center, the Novo Mesto Development Center, the Zasavje Regional Development Agency, the Koroška Regional Development Agency, the Posavje Regional Development Agency and the Regional Development Agency for the Savinja Region.

 

SeeMeet 2017 from The Slovenia Times on Vimeo.

 

You teamed up with Futurallia to organise the event. What is their role and does their involvement in the event reflect significantly in foreign participation?

Futurallia is a French company which specialises in the organisation of B2B events. They organise events with thousands of participants and will ensure quality implementation of SEE MEET Slovenia 2018. With respect to the extensive network of Futurallia's companies, we expect a high international participation.

What kind of companies are you hoping to see at the event this year?

In principle, this is a multi-sector event. The focus of SEE MEET Slovenia 2018 will be on companies from the following sectors: information and communication technology, manufacturing industries (e.g. metalworking and plastics processing), energy efficiency, and other services. This year's conference program will be structured to provide companies with insight into the latest solutions for business process digitalisation. To this end, we are working on bringing internationally acclaimed experts.