Enzo Smrekar, a vice president at Atlantic Grupa, the Croatian multinational that also has a significant investment presence in Slovenia, has been elected new president of AmCham Slovenia. His appointment coincides with the 25th anniversary of the chamber.

Smrekar, who also serves as the president of the Ski Association of Slovenia, was appointed at AmCham Slovenia's general assembly on 9 September to succeed Blaž Brodnjak, the CEO of the bank NLB.

In his inaugural address, Smrekar stressed the role of collaboration, saying it was not merely a strategic direction, but the foundation of a successful society. Collaboration fosters innovation and progress, which is essential for Slovenia's development, he said.

The new president of AmCham Slovenia also called for sustainable leadership that gives back to the community. He noted support for the YOUng platform, which is dedicated to developing future leaders.

Smrekar particularly stressed the importance of investing in experienced employees: "In a world where life expectancy is increasing, we must harness the knowledge of older generations and provide them with opportunities for continued growth and contribution to society."

After four years at the helm of the American Chamber of Commerce to Slovenia, Brodnjak finds that AmCham Slovenia has always been "an island of reason in this country". He described Slovenia as a land of hope and despair, arguing that while the country almost always reached its goals it often lost competitive edge in the process.

The assembly coincided with the 25th anniversary of AmCham Slovenia. "From the very beginning, we've had one desire - to improve Slovenia as a place to live and do business in, while being guided by our values along the way," said Ajša Vodnik, director general of AmCham Slovenia and chair of AmChams in Europe.