AmCham Slovakia

In a time of accelerating digitalization, growing energy demand, and increasing pressure on energy security and sustainability, the future of energy has become a defining factor of economic competitiveness. Energy for Business Conference 2026, organized by AmCham Slovakia, brings together policymakers, energy leaders, SMR and technology companies, financial institutions, and innovators to explore how energy systems can support sustainable growth, digital transformation, and long-term resilience of the Slovak economy.

The conference will focus on the strategic intersection of energy, technology, and competitiveness, addressing key questions around secure and sustainable energy supply, the role of nuclear energy, the energy needs of high-performance computing and digital infrastructure, and the financing of future-proof energy solutions. By connecting public and private sector perspectives with international best practices, the event aims to foster informed dialogue and practical insights for decision-makers shaping Slovakia’s energy future.

Whether you represent government, industry, finance, research, or the technology sector, Energy for Business Conference 2026 offers a unique platform to engage with key stakeholders, exchange perspectives, and contribute to shaping an energy ecosystem that enables innovation, investment, and sustainable business.

AGENDA

8:30 | Registration and Networking

9:00 | Welcome Word

9:10 | Key Note

9:20 | Energy Foundations of a Competitive Economy

This panel will explore the role of nuclear energy and other stable sources as pillars of sustainability, security, and industrial growth, with a focus on long-term energy planning in Slovakia and Europe.

10:05 | In Conversation: Global Nuclear & Infrastructure Strategy

10:20 | Fireside Chat 

10:30 | Coffee Break

11:00 | Powering the Digital Economy

High-performance computing, data centers, AI, and advanced digital services are rapidly increasing energy demand. This session will examine how energy systems can support the growth of the digital economy while remaining sustainable and efficient.

11:40 | Energy and Digital Infrastructure: Securing Financing for a Resilient Future

12:20 | Blackout Readiness: Preparing Business for Energy Disruptions

Energy systems are becoming more complex and vulnerable to shocks - from extreme weather to cyber threats and infrastructure failures. This discussion will explore what a large-scale power outage means for businesses, how companies can strengthen their resilience, and what practical steps can help prepare for crisis situations.

13:00 | Lunch

Event is moderated by:

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SPEAKERS BIOs

Kamil Blažek - He is an energy and infrastructure partner with the international law firm Kinstellar. He leads the firm-wide Infrastructure & Transportation sector and Czech energy practice. He is a Czech-qualified corporate, commercial, and regulatory lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Central and Eastern Europe. He specialises in M&A and project development in energy (including renewables, nuclear, district heating and gas) and infrastructure (transportation, waste, water, digital etc.) sectors, public regulation, international investment, and construction. He is also the Chairman (Honorary) of the Czech Association for Foreign Investment and a member of the International Bar Association (Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Law section). Kamil speaks Czech, English, German and Russian.

Petr Brzezina - Petr Brzezina is President for the Czech Republic and Slovakia at Westinghouse Electric Company, where he leads strategic efforts to expand the adoption of Westinghouse’s AP1000® nuclear technology across the region. In this role, he is responsible for high-level engagement with government, industry, and key stakeholders in support of the Czech Republic’s and Slovakia’s long-term energy and energy security goals. A seasoned senior executive, Petr Brzezina brings extensive CEO and top-management experience from major international companies. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles at Škoda Transportation, Alstom, OHL ŽS, General Electric, and ABB, operating in highly complex, multinational environments. His professional background spans the energy, nuclear, construction, engineering, and transportation sectors, with a strong focus on leading large-scale infrastructure and energy projects. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Petr Brzezina was named one of Forbes Czech Republic’s CEOs of the Year in 2021.

Juraj Caránek - Juraj Caránek has been working at Seesame since 2001 and currently serves as Head of Corporate Team & Partner. He is an experienced public relations professional specializing in corporate communication, reputation management, and strategic communication for major companies and institutions.

Slavomír Cyprich - Slavomír has more than 20 years of experience in Corporate Banking, Insurance, and Risk Management across Central and Eastern Europe. He is Head of Client Relationship Czech Republic & Slovakia at Howden M&A, focusing on insurance solutions for M&A transactions. He holds an MBA from WU Executive Academy and the Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota) and is known for his practical, solutions-oriented approach.

Gabriel Galgóci - Mr. Galgóci is the Director of the Supercomputing Centre, Commercial Director at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), where he focuses on the development of high-performance computing, research collaboration, and innovation in advanced computing and artificial intelligence. Most recently, he served as an advisor to the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at AT&T, where he was responsible for service delivery and operations across the EMEA region and also served as Slovakia Country General Manager. Before AT&T, he worked at IBM and DHL. In the past, he served as President of AmCham Slovakia and held leadership positions in the Business Service Center Forum (BSCF) and AISlovakIA, a national platform dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence in Slovakia. 

Eddie M. Guerra, P.E., is Senior Vice President of Civil Infrastructure Development at RIZZO International where he leads the firm’s strategic global project pursuits. Mr. Guerra is a licensed civil engineer with over 15 years of leadership and management experience in civil and energy infrastructure projects across the globe. Mr. Guerra’s project experience involves high-profile projects including the design of large light water nuclear reactors, the seismic risk assessment of nuclear plants, the design certification of the first Small Modular Reactor in the U.S. and the first U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored feasibility study of advanced reactors in Island territories. Mr. Guerra has consulted on U.S. federal and state level policy and legislation on matters of critical infrastructure and national energy security. Mr. Guerra served in the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC) which advice the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on the Competitiveness of the U.S. nuclear industry. Mr. Guerra has contributed to committees and standards of the American Nuclear Society, American Society of Civil Engineers and publications for the International Atomic Energy Agency. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Lehigh University.

Daniel Mayer - He is the founder and owner of EUFC Holding, successfully leading the company for over 20 years. He specializes in project management and implementation of large-scale development and investment projects in the energy sector, with a focus on sustainable and innovative solutions. He has expertise in project planning, execution, commissioning, and financing, including experience with regulatory frameworks, technical standards, economic aspects, and international financial institutions. Daniel has a unique expertise in structuring industrial subsidies from public EU sources or state funds with private resources for projects of the most prominent companies in the manufacturing, energy, transport, R&D and Innovation sectors.

Martin Maštalír - Following his longstanding career as an esteemed Sales and Marketing professional,  Martin now leads Dell’s business in Slovakia. His main areas of expertise throughout his 25 years in the industry are sales and marketing strategy, people management, business development with strong focus on delivering results. He has been involved with sales and marketing projects, both local and international, where he introduced easy to use products and solutions that customers are delighted to use in their everyday life.  Outside business there is, in his words, also valuable life, where he tries to be active and help his community with voluntary activities believing that if every one of us does at least something small, all of us together can make great things happen.

Miloš Nagy - Mr. Nagy currently serves as Director of the Asset Management Division at Západoslovenská distribučná. He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, specializing in Power Engineering – Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Energy, and has spent his entire professional career in the electricity sector. He started his career as a testing technician for digital protection systems and has been working within the ZSE Group since 2009.

Erik Neupaver - Erik Neupaver is a Senior Associate at Kinstellar in Bratislava, where he leads the firm’s local Energy & Natural Resources practice. He advises major energy-sector clients across the CEE region on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters. With more than ten years of experience, Erik has supported clients on significant transactions, regulatory compliance issues, and the negotiation of long term and short term energy trading arrangements. His work also covers the development, construction, and operation of key energy infrastructure projects. Erik has substantial experience in renewable and alternative energy matters, assisting clients in navigating evolving regulations and advancing energy transition initiatives.

Peter Novák - Peter, a digital transformation expert with 25+ years in banking and telecom, has led major Data Centre projects, banking migrations, M&A integrations, and digital transformations. He now advises on quantum computing and LLM projects.

Barbora Paulovič Deckerová - As General Manager for Microsoft’s Central Europe and Central Asia regions, Barbora Paulovič Deckerová leads sales and operations across 16 countries. She collaborates closely with governments, enterprises, and the broader tech ecosystem to drive inclusive digital transformation, promoting responsible AI, and ensuring innovation aligns with local priorities and regulatory framework. Barbora brings over two decades of leadership experience in the technology sector, having held senior roles at both Microsoft and IBM. At Microsoft, she previously managed the Partner Ecosystem for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, which included over 65,000 partners in 105+ countries. She focused on AI-driven growth, strategic partnerships, and advancing ambitious digital transformation agendas specifically in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, aligning with national security and AI priorities by leading partner selection, planning, and execution in alignment with ministerial priorities. Before joining Microsoft, Barbora held several executive positions at IBM, including Vice President of Automation for Northern, Central & Eastern Europe and Vice President of Business Partner Sales. She led one of IBM’s largest go-to-market transformations, fostering a partner-first mindset and was instrumental in IBM’s globalization, by relocating multiple brand missions to Delivery centers, managing teams of up to 3,000 employees. She later drove IBM's shift to an agile, client-centric model setting up for an internal digital journey and helped position IBM as a leader in digital transformation. Her expertise spans business and sales management, consultancy, marketing, cloud technologies, and enterprise operations. Barbora’s leadership style is rooted in discipline, resilience, and continuous learning—values shaped by her early career as an NCAA Division I and professional basketball player. She holds degrees in Psychology and an MBA in Transformational Management and is a recognized advocate for women in technology. Known for her visionary leadership and collaborative approach, Barbora represents a new generation of leaders focused on building a sustainable, inclusive, and AI-powered future. Barbora is married with two sons and is committed to her extended family. If not working, you will find her trekking, running, climbing, skiing, and ski-touring in the mountains, which she considers her second home. She regularly plans expeditions and extreme sports experiences to challenge herself and best friends.

Radovan Potočár - Radovan is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Administration at Masaryk University in Brno and the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague. Since 2015 he has worked as an editor, and since 2020 as Editor-in-Chief, of the online platforms Energie-portal.sk, Odpady-portal.sk, and Voda-portal.sk. He is involved in the preparation of analyses in the fields of energy and waste management for the private and non-governmental sectors.

Denisa Saková - Denisa Saková studied at the Gymnasium of Eugen Guderna in Nitra. She continued her studies at the Faculty of national Economy of the University of Economics in Bratislava, where she also obtained her doctoral degree. During her studies, she began working as a consultant at DELTA E. S., a. s. Subsequently, from 2001 to 2003, she worked for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young GmbH in Berlin as a senior consultant. From 2003 to 2007, she worked for E.ON IT Slovakia, s. r. o. as the Director of the Applications Division. In 2007, she transitioned from the private sector to the public sector, where she worked at the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic until 2010 as the General Director of the Informatics, Telecommunications, and Security Section. She returned to the Ministry of Interior in 2012, initially as the Head of the Service Office, and from 2016, she served as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. In 2018, she was appointed as the Minister of the Interior, becoming the first woman in the department´s history to hold this position. She served also as a member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic from 2020 to 2023.

Milos Stefanovic - With 25+ years of experience in corporate banking and finance, Milos is heading the Public Sector Banking for EMEA at Citi since November 2024, based in London. Having joined Citi in 2000, Milos has covered natural resources industries for almost 20 years, providing senior industry support and coverage for the EMEA region (structuring, negotiating, diligence and execution of large scale transactions based on critical assessment of client’s business and acquisition plans, as well as industry trends) across Power, Renewables, Oil & Gas, Commodities and new technologies. Milos holds an MBA from INSEAD, a PhD and a BEng in Engineering from the University of Surrey.

Tomáš Taraba - Mr. Taraba holds academic degrees as Ing. and Mgr. from the University of Economics in Regensburg and the Philosophical Faculty at Comenius University in Bratislava. He started his career with internships at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Paris and European Studies in Maastricht. He then worked at DELL as a representative for the German and Austrian markets. In 2004, he joined SARIO, the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency, heading the Strategic Foreign Investment team for projects like Samsung, Sony, and T-Systems. After a stint in the private sector with entrepreneurship, Taraba became the Chairman of KDZP, now LIFE-NATIONAL PARTY, in 2020. He was then elected to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

Martin Venhart - Mgr. Martin Venhart, DrSc. is a Slovak nuclear physicist and since June 2025 the President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS). A graduate of Comenius University in Bratislava, he completed a PhD in experimental nuclear physics and worked as a postdoc at KU Leuven. At the SAS Institute of Physics, where he later led the Department of Nuclear Physics, he initiated Slovakia’s first experiment at CERN’s ISOLDE facility and built the TATRA spectrometer. His research focuses on the shape and structure of atomic nuclei, and in 2024 he received the ESET Science Award. Venhart has been active in SAS leadership since 2017 and is a strong advocate of strengthening the role of science and research in Slovak society.

Andrej Žiarovský - Ing. Andrej Žiarovský, MBA is a Slovak mechanical engineer and expert in thermal and nuclear energy. He serves as Director for Strategic Development and International Projects at VUJE Trnava, where he focuses on strategic initiatives, international cooperation, and nuclear energy projects. During his career, he has held various technical and managerial positions in energy companies in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. In addition to his work in the energy sector, he is also a publicist specializing in military and naval history.