AmCham Slovakia

Europe’s competitiveness debate is often dominated by technology, investment, energy, and regulation. Yet behind each of these priorities stands the same decisive factor: people. 

As companies face demographic decline, talent shortages, rapid technological transformation, and changing expectations of work, the ability to attract, develop, and retain a resilient workforce is becoming a strategic business imperative. The social dimension of ESG is therefore no longer limited to HR policies, compliance, or corporate responsibility. It directly shapes productivity, innovation, trust, and long-term growth. 

The 2026 AmCham Conference will bring together business leaders, policymakers, researchers, and experts to explore competitiveness through the lens of people. The program will examine how artificial intelligence and demographic change are reshaping the workforce, how workplaces influence performance and well-being, how pay transparency can strengthen trust, and how responsible business practices can create lasting value. 

Through expert conversations, practical business examples, and cross-sector perspectives, the conference will open a broader discussion about what companies and policymakers must do today to build a workforce, and an economy, ready for the future. 

AGENDA 

08:30 |  Arrival & Networking Coffee 

09:00 |  Welcome & Opening Remarks 

09:05 |  Opening Session: Competitiveness Is About People 

AmCham Slovakia has long approached competitiveness from multiple perspectives- from regional development and energy to digitalization, healthcare, and the quality of the business environment. This opening session will introduce another essential dimension: the people who ultimately create competitiveness. How are technology, demographic change, workplace expectations, fair working conditions, and responsible business practices transforming the way we think about economic growth? 

09:10 |  Navigating Change in the New World of Work 

Artificial intelligence, changing demographics, and shifting employee expectations are transforming careers, organizations, and entire labour markets. This conversation will explore how businesses and individuals can remain adaptable, relevant, and resilient in an environment where change has become the only constant. 

09:25 |  Building a Resilient Workforce 

Technology can increase productivity, but its impact will ultimately depend on how organizations introduce it, how employees experience it, and whether transformation is built on trust. This panel will examine workforce resilience from technological, ethical, social, and business perspectives. How can companies prepare employees for change rather than leave them behind? What does responsible implementation of AI look like in practice? And how can employers build cultures that support adaptability, inclusion, and long-term performance? 

 9:55 |  The City as a Place to Live, Work and Connect 

The quality of work is shaped not only by what happens inside offices, but also by the wider urban environment around them. This opening perspective will explore how public spaces, mobility, neighbourhoods, and the overall quality of life influence how people experience the city, and, ultimately, where they choose to live and work. How can cities create environments that support well-being, accessibility, and everyday interaction? What role does thoughtful urban planning play in attracting and retaining people? And how is Bratislava working to become a better place to live, work, and connect? 

10:10 |  Deep Dive: The Psychology of the Workplace 

The discussion will then move from the city to the workplace itself. Office design can shape concentration, collaboration, creativity, well-being, and employees’ sense of belonging, yet not every workplace responds equally well to how people actually think and behave. What makes an office worth returning to? How can workplaces support different personalities, tasks, and ways of working? And how can design contribute to better performance, stronger culture, and a healthier employee experience? 

10:30 |  Coffee Break & Networking 

11:00 |  Europe’s Workforce Challenge and the Future of Competitiveness 

Europe’s working-age population is shrinking while businesses continue to face critical talent and skills shortages. This session will connect demographic and labour-market trends with their implications for investment, productivity, and economic growth. Representatives of European institutions, experts, and business leaders will discuss what Europe must do to strengthen labour-market participation, develop skills, and create conditions in which people and companies can thrive. 

 11:30 |  Equal Pay, Clear Rules, and Employee Trust 

Slovakia has already adopted new pay transparency legislation, with the rules set to apply from summer 2026. Building on AmCham Slovakia’s earlier discussion, this panel will examine how employers and public institutions have progressed from legal preparation to practical implementation. Are companies ready for the new requirements? How are they reviewing pay structures, addressing unjustified gaps, and communicating remuneration decisions? And can greater transparency strengthen trust and workplace culture beyond compliance? 

 12:00 |  From Purpose to Practice: Rethinking What Responsible Business Looks Like 

Responsible business goes beyond reporting and compliance. It is reflected in how companies treat their employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the wider environment in which they operate. How can responsibility be embedded into everyday decisions and business models? What can companies learn from B Corp and other practical approaches? And how can responsible practices strengthen trust, employee engagement, resilience, and long-term competitiveness? 

 12:30 |  The Human Side of Performance: A Conversation with Adriana Kučerová

A career on the world’s leading stages requires far more than talent. It demands discipline, adaptability, emotional resilience, and the ability to perform under constant pressure and scrutiny. In this personal conversation, acclaimed soprano Adriana Kučerová will reflect on the realities behind artistic excellence: navigating uncertainty, responding to rejection, working closely with others, managing expectations, and remaining authentic and relevant in a constantly changing environment.

13:00 |  Concluding Remarks 

The Conference will be moderated by: 

Language: Slovak

Please note that the conference will also feature two workshops on Equal Pay and Stress Coping Strategies which require separate registration.

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SPEAKERS BIOS:

Mária Bieliková - Maria is a leading Slovak expert on artificial intelligence. A former dean at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, she later co-founded and currently leads the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies (KInIT), a research institute that attracts and develops AI talent to connect ideas, people and institutions across academia, industry and society. Maria is active in discussions on trustworthy AI. She is a former member of the Board of Governors of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and the High Level Expert Group on AI. 

Adriana Kučerová - Slovak soprano Adriana Kučerová has captivated audiences worldwide with her radiant voice, compelling stage presence, and natural charisma. She has performed at many of the world’s leading opera houses, including Teatro alla Scala, Opéra national de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Teatro Colón, and the Slovak National Theatre. Her repertoire spans major lyric and coloratura roles, including Adina, Gilda, Norina, Susanna, Violetta Valéry, Rosina, and the title role in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, for which she has received wide critical acclaim. She has also appeared at renowned festivals and concert venues such as the Salzburg Festival, BBC Proms, Glyndebourne, Prague Spring, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, collaborating with distinguished conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel, Juraj Valčuha, Vladimir Jurowski, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. A winner of the 2005 Hans Gabor Belvedere International Singing Competition, Kučerová achieved her international breakthrough at the 2006 Salzburg Festival. She studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Lyon and remains one of the most sought-after Slovak sopranos of her generation.

Pavlína Louženská - Pavlína founded TrendBrews, trend forecasting consulting focused on CEE with clients like IKEA, Adidas or Raiffeisen Bank. She is a Lead Mentor in Google for Startups for Europe, Middle East and Africa and various other accelerators. She co-founded and successfully exited #HolkyzMarketingu and #HolkyzByznysu, educational platforms that have trained 25,000+ people. She sits on Supervisory boards of various NGOs, universities and tech startups - from Nadace Independent Press, Plant for the Planet to Nekrachni. She regularly sends a newsletter on society and technology pavlinaspeaks.substack.com to 13 000+ subscribers and is among top50 Business Substacks globally. She regularly publishes in outlets like Wired or Elle. She is a sought-after keynote speaker with features on TED and more. She's an alumni of Aspen Institute Young Leaders Program, YTILI, and CGYPP fellowships. She was given numerous awards - including The European Citizen's Prize that is awarded by the European Parliament.

Petra Marko - Petra is an architect and placemaking expert who focuses on shaping and promoting people-oriented cities and public spaces. She is Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB), an organisation spearheading strategic tools in architecture, urban planning and participatory placemaking for the City of Bratislava, with the aim to increase quality of life for its citizens and address global challenges the city faces. Prior to her role at MIB Petra co-founded and ran a London-based placemaking practice active across public spaces design, town centres regeneration and masterplanning in the UK and Cenral Europe. She led the research and campaign for unlocking London’s small sites, sat on UK’s National Infrastructure Commission and taught as design tutor at The London School of Architecture. Petra champions greener cities as active commuter cyclist and is a regular speaker at international forums. She co-authored VeloCity, a strategic vision for the future of the countryside and Meanwhile City, a guide on best practice for temporary interventions. Petra grew up in Bratislava, trained as an architect and creative entrepreneur in Vienna and London, and returned to her home city after 20 years abroad to help make positive change for people and their environment.

Michal Matloň - Michal is an architectural psychologist and space strategist dedicated to creating environments that foster human flourishing and meaningful work, from offices to entire neighborhoods. With experience at a strategic consulting firm in Vienna and one of Europe’s largest office developers, he combines practical expertise with a passion for advancing the field. In the past, Michal co-founded the Venetian Letter, a newsletter that explored human-centered, science-based approaches to architecture and urbanism.

Anna Porubcová - Anna has 12 years of experience in the retail sector. She began her professional journey at Martinus Bookstore as a Marketing Specialist and later shifted her focus to sustainability and measuring the impact of business on people and the planet. She played a key role in Martinus’ B Corp certification process, leading the project from its initial preparation to successful certification. Anna has completed official training to provide consulting services in line with the new B Corp standards and is now open to supporting organizations on their journey toward more responsible business practices. She is continuously exploring ways to connect business success with a positive impact on people and the planet.

Dušan Ševela - Dušan Ševela is a Slovak authorized architect who has designed and contributed to dozens of buildings both domestically and internationally. He began his architectural career at the Faculty of Architecture in Bratislava, later studying in the Czech Republic and Finland. He enriched his experience in Andrea Klimko's studio and later in the FUKSAS studio in Rome. There, he worked on projects worldwide in various scales, from private villas, hippodrome, shopping center to airports. His work experience led him to development, where, as Head of Design Development at Penta Real Estate collaborated on nu-merous projects in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Some of the major projects include Skypark, the New Generation Hospital, Jurkovičova tepláreň, Masaryčka, Nuselský Pivovar or the Bory zone. He currently holds the positionof Head of Design Development at ALTO Real Estate, where he leads the department overseeing urbanism, architecture, and project design. He works on projects with architects such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Mecanoo or Benthem Crouwel.