17.09.24 @Innovation Forum John Atanasoff, Sofia Tech Park (Vol. 1)

Shaping the Future
of Sustainable Events

Welcome to
The Event for Events

Join us for a pilot one-day event designed to elevate the event industry in Bulgaria. Organized and hosted by Sofia Tech Park, EVENT PRO FORUM 2024 brings together top professionals from all sectors to exchange knowledge, foster connections, and promote sustainable practices.

Watch Live

Why Attend?

The event industry is rapidly evolving, demanding greater collaboration and innovative solutions. As technology advances and industry practices shift, collective efforts become essential for success. While environmental concerns are growing, adopting sustainable practices is increasingly important.

What to Expect?

300+ Attendees:
Network with industry professionals and enthusiasts.
10+ Exhibitors:
Discover the latest solutions from leading companies.
20+ Speakers:
Gain insights from local and international experts.
Environmentally Friendly:
Enjoy a plastic-free, sustainable event.

Zones

Experiential Zone:
Interactive booths showcasing top industry solutions.
Knowledge Zone:
Sessions dedicated to knowledge exchange and inspiration.
Meet & Greet Zone:
Opportunities for networking and relaxing with peers.

Knowledge
Zone

Speakers

Alexandar Penkin

CEO @STREAMER.BG

Andrey Lilov

CEO @URBO Studio

Boyko Takov

Executive Director @ Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency

Desislava Boshnakova

PhD, senior assistant professor of International Activities and Public Relations
@New Bulgarian University

Diana Petrova

Senior Account Executive @United Partners

Dilyana Maneva

CSR and Communications Manager
@For Our Children Foundation

Etien Yanev

Trainer in digital marketing, AI & personal branding

Evgeni Momchilov

Manager @Right Rental

Gorazd Cad

Co-Founder @CONVENTA

Jivko Yordanov

Design & Motion & Co-Founder @Those Things

Hristo Petkov

Business Director @Next DC

Ivan Yotov

Ceo @Fragment

Kosta Karakashyan

Director & Producer @Studio Karakashyan

Lyudmil Dachev

Creative Director & Co-Founder @Those Things

Maja Bosanac Domijan

Owner & EEE Event Manager @Eventful.hr

Marina Vrechkovа

Assistant Director of Sales @Hilton

Monika Balcheva

Creative Lead, Event & Experience Producer

Nikola Kerekov

Author @Ratio

Peter Dimitrov

Director @A to Jazz Festival

Plamen Bosev

CEO @ProTechnica Event

Polya Koleva

Project Coordinator @UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria

Preslav Bobev

CEO @IMG Connect

Silvia Rangelova

Executive Director @Red Devil Catering

Stefan Elenkov

Founder and CEO @Fest Team

Stephanie Velichkova

Event Manager @Sofia Tech Park

Stoycho Banenski

Mayor of Bansko Municipality

Todor Mladenov

Executive Director @Sofia Tech Park

Tsvetelina Grozdanova

Business Development Manager @Launchee

Vanessa Steinmann

FMX Sales & Marketing Manager

Veselin Dimov

Director @Toplocentrala

Viktor Tanev

Event Manager @Sofia Tech Park

Violeta Vasileva

Immersive Experiences @Mimic Productions

Vladislav Iliev

Founder @Studio Phormatik &
Co-Founder @Videnie

Vladislav Vankov

Co-Founder @Club DOM

Conference Agenda

Moderator: Pavel Vladimirov
Forum Host & Script Writer @BNT

9:00-10:00
Coffee & Networking

10:00-10:30
Part 1: Shaping the Future of Bulgaria's Event Industry

Moderators: Viktor Tanev & Stephanie Velichkova, Event Managers @Sofia Tech Park

  • Pavlin Petrov, Deputy Minister of Tourism
  • Boyko Takov, Executive Director @Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency
  • Todor Mladenov, Executive Director @Sofia Tech Park
  • Elka Obetsanova, Chief expert at Bansko Municipality

10:30-11:00
Part 2: Mapping Bulgaria's Event Landscape

Moderator: Monika Balcheva,
Creative Lead, Event and Experience Producer

  • Veselin Dimov, Director @Toplocentrala
  • Plamen Bosev, CEO @Protechnica Event
  • Diana Stoyanova, Marketing Expert @Matti

11:00-11:30
Part 3: The Art of Turning Concepts into Experiences

Moderator: Pavel Vladimirov, Host @Event Pro Forum

  • Desislava Boshnakova, PhD, Professor of Public Relations and Special Events, @New Bulgarian University, podcaster, publisher, author, organizer of TEDxSofia
  • Silvia Rangelova, Executive Director @Red Devil Catering
  • Hristo Petkov, Business Director @Next DC

11:30-12:00
Part 4: Beyond Logistics: Navigating the Complexities of Large-Scale Event Management

Moderator: Pavel Vladimirov, Host @Event Pro Forum

  • Vanessa Steinmann, Program Manager Sales & Marketing @FMX Conference
  • Stefan Elenkov, Founder and CEO @Fest Team

12:00-13:30
Lunch & Networking

13:30-14:10
Part 5: How to Sell Your Event: Strategies for Attracting New Audiences and Sponsorships

Moderator: Dessislava Marinova, Communications Manager @Eventex Awards

  • Preslav Bobev, CEO @IMG Connect
  • Andrey Lilov, CEO @URBO Studio
  • Diana Petrova – Account Executive @United Partners

14:10-14:30
Part 6: The Crucial Role of Branding and Visual Identity in Events—Key Insights, Dos, and Don'ts!

Moderator: Stephanie Velichkova, Event Manager @Sofia Tech Park

  • Lyudmil Dachev, Creative Director & Co-Founder @Those Things Studio
  • Jivko Yordanov, Design & Motion & Co-Founder  @Those Things Studio

14:30-14:50
Part 7: AI for marketing your event

  • Etien Yanev, Fullstack Marketing Expert

14:50-15:10
Part 8: Digital Media & Immersive Experiences - The New Kids in Town

Moderator: Violeta Vasileva, PhD, Immersive Experiences @Mimic Productions

  • Vladislav Iliev, Founder @Studio Phormatik
  • Kosta Karakashyan, Director & Producer @Studio Karakashyan

15:10-15:30
Sustainability Challenge & Coffee Break: Break the Ice, Win the Prize!

15:30-16:00
Part 9: AND THE WHEEL BEND, AND THE STORY END

Why event planners no longer believe fairytales about sustainable event organization from January 1st onwards

  • Gorazd Cad, Co-Founder @CONVENTA

16:00-16:40
Part 10: Is Your Event Sustainable?

Moderator: Polya Koleva, Project Coordinator @UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria

  • Marina Vrechkovа, Assistant Director of Sales @Hilton Sofia
  • Peter Dimitrov, Director @A to Jazz Festival
  • Maja Bosanac Domijan, Owner & EEE Event Manager @Eventful.hr

16:40-17:20
Part 11: Event Organizers' Top 5 Secrets to Success

Moderator: Ivan Yotov, Ceo @Fragment

  • Vladimir Vankov, Co-Founder @Club DOM
  • Nikola Kerekov, Author @Ratio
  • Dilyana Maneva, CSR and Communications Manager @For Our Children Foundation
  • Tsvetelina Grozdanova, Business Development Manager @Launchee
  • Alexandar Penkin, CEO @STREAMER.BG

17:30-20:00
Cocktails & Networking

Note: Networking opportunities are available throughout the event in the Meet & Greet Zone.

Clubhouse Live Studio Agenda

Moderator: Pavel Vladimirov
Forum Host & Script Writer @BNT

12:00-13:30
Part 1: Sustainability Insights

Facebook & Instagram livestream
Moderator: Rada Boneva, Eco Blogger & Podcaster @Thrift Sheep

  • Simona Stilyanova, Co-Founder & Managing Partner @Osnova
  • Polya Koleva, Project Coordinator @UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria
  • Gorazd Čad, Co-Founder @CONVENTA
  • Polya Koleva, Project Coordinator @UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria
  • Eleonora Yosifova, Campaigner @Environmental Association Za Zemiata
  • Marina Stefanova, PhD, Vice Dean Sustainability Empowerment and Engagement @FEBA, Sofia University
  • Maja Bosanac Domijan, Owner & EEE Event Manager @Eventful.hr

15:00-16:00
Part 2: Еvent Hacks

Facebook & Instagram livestream
Moderator: TBC

  • Marina Grigorova, Founder @My Event Academy
  • Ralitsa Ivanova, Manager @Event Plus Academy
  • Plamen Bosev, CEO @ProTechnica Event
  • Representative of Event WiFi

Experiential
Zone

Exhibitors

Showcase Your Innovations

Exhibit your innovative products and services in our recyclable cardboard pavilions, embodying the principles of sustainability. Engage with leading industry experts, attract new customers, and connect with key players in the event industry. This is a pivotal opportunity for forward-thinking companies with sustainable and innovative solutions to demonstrate their commitment to eco-friendly practices and shape the future of Bulgaria's event industry.

Meet&Greet
Zone

Networking
& Fun

A dedicated area where partners and guests can engage in inspiring conversations and exchange contacts and ideas beyond the conference topics.
Connect, collaborate, and network in an environment designed to foster meaningful interactions.

Partners

Get Involved аs Our Partner

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking event that is set to redefine the event industry in Bulgaria.

Participants

The Venue

A Bridge between Scientific and Business Communities

John Atanasoff Innovation Forum is a convention center that hosts more than 80 events and over 100 000 people annually for events, thematically related to the main focus areas of Sofia Tech Park.

  • A keystone location in the local innovation and startup ecosystem
  • Provides an excellent environment for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and networking

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