All news, insights and events
All news, insights and events
All news, insights and events

Record Anniversary European Economic Congress

Over 150 thematic sessions, 900 speakers and record guest attendance of 11.5 thousand participants, including over 700 media representatives – the 10th anniversary edition of the European Economic Congress (EEC) held in Katowice was a great success. 

The participants

The participants included EU dignitaries, key representatives of the Polish government, the national and European parliaments, international and national ministers and vice-ministers from Europe, as well as representatives of businesses and other experts. The European Start-up Days, an accompanying event of the Congress, was visited by more than 2.5 thousand people.

Wojciech Kuśpik, president of the PTWP Group, initiator of the European Economic Congress in Katowice, said:

“This year’s 10th edition of the European Economic Congress is exceptional in many aspects. Summing up three days of the biggest debates of this type in Central Europe, we can boast record attendance, both among participants and the mass media, a record number of sessions, speakers from all over the world, and other simultaneous events. Such huge interest is proof that creating a space for dialogue and establishing business relations makes sense. We’ve had many worthy debates and we’ve come to many significant conclusions for the future of Poland and Europe.” 

The Energy Minister, Krzysztof Tchórzewski, said:

“Eliminating all threats for people and the environment in the context of electrical energy is to be a priority in Poland. But combatting smog and emissions costs. Health care in general is increasingly expensive, and renewable energy sources should also be treated as a certain form of health-care expenses.”

Diego Pavia, InnoEnergy CEO said:

“We innovators are in favour of making our lives more and more simple. Innovation consists of three elements: technological innovations, social innovations and business model innovations.”

Similar optimism was expressed by Claude Turmes, member of the European Parliament, who said:

“I have the impression that we are speaking as if the Soviet Union still existed, and speaking of innovation is connected to comparisons with western Europe and countries such as Germany. We need to stop talking in this manner. Innovations will come from Estonia, Lithuania as well as from Poland. We need to be more optimistic. I know that you are developing the most advanced electric buses. You already have hydro-electric power plants. I’m an optimist, you will be a great location for companies that will want to produce renewable sources of energy in Poland.”

We all have a role to play

Diego Pavia also drew attention to the fact that not only policymakers should be engaged in the issue of energy transformations, but also society in general. “Together with Lithuania, we are undertaking an initiative which should lead to citizens more actively participating in energy transformations in the country. It is important that we all take part in this, not only the elite,” explained Pavia. As Pavia ensured, InnoEnergy invests on average 20 million euros annually in Poland for activities connected to energy innovations.