From September 18 to 21, Rovinj will become the epicenter of the regional investment industry
As part of Weekend.18, the first-ever Investment.Weekend will take place—a premier event bringing together leading global and regional experts, investors, and financial leaders. This unique festival, created in collaboration with the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM), is designed as a response to the rapidly changing global investment landscape.
The program of the inaugural edition, unveiled on September 1 at Maksimir’s Vidikovac, raises key questions shaping the future of investing.
“Investment.Weekend offers a unique opportunity to view global trends through the lens of the regional market. Here, investors, CFOs, and industry leaders can discuss real-world challenges, discover new investment opportunities, and align strategy with concrete business decisions,”said Mato Njavro, Dean of ZSEM.
Some of the headline speakers have already been announced, including George Yeo and Luis Oganes, who will speak about geopolitics, the global macroeconomic environment, and the future of investing.
Regional Leaders and Real Estate Innovations
In addition, the program will feature speakers from the real estate and finance sectors, including Tomislav Kesić, lecturer and CFA expert at ZSEM, who will share insights on portfolio management and alternative investments.
Notable voices in the field of real estate development and sustainable investing include Ivan Kurtović, CEO of InterCapital Asset Management, Arn Willems, Senior Partner at InterCapital Real Estate, and Vlaho Kojaković, Head of the Real Estate Team at EBRD. They will discuss sustainable real estate development, strategic public-private partnerships, and how wealth can be generated through the regional real estate market.
Also participating are Sven Vorih, CEO of CC Real, who will share experiences in managing shopping centers in Croatia, and Ariel Ferstman, Managing and Founding Partner at Habaita, who will speak about innovative investment strategies and collaborations with private equity and institutional investors.
M&A and the Future of Investing
A panel on alternative investments and the future of investing will provide insights into venture capital, private equity, and other non-public market strategies that help increase diversification and reduce portfolio risk in volatile market conditions. Panelists include Petar Vlaić from Erste Plavi Pension Funds, Melk Bucher from Partners Group, and Maja Bešević Vlajo from ZB Invest.
In addition, Victor Dodig, CEO of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Krešimir Marušić, Executive Director of Accounting at Corient Private Wealth, will discuss the future of investing and changes in investor behavior.
A separate discussion on M&A transactions in Central and Southeastern Europe will explore the specific characteristics of local markets, regulatory challenges, cultural differences, and the complexities of company valuation. Participants include Jože Rant from Aircash and Danijel Jevremović from Lazard.
Investment.Weekend offers a unique opportunity for investors, financial leaders, and experts to gain insight into global and regional trends, connect with top professionals, and shape their investment strategies during times of market uncertainty. More information about the program and speakers is available on the official festival website.