Haters, Stereotypes and Prejudices, Star Journalists, Six Festivals, One Unforgettable Experience
From September 18–21 in Rovinj, the festival will bring together six thematic segments, ten venues, over 120 panels and workshops, more than 100 speakers and partners, and three days that will change the game.
“From 2008 to 2025, we’ve come a long way. This year we’re celebrating our big 18th birthday with our largest edition yet. Alongside our core topics, we’re introducing two brand-new formats—Investment.Weekend and Energy.Weekend—because the audience wants more. More knowledge, more inspiration, more opportunities to connect,” said Tomo Ricov, Director of Weekend.18.
Weekend.18 stays the Core of the Weekend
This year’s lineup features game-changers: Lara Boro, CEO of The Economist Group, will speak on the role of media in geopolitical chaos, while legendary author and journalist Michael Wolff will share his perspective on reporting from the heart of U.S. politics. Award-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller, host of the Trafficked series, will take audiences through the darkest corners of the black market. Meanwhile, Mojmira Pastorčić, Editor and Host of RTL Direkt, will join the panel “Women in News: Truth and Responsibility in Times of Crisis.”
National stereotypes take center stage in the panel “A Serb, a Croat, and a Slovene Walk Into a Bar,” featuring Dragoljub Petrović (Editor-in-Chief, Danas), writer and columnist Ante Tomić, singer-songwriter Zoran Predin, and the ever-popular Weekend guest, Zoran Kesić. The panel “Haters: Who Are These Strange People?” will feature Zoran Šprajc(RTL), journalist Slobodan Georgiev, artist and performer Ida Prester, psychologist Boris Jokić, and Robert Čoban, President of Color Press Group. Other standout discussions include “Is America Still the Land of Opportunity?”, “Truth Under Siege: Reporting in an Age of Global Crises”, “Europe vs. Big Tech”, and “Shame on You.” The full Weekend.18 program is available at www.weekend.hr.
People in Focus at the Third HR.Weekend
The third HR.Weekend will tackle the future of work and leadership, addressing talent attraction and retention, building motivating cultures, and developing leaders and HR functions. Topics include strategic HR-leadership partnerships, change management, pay transparency, the impact of AI, challenges in the public sector, and ethical questions at work.
Key speakers include Ilya Bonic, President of Mercer’s Career Business and Chief Strategy Officer; Asli Oktay, HR Director for BAT Adria; Boris Vukić, Partner and Co-founder of Adizes Southeast Europe; Marina Matić, Co-founder of Lotse; and Antonija Kapović, HR Director at Bugatti Rimac. The full HR.Weekend program can be found here.
Latest Trends at the Second AI.Weekend
“AI.Weekend had a fantastic debut last year, but what we’ve prepared this year will exceed even the highest expectations. Today, no one can ignore AI, and we want to show how it can be an ally in business with real-life examples, while also cutting through the hype. We’re bringing leading investors, successful startup founders, and experts shaping the AI ecosystem across industries, to foster honest conversations about the near future of AI. You’ll hear about global stories being built in Croatia, as well as insights from seasoned investors from Silicon Valley to Singapore. AI is not just technology—it’s about responsibility and vision—and Rovinj is the perfect place for these discussions,” said Nikola Pavešić, Director of AI.Weekend.
This year’s AI.Weekend dives deeper: How is AI transforming healthcare, finance, and marketing? What does generative AI bring to the table? Speakers include Sheel Mohnot (Better Tomorrow Ventures), Vishal Harnal (Managing Partner, 500 Global), Victor Dodig (President & CEO, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), Łukasz Gabler (TikTok), and Ervin Jagatić (Product Director, Infobip). The full AI.Weekend program is available here.
Finance of a New Generation at the Second Finance.Weekend
The second Finance.Weekend opens the door to modern finance with interactive panels, case studies, and networking instead of traditional lectures. Highlights include Michael Boyd, former Director of Treasury at Apple, with two decades of global project experience; Matija Kovačević (CFO, Hrvatski Telekom), Anita Lazović (CFO, Orion Telekom), and Matija Mandić (CFO, Telemach) on telecom controlling; and Damjan Rudež, former NBA player and Director of Sunset Sports Festival, on sports and business. ESG practices and sustainability will be discussed by Ivana Krajinović(EY Partner), Vedrana Jelušić Kašić (Management Board Member, PBZ), and Mitar Božić (CFO, Medlog Austria). The full Finance.Weekend program can be found here.
Capital Meets Vision at the First Investment.Weekend
The brand-new Investment.Weekend brings stories of investments shaping the world. Speakers include George Yeo, former Foreign Minister of Singapore; Luis Oganes, Chief Economist at J.P. Morgan; Melk Bucher, Private Infrastructure Investment Manager at Partners Group; Jože Rant, CFO of Aircash; and Victor Dodig in a dual role across two Weekend stages. The initiative is supported by the Zagreb School of Economics and Management. Its Dean and Festival Director, Mato Njavro, explained: “Investing in the future is not just about money—it’s about vision. That’s why we launched Investment.Weekend, a platform connecting those with capital and those with ideas, as well as anyone eager to understand where the global market is heading.” The full Investment.Weekend program is available here.
Future Energy at the First Energy.Weekend
The inaugural Energy.Weekend Powered UP by E.ON will focus on renewable energy, e-mobility, new business models, and ESG standards. Highlights include Korado Korlević’s keynote “What Will the World Look Like in 2045?”, which explores the future of technology, energy, and social change, as well as panels like “Power Up Talk: Power to the People”, “E-mobility: A Revolution or Just Marketing?”, and “When Everything Shuts Down: Are We Ready for a Blackout?”. Full program available here.
“Energy.Weekend is where knowledge, inspiration, and people come together around the belief that the energy transition is not only a necessity but also an opportunity. It’s about hearing the latest trends, connecting with industry leaders, and discovering ideas that can be applied right away. And beyond that, the atmosphere is relaxed and inspiring—it’s not just a conference, but a space where the future of energy is created together,” said Vladimir Sabo, Managing Director of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions for Croatia and Slovenia.
When the Lights Go Out, the Party Starts
Weekend doesn’t stop when the panels end—the parties are legendary. The opening night features jazz-fusion icon Tihomir Pop Asanović and friends, followed by a spectacular performance by global DJ star Jax Jones, presented by Omoda & Jaecoo. Ured za Ideje and Three Oh Two will host a nostalgic party with Tajči, Minea, Ilan Kabiljo, Vlatka Pokos, and Ivana Banfić, while DJs Uroš and Stanko Bondža keep the dance floor alive. As the old saying goes: the best business conversations in Rovinj happen after midnight.
One Weekend, Six Worlds—and a Place for You
“Weekend is not just a gathering of the creative industries—it’s proof that events drive the local economy and act as powerful ambassadors for destinations. According to our data, major events lead to significant spikes in spending across restaurants, hotels, and entertainment within a few kilometers. That’s why Mastercard invests in insights and partnerships with destinations and event organizers: to help them measure, plan, and create a sustainable future where cities aren’t just tourist points on the map but true lifestyle brands,” said Gea Kariž, Mastercard Country Manager for Croatia. “The fact that Weekend is a cashless festival ensures convenience while also showcasing how technology enhances the visitor experience. With exclusive Mastercard benefits, Priceless.com packages combining tickets and accommodation, and a focus on creating unforgettable moments, our goal is to deliver experiences that people will remember, share, and want to repeat. Weekend in Rovinj is exactly that.”
Accommodation in Rovinj is provided by Maistra Hospitality Group. Follow all program updates and new speaker announcements on the official website as well as on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok—because we still have plenty to reveal. Until then, mark your calendars for the third weekend of September and join us at the Weekend of all Weekends!