The first official day of the 8th Annual ACAP Conference was filled with excitement as hundreds of attendees gathered to explore the future of collaboration and innovation. The day kicked off with a seamless registration process, followed by a series of welcome remarks that set an inspiring tone for the event.
Jasmine Golubic, Conference Chair, welcomed participants with enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of the conference as a platform for dialogue and connection. Maria Sentic, ACAP President, shared her vision for the organization and the opportunities ahead. Attendees were then addressed by dignitaries including Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, who highlighted a desire for partnership in tourism between residents of Nevada and Croatia; Lara Romano, Envoy of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, who brought an international perspective to the discussion; and Ivan Anušić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, who underscored the importance of global partnerships.
The conference then transitioned into its first panel discussion, “Future Forward: Croatia in 2030,” moderated by Maria Dugandžić Pašić, Vice President of Corporate Communication at PNC Bank. The panel featured Amanda Flocchini, International Business Development Director for the Nevada Governor’s Office; Lara Romano; and Robert Kohorst, Former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. Together, they explored the future landscape for Croatia, discussing opportunities and strategies for growth.
Next, attendees delved into the “Finance, Markets, and Innovation” panel, moderated by Sue Kuraja, Founder of The Consulate Group. This session showcased insights from John Kosir, Senior Vice President at CAC Specialty; Anthony Peculic, Vice President and Head of AWA & BMM Products at Marqeta; and Vuk Vukovic, CIO of Oraclum Capital. The discussion revolved around emerging trends in finance and the innovative approaches reshaping the industry.
After a refreshing coffee break, the third panel, “Innovation in Medicine: Croatian All-Stars,” captivated attendees. Moderated by Marijo Bilusic, the panel included Marko Radic, Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Katherine Vlasica, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Saint Joseph’s Health; and Steven Pavletic, Professor of Medicine and Oncology from Bethesda, Maryland. The experts shared groundbreaking advancements in medical innovation and the contributions of Croatian professionals to global health.
Following the panels, guests had the opportunity to participate in a speed networking session, fostering connections and exchanges among attendees. The excitement continued with a masterclass in storytelling led by Pete Radovich, Senior Creative Director & VP of Production at CBS Sports, which captivated participants with insights on effective communication.
The fourth panel, “From the Adriatic Sea to the Statue of Liberty: Croatian Companies on the Global Stage,” was moderated by Chiara Jovanovic, and featured Josip Cesic, Co-Founder and CEO of Gideon; Hrvoje Cosic, Founder of Aircash; Nikolina Lauc, Co-Founder & CEO of GlycanAge; and Nikola Pavesic, Director of DevEx & Startups at Infobip. The discussion highlighted the global impact of Croatian enterprises.
Attendees then had the choice of breakout sessions, including “AI in Education: Comparing the U.S. and Croatia,” “Meet the ACAP Advisory Council,” and “Expand Your Business to the U.S.,” which featured Croatians Online’s own, Sanja Bogovic discussing her company, Dependent Tax Partners, and addressing pressing tax questions.
The first fireside chat of the conference, titled “Insights for the Future,” featured Victor Dodig and Iva Vukina, providing valuable perspectives on future opportunities.
The day culminated in the fifth panel, “Conquering the Corporate Ladder,” moderated by Jasmine Golubic, featuring industry leaders such as Ana Marita Brant, Vice President of Customer Experience at Wynn & Encore; Kemal Curić, Global Design Director at Lincoln Advance EV; Peter Hricak, Global IT Infrastructure & Security Operations at Lucasfilm & ILM; and Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President at AstraZeneca. Their insights into career advancement and leadership inspired many in attendance.
The sixth and final panel, “ONE Croatia: The Power of Global Connection,” moderated by Don Markusic, featured speakers including Antun Krešimir Buterin from Meeting G2, Wanita Kelava from the Canadian Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Tomislav Kuzmanovic from the Federation of Croatian Societies of Milwaukee, and Nada Pritisanac Matulich from the American Croatian Congress. They discussed the strength of global connections within the Croatian community.
As Day One came to a close, attendees left inspired and energized, ready to engage in the discussions and workshops that lay ahead. The 8th Annual ACAP Conference promises to be a pivotal event for collaboration, innovation, and global understanding. Stay tuned for more highlights from this exciting gathering!
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