The 11th AIB-CEE Chapter Annual Conference 2025 was held in Bratislava on September 24–26, 2025, under the title "Adapting to Global Change: International Business Strategies in CEE Countries and Beyond." The conference was organized by the Bratislava University of Economics and Business (EUBA), specifically the Faculty of Commerce, together with the Bratislava University of Economics and Management in Bratislava (BUEM).
The Academy of International Business (AIB) is the most prestigious global scientific organization in the field of international business, bringing together experts, academics, and researchers from more than 90 countries around the world. Its regional branch for Central and Eastern Europe, the AIB-CEE Chapter, plays an important role in developing scientific excellence, promoting internationalization, and building links between academia and practice.
On September 25, 2025, the conference program took place at EUBA, where the grand opening, introductory speeches, and expert panels with domestic and foreign guests were held in the auditorium.
The opening of the conference was marked by cooperation between the academic and institutional spheres. The opening remarks were delivered by Paula Puškárová, Vice-Rector for Science and Doctoral Studies of EUBA, and Ľuboš Cibák, Rector of VŠEM, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in research and education.
This was followed by speeches:
Jakub Birka, General Director of the Research and Development Section, Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic,
Andreja Jaklič, Chapter Chair, Academy of International Business Central & Eastern Europe Chapter,
Michal Hvorecký, Writer, Translator, Head of Department for Culture, Bratislava Old Town.
Experts from the fields of diplomacy, economics, and business practice spoke at the expert panel entitled "Internationalization: Slovak Case":
Rastislav Chovanec, State Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovak Republic,
Andrea Krajčíková, Director, Ministry of Economy, Slovak Republic,
Róbert Spišák, Director and Board Member AZC Group,
Peter Rusiňák, Head of BSC Forum, Deputy Director, AmCham, Slovakia.
The panel focused on the experiences of Slovak institutions and companies in the process of internationalization and on how Slovakia can better respond to global changes through effective strategies and innovations.
The keynote speakers included leading figures from the field of international business. Prof. Torben Pedersen, President of the Academy of International Business (AIB) and professor at Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), presented the current challenges facing companies as a result of global geopolitical turmoil in his lecture entitled "Geopolitical turbulence in the world and companies' resilience strategies" and pointed out the importance of resilience and strategic adaptability of companies.
Other notable guests included Prof. Pervez Ghauri (University of Birmingham) and Prof. Arnold Schuh (Vienna University of Economics and Business), who jointly opened the topics of social responsibility and research in Central and Eastern Europe. In his presentation, Prof. Ghauri reflected on the possibilities and limitations of implementing ESG principles and sustainable development goals in the current global context, while Prof. Schuh gave a presentation in which he highlighted the need for a critical re-evaluation of international business research in the CEE region and the identification of its less explored aspects.
The entire conference was moderated by Andreja Jaklič, Soňa Ferenčíková, and Denisa Čiderová, whose professional approach and quick thinking contributed to the smooth and pleasant course of the event.
The closing reception was held in an exceptionally friendly and inspiring atmosphere. Participants enjoyed a social gathering full of informal conversations and new contacts, enriched by a performance by the Ekonóm folk ensemble, which brought an authentic touch of Slovak tradition and culture.
The final day of the conference, held on September 26, 2025, at the Bratislava University of Economics and Management in Bratislava (BUEM), featured a rich professional program focused on the exchange of knowledge and discussion of current trends in international business. The morning began with an inspiring session entitled "Meet the Editor: How to Publish in AIB Journals", led by Elizabeth Rose and Desislava Dikova. Participants received practical advice and recommendations on how to successfully publish in prestigious international journals, while also learning about the process of evaluating scientific articles in the field of international business. The program continued with 13 parallel thematic sections covering a wide range of topics from globalization strategies and digitization to sustainability and the challenges faced by businesses in Central and Eastern Europe. Each section featured lively discussions between experts from academia and business, who worked together to find specific solutions and ways to link theory with practice.
The event welcomed nearly 100 participants from 29 countries around the world, including renowned academics, experts from the business world, and representatives of public administration.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the organization and running of the 11th AIB-CEE Chapter Annual Conference 2025. Thanks to their dedication, professionalism, and cooperation, we were able to create an event of a high international standard. The cooperation between AIB-CEE, EUBA and BUEM thus emphasized the values that both universities share with the global academic community — excellence, innovation, internationalization, professionalism, and sustainability.
You can find the entire photo gallery of the conference HERE.
