The Grow East Congress series were started in 2007 as a joint initiative of Dr. Manfred Berger, partner of IQONIC Consulting, founder of NEUSICHT Think-Tank and Prof. Dr. Arnold Schuh, Director of the Competence Center for Emerging Markets & CEE at WU Vienna. Advantage Austria the international arm of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) was our main congress partner since 2017.
The main goal of this congress series was to provide insights into current developments into the emerging Europe and to highlight the challenges that international and local companies face when expanding into and competing in CEE markets.
Grow East offered a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between representatives of foreign firms operating in CEE, outstanding local firms and entrepreneurs, academics and business students with a strong interest in the economies, societies and markets of this region.
The format was a mix of panel sessions with entrepreneurs and executives representing regional leaders, academics and other experts. They discussed current business issues, go-to-markets strategies, new business models and major developments shaping the markets of CEE.
The congresses were targeted to business owners, entrepreneurs, executives of national and international firms, consultants with a focus on CEE. Furthermore, students and academics with a strong interest in doing business in CEE.