DAY 1
Registration
Setting up the scene
Teodora Jilkova – Managing Director of Bulgarian Convention Bureau
Welcoming Address
Irena Georgieva – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism
Anton Penev – Director of Visit Sofia, Sofia Municipality
Next Stop Sofia: The Future of Airport Development and Visitor Experience
Jesús Caballero Pinto – CEO of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Think Global, Act Local: Empowering Destinations in the Events Arena
Milos Milovanovic, Partner GainingEdge Analysis & Research (GEAR)
Stronger Together – Harnessing the Benefits of Membership in Global Events Associations
Moderator: Magdalina Atanassova – Digital Media Editor at PCMA Convene
Panellists: Efi Koudeli – ICCA Regional Director Europe
Daniel Cosnita – Managing Director Clustero, The Romanian National Cluster association, Enterprise Europe Network partner & the European Clusters Alliance
Teodora Jilkova – Managing Director of Bulgarian Convention Bureau
Expo & Networking
Industry Talks
(Taking place at The Forum, outside the Alpha Hall)
Presentation of the first Guide for Event Organizers in Sofia, by Visit Sofia
If you have missed the launch presentation in early December 2025, it is a must to attend the presentation!
Margarita Katsarova, MICE & Tourism Expert, Visit Sofia
Planning your meetings. Upgrading events
When we participate in events, should we aim for pre-scheduled meetings, or keep the natural flow of networking and the exhibition floor? Powered by TouchMenu
Ivailo Kozhuharov, CEO of Hotel Experts, Strategic Partner of TouchMenu, Associate of PKF Hospitality Group
Plamena Bobeva, Director of Business Development of TouchMenuи Managing Partner of Hotel Experts
Guest: Teodora Jilkova, CEO, Bulgarian Convention Bureau
European Design Awards are coming to Sofia in Summer 2026! What to expect and how you can get involved. Powered by Studio Komplekt
The presentation will reveal more details about the European Design Awards & Festival, a landmark moment for the region’s creative community, where Studio Komplekt acts as curator and organiser of the event.
Boiana Gjaurova, founder of Studio Komplekt
Adriana Andreeva, founder of Studio Komplekt
Beyond Prestige – Capitalizing on the BBB Advantage in International Exhibitions (Business Development; Brand Visibility and Building Capacity)
Moderator: Milos Milovanovic – Partner Gaining Edge Analysis & Research (GEAR)
Panellists: Liz Brand – Head of Hosted Buyer Relationship Management at IMEX
Gorazd Cad – Co-Founder at Conventa, Founder of Planet Positive Event, CEO Toleranca Marketing, Slovenia
Elevating Experiences: Trends and Innovations for Venues with 1000+ Seats
Moderator: Yoan Mladenov – Deputy General Manager Events & MICE, Inter Expo Center
Panellists: Andriyana Petkova – Executive Director of the National Palace of Culture
Ivaylo Ivanov – Chairman of the BoD Inter Expo & Congress Center
Kaloyan Todorov – Co-owner and CEO of the group SEG
Expo & Networking
Project Preskok – an example of the new strategy for the Slovenian meetings industry until 2030 (developed by Toleranca Marketing)
Gorazd Cad, Co-Founder at Conventa, Founder of Planet Positive Event, CEO Toleranca Marketing, Slovenia
Adapting to Change : The Evolving Landscape of Professional Congress Organisers in Bulgaria
Moderator: Julieta Trifonova, PhD – MICE professional, Director JT Consulting, Education and Management
Panellists: Dessislava Simeonova – Managing Director of Liberty Tourism Group Bulgaria
Rosalina Kreisl – Owner & CEO of Mercury-97 Ltd
Maria Arsova – CEO of Event Design
Albena: Sustainable MICE destination
Iveta Todorova – Senior Commercial Manager, Albena JSCo
The Modern Menu: Balancing Health, Safety, and Sustainability in Catering
Rene Catering Group – Viktoriya Stanimirova – Member of the Family Business Association FBN, the young face of Rene Gourmet Group.
RedDevil Catering – Silvia Rangelova – Sales and Event Director
Wrap up and Closing Remarks Day 1
Teodora Jilkova – CEO, Bulgarian CVB
Networking Cocktail
X-R@Y live performance
DAY 2
Registration
Lessons for Award-Winning Events from Eventex Awards Entries.
Dessislava Marinova – Awards Manager at Symbol and Eventex Awards
Yana Yaneva – Awards Manager at Symbol Awards
Business Hotels Reimagined: Harmonizing Change and Optimization
Moderator: Adriana Angelova – Cluster Director of Business Development, Grand Hotel Millenium, Sofia
Panellists: Stephan Reiter – General Manager of Hilton Sofia
Adriana Angelova – Cluster Director of Business Development, Grand Hotel Millenium, Sofia
Atis Zaharans – General Manager for Hyatt Regency Sofia and Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort in Bulgaria
Vesselina Popova – Hotel Manager, Hotel Cherno more, Varna
Bilyana Nedelcheva – Hotel Manager, Business Hotel Bulgaria, Bourgas
Elevating Events Workforce: The Call for Practical Education and Talent Development
Moderator: Martina Bojanska – Expert Hotelier and Manager with 20+ years of experience
Panellists: Julieta Trifonova, PhD – MICE professional, Director JT Consulting, Education and Management
Violeta Milusheva – Director of Sales and Marketing, InterContinental Sofia
Goran Yordanov – Director of Enrollment, Postgraduate Global at Sommet Education
Prof.Dr.Elenita Velikova – Secretary General for Science at UNWE and Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center
Diana Bancheva – Coordinator of the SMARTOURISM.Bg Project, Member of the team for developing curricula, programs and resources for organizing events, Ministry of Education and Science
Expo & Networking
Industry Talks
(Taking place at The Forum, outside the Alpha Hall)
Event Plus: Value-added events: data, attitudes and smart partnerships in 2026.
Ralitsa Ivanova, Founder and Managing Director, Event Plus
Ekaterina Petrova, Marketing & CRM Professional
Pullman Okol Golf Resort & SPA Hotel and NOVOTEL Sofia: Style Your Stay, Work Blissfully.
Dayana Kanazireva, Development, Marketing & Sales Director and Member of the Board of OKOL Lake Park
Entrepreneurs in Action: Redefining Large-Scale Event Management
Moderator: Kaloyan Todorov – Co-owner and CEO of the group SEG
Panellists: Vladimir Grancharov – Creative Producer, Designer, and Co-Founder of Elektrick.Me
Stefan Elenkov – Founder and CEO of Fest Team
Kiril Kirov (Kiko) – CEO of Global Group Ltd., Co-owner of Brigada&Co, Partner at Artvent
Marin Dimitrov – Chief Operations Officer at MP-STUDIO and LUNAR Festival of Lights, CEO of MP-STUDIO TECH, and Co-founder of Enter Your Plan
Shaping Tomorrow : The Future of Events: AI as Co‑Organiser and Strategic Ally
Alexei Lazarov – CEO of Visibilio
Expo & Networking
Engagement in Focus
Moderator: Teodora Jilkova – CEO, Bulgarian CVB
Georgiana Mihailovici – CMO & Business Strategy Lead at THECON
Desislava Avdzhieva – Managing Director of Alternative Advertising
Wrap up and Closing Remarks Day 2 and Save the Dates for EEI 2027!
Teodora Jilkova, CEO, Bulgarian CVB