Change
Makers 2026
The first conference in Slovenia on the topic of change management and competitiveness.
22/10/2026 at 15:00
Congress Hall Smelt, Ljubljana
See you on 14/10/2027!
Competitiveness starts with the ability to change.
A conference on competitiveness, leadership and change management.
How do we lead organisations and people in a world where change is no longer the exception, but the constant?
Change Makers 2026 brings together more than 200 leaders, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and experts to explore what separates organisations that merely cope with change from those that turn it into a competitive advantage.
5 reasons to attend the Change Makers Conference 2026
A glimpse into the future of business
Gain invaluable insight into the latest trends and strategies in leadership, change management, business transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence that will shape the future of your work and career.
One of the most expert conferences on change management
Get inspired by the stories of top speakers and leaders who have already created meaningful change through their actions, and gain new momentum for your own professional challenges.
Networking with the best in the region
Connect with more than 200 leading experts, potential mentors, future colleagues and partners from across the region, and expand your network of key contacts.
Practical knowledge and tools
Gain concrete knowledge, tools and techniques you can apply in your workplace right away to improve efficiency, encourage innovation and achieve better results.
Join the movement for change, become a Change Maker
Join an exclusive community of people who believe in the power of knowledge, collaboration and proactive action. Become part of a movement that is co-creating a better business future.
Leading companies and organizations united by one ambition: to make Slovenia more competitive and better prepared for change. Together, we are building a community that turns ideas into impact.
20 leading voices. One stage. CEOs, entrepreneurs, experts and changemakers sharing what it really takes to lead, compete and deliver results in a world of constant change.
Bringing together 200+ C-level executives, business leaders and decision-makers to connect, exchange ideas and shape the future. A high-level community where conversations create new connections and opportunities.
Celebrating transformation that creates impact. Recognizing 3 outstanding voices in leadership (Top podcast Beyond Leadership) and 1 company that turned change into success (Change Maker Award).
Change Makers 2026 Agenda
An inspiring afternoon of bold ideas, honest conversations and meaningful connections, designed to challenge how we think about leadership, competitiveness and change.
Change On: Registration & Change Makers Networking
Check in, grab your goody bag, explore our partner booths and start connecting.
When Change Becomes Movement – Aerial Silk Storytelling
Why Slovenia Needs Change Makers
Opening remarks – Mark & Polona
The Sports Director Who Leads from the Car
Andrej Hauptman, Sports Director, UAE Team Emirates, multiple national champion and the first Slovenian to win a bronze medal at the World Championships
Revealing the Hard Truth About Slovenia’s Competitiveness
Dr. Damjan Kavaš & Mag. Sonja Uršič, Director and Researcher, Institute for Economic Research
Why Don’t People Do What We Agreed?
Polona Novak Kalin, Senior Change Manager at the international corporation SAS, ICF Coach, PROSCI Practitioner
Leading Change in Practice
Luka Železnik, Co-owner and CEO, KingsBox
Organizations That Make an Impact – Business Associations Panel
Alenka Mejač Krassnig, Country Manager, Visa Slovenia, Vice President, AmCham Slovenia
Tomaž Orešič, Vice President Managers' Association of Slovenia, Vice President and Procurator Resalta
Barbara Uranjek Kozina, Director, British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce
Moderator: Lucija Gubenšek, Business Development Director, Bloomberg Adria, Executive Director, Slovenian Technology Forum
Change Makers Book Club with Blaž Strle
Blaž Strle, CEO, BE-terna
Break & Change Makers Networking
When Change Becomes Movement – Aerial Silk Storytelling
The 2nd part of the program will start.
CEOs Uncensored – Leadership Panel
Marko Lukić, Owner and CEO, Lumar
Marjan Batagelj, Owner, Postojnska Jama
Janez Škrabec, Founder and Owner, Riko
Moderator: Mark Kalin, Director, ABC Accelerator
Slovenia Knows How to Win. Why? What Can Elite Sport Teach Us About Competitiveness, Leadership & a Culture of Results – Panel
Damjan Kralj, CEO, BTC & President, Slovenian Tennis Association
Andraž Vehovar, Co-owner, Berk Kompoziti & President, Cycling Federation of Slovenia
Metod Ropret, President, Volleyball Federation of Slovenia, Vice President, Olympic Committee of Slovenia & Mayor of Brezovica
Moderator: Marko Mlakar, Managing Partner, Amrop Adria
What If We’re Doing Wrong Exactly What Everyone Else Does? Lead Differently
Marko Podgornik Verdev, Owner and CEO, Mikro+Polo
Awards Ceremony
Beyond Leadership – Top podcasts that pushed the boundaries of how we understand leadership
Change Maker Award – for courage, impact and organisational transformations 2025
Closing Reception in the Foyer with Catering & DJ
The event ends, but the transformation is only just beginning.
About Courage, Vision and Personal Transformation
Andraž Vehovar, the First Slovenian Olympic Medalist and Entrepreneur
Unveiling the Hard Truth About Slovenia's Competitiveness
Dr. Damjan Kavaš in Mag. Sonja Uršič, Institute for Economic Research
Seeing the Invisible - How to measure Change
Seeing the Invisible - How to measure Change
Organizations That Make an Impact – Business Associations Panel
Ajša Vodnik, CEO, AmCham Slovenia Petra Juvančič, Executive director, ZM Barbara Uranjek, CEO, BSCC Špela Vizjak, President, ZUS
CEOs Uncensored – Leadership Panel
Blaž Brodnjak, CEO, NLB d.d. Matija Šenk, CEO, Vzajemna d.d. Mag. Damjan Kralj, CEO, BTC d.d. Blaž Strle, CEO, BE-terna Group
Where Capital Recognizes Courage
Matej Rigelnik, CEO, Equinox
Scale-ups as the Laboratory of the Future – Panel
Dejan Roljič, Founder & CEO, NAKA Tom Vodopivec, COO, BirdBuddy Luka Berger, Cofounder & CEO, Flexkeeping Luka Železnik, CEO, Kingsbox
Leadership in the Age of AI
Dr. Klemen Simončič, Cofounder & CEO, Soniox
Award Ceremony and Closing Reception with diVino & DJ (from 8 PM onwards)
Beyond Leadership Award - Top Podcasts that pushed the boundaries of leadership understanding Change Maker Award - for courage, impact, and organizational transformations 2025
Join 200+ Leaders and Decision-Makers.
Speakers
Our speakers are leading voices in leadership transformation, sharing their insights and experience to inspire change in your organisation.
Janez Škrabec
Founder and Owner, Riko
Marko Lukić
Owner and CEO, Lumar
Marjan Batagelj
Owner, Postojnska Jama
mag. Damjan Kralj
CEO, BTC d.d., President, Slovenian Tennis Association
Andraž Vehovar
President Cycling Federation of Slovenia, and Co-owner, Berk Kompoziti
Metod Ropret
President, Volleyball Federation of Slovenia, and Mayor of Brezovica
Andrej Hauptman
Sports Director, UAE Team Emirates
Lucija Gubenšek
Business Development Director, Bloomberg Adria, Executive Director, Slovenian Technology Forum
Tomaž Orešič
Vice President Managers' Association of Slovenia, Vice President and Procurator Resalta
Barbara Uranjek Kozina
Director, British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce
Alenka Mejač Krassnig
Vice President, AmCham Slovenia, Country Manager, Visa Slovenia
Marko Podgornik Verdev
Co-owner and CEO, MIKRO+POLO
Dr. Damjan Kavaš
Director, Institute for Economic Research
Mag. Sonja Uršič
Researcher, Institute for Economic Research
Domen Valič
Fun & Flow facilitator
Polona Novak Kalin
Senior Change Manager at the international corporation SAS, ICF Coach, PROSCI Practitioner
Marko Mlakar
Managing Partner at Amrop Adria
Luka Železnik
Co-owner and CEO, KingsBox
Mark Kalin
Director, ABC Accelerator
What our attendees say
Our partners and sponsors
AWARDS
ChangeMakers 2026
As part of the conference, we also present two prestigious awards that recognise and reward excellence in the Slovenian business community. In doing so, we foster a culture of progress and transformation. The award is more than recognition – it is a platform for visibility and for positioning as a leading company in transformation.
Change Maker Award
The Change Maker Award celebrates organizations driving impactful and lasting transformations through visionary leadership, innovation, and fostering a positive, people-centered culture.
TOP PODCAST BEYOND LEADERSHIP AWARD
Beyond Leadership is a podcast that connects the business world with the academic world, offering a platform for entrepreneurs, leaders, managers, students, and anyone else who is ready to upgrade their knowledge and share their best practices and life stories.
EN 
SL