PROGRAMME
08:30 – 09:00
Registration & networking coffee
09:00 – 09:20
Opening of the conference
Welcome:
Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia
Košice IT Valley
Business Kosice
09:20 – 09:30
Data doesn't lie: Automotive in Eastern Slovakia in numbers
Jakub Zagora, Košice IT Valley
09:30 – 09:50
Keynote: The region of the future is decided today
Subtitle: The role of the automotive industry in the transformation of regions
Katarína Vaškovičová, Magna Powertrain
09:50 – 10:40
Panel discussion: The future of automotive - pillars of transformation
Panelists:
Magna Electronics – Radovan Lukáč
Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia – TBD
Volvo Cars – TBD
Technical University of Košice – Juraj Gazda
10:40 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 11:15
Case Study No. 1 – Mitsubishi
Peter Horos
Topic: How to ensure the transfer of innovations to the region
11:15 – 11:30
Case Study No. 2 / Talent talk – Volkswagen
Milan Petruš, HR Manager for Labor Relations and Digitization
Topic: A strategic view of talent as a critical infrastructure for the future of automotive
11:30 – 11:55
Interview no. 3 – Volvo Cars – TBD
Topic: Halfway There: What the Arrival of Volvo Reveals About the Region's Readiness
11:55 – 12:30
Lunch & networking
Guests:
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KEYNOTE speaker
In her lecture, Katarína Vaškovičová , General Manager at Magna Powertrain, will focus on how the automotive industry is fundamentally changing the economies of regions, from the transformation of production and the emergence of electromobility, through digitalization and automation of processes, to the growing demands for a qualified workforce. Get a practical perspective on how companies are preparing for these changes, what determines their competitiveness today, and what role the region plays in attracting and retaining large investments. Katarína leads the plant in Kechnec with more than 1,000 employees and is one of the prominent personalities of the Slovak automotive industry. Her career is an example of growth, courage and strong leadership in a technical position and management of key production in the region.
How to take innovations from vision to reality?
Peter Horos will present the first case study. The Regional Sales Manager at Mitsubishi Electric connects technologies with real business impact and in practice acts not only as a supplier, but as a partner who helps companies find effective and sustainable solutions. He has experience across automation, robotics, energy and control systems. In his case study, he will therefore focus on the topic: How to ensure the transfer of innovation to the region. That is, how to transform potential into concrete results in businesses, in the economy, in education and in everyday practice.
An expert who connects the world of people and industry
Milan Petruš has been working at Volkswagen Slovakia since 2006. During his more than 20-year career in human resources, he has been dedicated to people development, employer brand building and strategic management of HR processes. In 2013 and 2014, he worked at the Volkswagen Group headquarters in Germany, where he specialized in dual education and connecting the needs of the industry with the education system. As part of his HR practice, he was responsible for the areas of personal development, recruitment, personal marketing and talent development. Since 2024, he has been focusing on the digitalization of HR processes and the area of labor relations (Labor Relations). In his work, he emphasizes the partnership between the employee and the organization, sustainable development of competencies and meaningful transformation of HR in the era of digitalization.
Data as a decision-making compass
Jakub Zagora works as a data analyst at Košice IT Valley, where he creates reports and analyses focused on the ICT sector and related areas. In his work, he transforms data into understandable and practically usable knowledge that supports strategic decision-making and planning. During his studies and practice, he has developed a strong analytical and problem-oriented thinking. He is interested in data, technology and continuous improvement, focusing on understanding complex systems and creating solutions that support innovation and growth in the field of information and communication technologies. In his analysis of the Automotive industry in Eastern Slovakia, he shows a real picture of the sector in numbers, supported by data. What trends are shaping the region? Where are its strengths and weaknesses, and what does this mean for the future?