Miloš Pejčinović, Association for Promotion of Serbian Food

Branislav Nedimović, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Serbia

We will discuss the strategic importance of the food sector for the countries of the region, as well as the interstate exchange of food. Has COVID-19 increased the value of domestic products? Are domestic products valued more than before the pandemic? Which producers were the winners of the crisis? What can we expect after it ends? What is the situation in the region?

SPEAKERS:

Branislav Nedimović, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Republic of Serbia

Dr Jože Podgoršek, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Republic of Slovenia

Boris Pašalić, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Republic of Srpska

MODERATOR:

Miloš Pejčinović, Association for Promotion of Serbian Food

Food producers and online sales – how have manufacturers and retail systems adapted to this trend? Online shopping has expanded due to the crisis, but has this trend continued or are consumers returning to their favorite stores? What are the consumer habits of customers and how much have they changed during the crisis? What can we expect in the future? What are the experiences of the first producers who succeeded to place their products on Amazon?

SPEAKERS:

Goran Kovačević, General Manager, Gomex

Anja Djurić, Marketing Manager, Donesi.com

Tatjana Avramov, founder, Real Red Raspberry

Vasilije Ćetković, founder, Kovoli.com

MODERATOR:

Dejan Ranđić, General Manager, DNA Communications & ICT Hub

New winds of Serbian vineyards – who are the new players on the Serbian wine market? Are the wine regions of Serbia returning to the old paths of glory? How much more educated is the wine public than before? What damage did the wine industry of Serbia suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how long will it take to recover? Has the industry changed? What is the situation in the region?

SPEAKERS:

Zlatko Živanić, Toplički Vinogradi Winery, Serbia

Dejan Živkoski, President, Serbian Sommelier Association

Božidar Aleksandrović, owner, Aleksandrović Winery, Serbia

MODERATOR:

Igor Luković, Editor, Vino&Fino.rs

As an industry we’re adjusting to a COVID-era normal that will be with us for months and years to come. The interview with the Director and Co-Founder of thefoodpeople, Mr. Charles Banks, explores the biggest shifts in Food & Drink Retail and the likely manifestations.

SPEAKER:

Charles Banks, Co-Founder, thefoodpeople

What are short food supply chains (SFSCs)? Are SFSCs recognized? What are the typical difficulties/barriers that producers/processors face when selling their products through short food supply chains? What are the needs of the SFSCs? Can SFSCs strengthen local community and how? How SFSCs can help environmental protection? What is consumers’ perception of SFSCs? What do consumers want from SFSCs products? How do COVID-19 crises affect producers from SFSCs? How can the results of SMARTCHAIN project help SFSCs?

SPEAKERS:
Prof. Viktor Nedović, PhD, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture / President, Serbian Association of Food Technologists
Prof. Mirjana Pešić, PhD, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, representative of the SMARTCHAIN Project
Cane Jovanović, co-owner of „Polo doo Čačak“, president of Association of companies for processing fruits and vegetables, Kraljevo

Trademark of home-grown quality: what does it mean for each of the market players? Why haven’t the previous quality labels for domestic products come to life? Will the Čuvarkuća label succeed? What does that label mean for manufacturers? What does a branded product mean to consumers? What do retailers say? Has the sales of Čuvarkuća products increased?

SPEAKERS:

Prof. Saša Veljković, PhD, Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade / President, Serbian Marketing Association (SeMA)

Marc Ernest Garofani, General Manager, Veropoulos

Slobodan Košutić, General Manager, Sunoko

Branislav Sekulić, Founder, Vrtlari

MODERATOR:

Miloš Pejčinović, Association for Promotion of Serbian Food

Food producers are dependent on the HoReCa sector, while the caterers are dependent on their guests and COVID-19 epidemiological measures. What do producers dependent on this sector say? What do caterers and hoteliers say? What are the losses? What is the position of the state and will the HoReCa sector be helped in any way? What does it take for this industry to recover and what can we expect? How important is the arrival of Michelin to Serbia, and how will it affect the branding of Serbia and Belgrade as tourist destinations?

SPEAKERS:

Nikola Dimitrijević, Owner, Franš Restaurant, Belgrade

Goran Kočiš, Co-Owner and Head Chef, Noel Restaurant, Zagreb

Dejan Pejčinović, Chief Operation Officer, MONA Plaza Hotel/ Vice President, Board of Directors, HORES

Dr Miroslav Knežević, Secretary of State, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications

MODERATOR:

Dejan Ranđić, General Manager, DNA Communications & ICT Hub

There are many intricacies that go into building a great brand, and with numerous eye-catching products joining the food and drink market daily, it’s hard to stand out. From the people you employ and the ingredients you use to the packaging and marketing of your product, there is a balancing act to creating a strong brand image. What is the key to getting noticed? Where do you fit in?

SPEAKERS:

Oliver Bennett, Co-Founder, Xite Energy Drink

Richard Goldsmith, Co-Founder, Moju drinks

Camilla Ainsworth, Founder, Mylk Plus

MODERATOR:

Sam Chance, Head of Marketing, Montgomery Group

For the first time in history of Serbian financial market, an online platform for financing businesses was launched – the Ventu.rs crowdinvesting platform. The offer of financial products and services adjusted to the needs of SME’s and the requirements of modern businesses is growing. How can crowdinvesting help? Is there a simple and secure way to invest in local small businesses and startups? How can investors take part in crowdinvesting? The people behind the first crowdinvesting campaign in Serbia will share their experience!

SPEAKERS:

Veljko Milićević, Founder, Bubaja d.o.o. (Zdrawo Slatko & RO!)

Luka Pejović, Director, BDO Ventures – Ventu.rs

Vlado Pavlović, WM Equity Partners

MODERATOR:
Sandra Rodić, Access to Finance Director, USAID Cooperation for Growth Project

About new routes to market, listen to Vhari Russell, a life-long foodie devoted to the food industry and renowned networking whirlwind. Founder of the Food Marketing Expert and of Grub Club Events. Vhari is obsessed with helping producers get their products on retailers’ shelves and getting their products the sales, profile and coverage, they deserve. Leaves no stone unturned.

Speaker:

Vhari Russell, Founder of The Food Marketing Experts
Host:

Elena Attanasio, Portfolio Director, Montgomery Group

Lately, we are hearing the word “innovations” more and more frequently, all around us. Are there innovations in the food industry? Are there support programs for domestic innovators from this sector? How does this support look like, who provides it and how to get it? How to innovatively use bio-waste in food production and how does it affect the environment?

SPEAKERS:

Dubravka Skunca, PhD, LCA leader, GreenProtein Project – European Union H2020 BBI JU / Regional Representative, EIT Food

Aleksandar Arnaut, Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship Development at Startit / EIT Food Hub, Serbia Representative

What is the state of the food industry in Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic? Has agriculture shown that it is the lifeblood of the European economy? What are the forecasts for the future? What is the state of the region and the Balkans in that?

SPEAKER:

Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture

Miloš Pejčinović, Association for Promotion of Serbian Food