Regional Business Conference Varna 2026
Lider.BG Regional Business Conference - Varna 2026
Industry. Innovation. Investment.
13 October 2026 | 15:00
Hall "Bulgaria", Hotel Cherno More, Varna, Bulgaria
The Final Regional Business Forum Before the Lider.BG National Business Conference
On 13 October 2026, Lider.BG will host the Regional Business Conference - Varna 2026, bringing together business leaders, government institutions, investors, academia and international partners to discuss the future economic development of the Varna region and Northeastern Bulgaria.
As the final regional conference before the Lider.BG National Business Conference, the event will highlight key investment opportunities, innovation, industrial development and digital transformation while setting the stage for the national business dialogue that will take place in Sofia.
The conference provides an excellent opportunity for companies, institutions and investors to exchange ideas, establish strategic partnerships and discuss the future competitiveness of one of Bulgaria's most dynamic economic regions.
The conference serves as the final regional milestone before the Lider.BG National Business Conference in Sofia, where the key conclusions, priorities and strategic recommendations from all regional forums will be presented before government leaders, investors, diplomats and the business community.
Why Attend?
Participants will have the opportunity to:
✔ Meet CEOs and senior executives from leading Bulgarian and international companies
✔ Connect with investors, government institutions and business organisations
✔ Discover investment opportunities in the Varna region
✔ Explore the latest trends in innovation, digital transformation and industrial development
✔ Build valuable business partnerships through executive networking
Participating Companies
The conference will bring together representatives from leading companies across multiple industries, including:
Shell
Up Tombou
TOKI
STAMH
EVN
Lead Vision
Royal Technology & ERP4
Advance
Fortinet
Marsh
Smart Factoring
Hörmann
ELNEXUS
NTZ Transport
The list of participating companies is continuously being updated.
Conference Programme
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
GUEST ARRIVAL, REGISTRATION AND SEATING
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
OFFICIAL OPENING
Master of Ceremonies: Nadia Stanoeva
Welcome Addresses:
Dr Ilin Dimitrov – Minister of Tourism
Krasimir Yakimov – Deputy Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry
Mario Smarkov – Regional Governor of Varna Region
Iliyana Ilieva – Executive Director, Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce
Stefan Sofroniev – Commercial Attaché, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Istanbul (TBC)
Dr Ivaylo Marinov – Head of the Office for Trade and Economic Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria in Romania (TBC)
Bilyana Georgieva – Executive Director, Lider.BG and Member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce
3:20 PM – 3:30 PM
BUSINESS PRESENTATION – SHELL
Gold Sponsor
Your trusted partner in transport cost management - Petar Georgiev, Regional Manager Business Clients
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
PANEL I – INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Panelists:
KAOLIN AD – Simeon Simeonov, Head of Investment
AXIOM – Tsvetelina Aleksandrova, Chief Executive Officer
Advance – Expert Valuations – Yanislav Minchev, Regional manager
Smart Factoring – Tihomir Tihomirov, Head of Sales
Bulgarian Investment Agency (BIA) – Angel Ivanov, Deputy Executive Director
4:00 PM – 4:10 PM
SPECIAL GUEST: PROF. DR EVGENI STANIMIROV
Rector of the University of Economics – Varna
Special Keynote: “Leadership – The Irreplaceability Trap”
4:10 PM – 4:40 PM
PANEL II – INNOVATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Panelists:
STAMH – Vladimir Shokordov, Commercial Director
Up Tombou – Emiliyan Krivachkov, Commercial Director
TOKI – Nikolay Kolev, Corporate Clients Manager
Royal Technology & ERP4.bg – Lyudmil Georgiev, Chief Executive Officer
Lead Vision – Miroslav Petrov, Chief Executive Officer
4:40 PM – 4:50 PM
PRESENTATION BY BULGARIAN PORTS INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY
Kristiyan Bogoev – Director General
“Port of Varna and Varna Ferry Complex – Strategic Infrastructure for Bulgaria’s Economic and Logistics Connectivity”
4:50 PM – 5:15 PM
PANEL III – ECONOMIC CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY
Panelists:
Fortinet – Vladimir Harizanov, Country Manager Bulgaria
EVN – Katya Kirilova, Regional Manager for Northern Bulgaria
Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company – Kristiyan Bogoev, Director General
5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
BUSINESS COCKTAIL & NETWORKING
B2B Meetings • Networking • Corporate Exhibition Stands
About Lider.BG
Lider.BG is an independent Bulgarian business media and organiser of regional and national business conferences dedicated to investment, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development.
Since 2022, the Lider.BG Regional Business Conferences have brought together business leaders, government institutions, municipalities, investors, universities, chambers of commerce and international organisations, creating a nationwide platform for dialogue, partnerships and sustainable economic growth.
The Varna conference represents the final regional forum before the Lider.BG National Business Conference, where the strategic conclusions from all regional events will be presented and discussed at national level.
Registration
Participation is free of charge upon prior registration.
Advance registration is required.
Seats are limited.
Learn more
https://lider.bg/regionalna-biznes-konferencziya-varna-2026/