Encouraging a Europe of Enterprise - European Commission

24th – 26th November 2013Radisson Blu Lietuva Hotel, Vilnius, Lithuania

The 2013 SME Assembly includes the EEPA Winners' Ceremony & European SME Week events

Encouraging a Europe of Enterprise

Organised by theEuropean Commission's Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry & the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

This conference is the principal event of the European SME Week.

Conference programme at a glance

Programme details correct at time of printing. Delegates will be briefed by the organisers on any last minute revisions to the timetable and/or speakers at the event location.

Sunday, 24th November18.00 The European SME Week drinks reception

Monday, 25th November

08.30 Registration and coff ee09.00 Welcome from the Chair09.05 Welcome from Alminas Maciulis, Head of the Offi ce of the Government on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU09.15 Message to the Assembly from President Barroso09.20 Keynote speech: Enhancing the competitiveness of European SMEs; priorities & actions of the Lithuanian Presidency by Evaldas Gustas09.35 An Audit of Progress – How far has the European Union delivered on its commitment to encourage a Europe of Enterprise and ‘Think Small First’?10.15 Question time11.00 Networking coff ee break11.30 The Big Debate: Given the right kind of encouragement, everyone can become a successful entrepreneur13.00 Networking lunch13.00 Presentation of certifi cates to EEPA National Winners (13.00 – 13.30)14.30 Internationalisation Forum – Missions for Growth (14.30 – 16.00) Policy Session 1 – The Financing of Enterprise Policy Session 2 – Doing Business in a Greener Economy Workshop 1 – Improving the Business Environment Workshop 2 – Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship15.30 Policy Session 3 – The Power of Digital Policy Session 4 – Smarter Rules for Enterprise Workshop 3 – Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit Workshop 4 – Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills16.30 Networking & a� ernoon tea Presentations: Innovate to grow - how workplace innovation helps SMEs to be competitive EUROCHAMBRES’ new report on the EC’s use of the SME Test The French Label ‘Enterprise du Patrimoine Vivant’ – designed to make a real diff erence to SMEs 18.00 European Enterprise Promotion Awards – Winners’ Ceremony20.00 Buff et dinner & networking Coaches return guests to hotels (21.00 – 22.30)

Tuesday, 26th November

08.00 For Journalists: Breakfast briefi ng - SBA Country Factsheets European SME Week & EEPA National Co-ordinators’ Breakfast meeting08.30 Registration and coff ee09.00 Welcome from the Chair09.10 Keynote speech by Antonio Tajani09.30 Policy Session 5 – Educating Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Policy Session 6 – Enterprise by Design For journalists: Press Conference with Antonio Tajani & Evaldas Gustas10.30 Networking coff ee break11.00 Challenges for 2014 12.30 Launch of the European Entrepreneurial Region Award by Luc Van den Brande12.45 Networking lunch14.15 Voice of the Entrepreneur SME Envoys Meeting (by invitation – 14.15 – 17.15)15.30 Conclusions by the Assembly Chair & Close Transport to hotels & Vilnius airport

2

A welcome to the 2013 SME Assembly from Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2013 SME Assembly inLithuania. The European Commission and the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council are proud to present a varied programme of keynote speeches, interactive policy sessions, best practice workshops and networking opportunities. The SME Assembly is our yearly gathering of stakeholders in SME policy. It complements the SME Envoy Network that works throughout the year to push forward the implementation of the Small Business Act and it provides the culmination of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards as well as SME Week.

This Assembly will be a hugely signifi cant event in the context of the current European wide search for methods of encouraging economic growth via enterprise. The theme of the 2013 Assembly is “Encouraging a Europe of Enterprise” and its ambition is that each session, whether plenary or policy, celebrates the achievement of the EU and member states so far in doing so; and identifi es the most eff ective means of encouraging enterprise in the future.

Indeed the fi � h anniversary of the Small Business Act is a good moment to take stock of the progress achieved so far and to learn from our successes and from our mistakes. Let’s continue what works well and debate together what needs to be done in 2014 and beyond.

We all agree on the need to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurs; they are our modern heroes who o� en risk everything to turn an idea into a business that creates jobs and wealth. “Thinking Small First” continues to be as important now that we see signs of economic growth. More than 20 million SMEs in the EU need our continuous and unwavering commitment to this principle if they are to survive and thrive in the global economy.

This is why I invite you to exploit every opportunity that presents itself at the Assembly, to listen to the good practices of other organisations, to network with colleagues from other Member States and to present your own experiences and ideas.

Finally, let me thank our co-hosts, in particular my colleague Evaldas Gustas, the Minister for the Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, for their excellent co-operation in the preparation of this Assembly. Let me also thank the Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius for the opening words and European Parliament Vice-President Othmar Karas and other eminent supporters of SMEs, who will be joining us this evening at the Awards Ceremony of the 2013 European Enterprise Promotion Awards.

3

Trumpa konferencijos programa

Galutiniai programos pakeitimai galimi spausdinimo metu. Organizatoriai informuos delegatus apie galimus paskutinius pakeitimus, susijusius su programa ar pranešėjais, prieš pat renginį arba renginio vietoje.

Sekmadienis, lapkričio 24 d.18.00 Europos verslininkystės savaitės baigiamasis renginys

Pirmadienis, lapkričio 25 d.

08.30 Dalyvių registracija. Kava09.00 Renginio moderatoriaus žodis09.05 Vyriausybės kanclerio Almino Mačiulio sveikinimo žodis Ministro Pirmininko Algirdo Butkevičiaus vardu09.15 Europos Komisijos Pirmininko Jose Manuel Barroso sveikinimo žodis (vaizdo įrašas)09.20 Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministro Evaldo Gusto pranešimas „Europos MVĮ konkurencingumo skatinimas: Lietuvos pirmininkavimo prioritetai ir veiksmai“09.35 Pažangos auditas - Europos Sąjungos pasiekta pažanga vykdant savo įsipareigojimą skatinti verslumą Europoje ir visų pirma galvoti apie mažąsias įmones10.15 Klausimai11.00 Kavos pertrauka11.30 Didieji debatai: Tinkamai padrąsintas, kiekvienas gali tapti sėkmingu verslininku13.00 Pietūs 13.00 Sertifi katų įteikimas Europos verslininkystės skatinimo apdovanojimų nacionaliniams laimėtojams (13.00-13.30)14.30 Internacionalizacijos forumas (14.30-16.00) Politikos sesija Nr. 1 – Verslo fi nansavimas Politikos sesija Nr. 2 - Verslas ir žalioji ekonomika Praktinis seminaras Nr. 1 - Verslo aplinkos gerinimas Praktinis seminaras Nr. 2 - Atsakingas ir atviras verslumas15.30 Politikos sesija Nr. 3 - Skaitmeninių technologijų įtaka Politikos sesija Nr. 4 - Pažangus reglamentavimas ir administracinės naštos įmonėms mažinimas Praktinis seminaras Nr. 3 - Verslumo dvasios skatinimas Praktinis seminaras Nr. 4 - Investicijos į įgūdžius16.30 Kavos pertrauka Pristatymai: Inovacijų augimas – kaip naujovės darbo vietose padeda MVĮ būti konkurencingoms EUROCHAMBRES naujos ataskaitos dėl EK MVĮ testo naudojimo pristatymas Prancūzų ženklas „Enterprise due Patrimoine Vivant“ – sukurtas pajusti skirtumą MVĮ18.00 Europos verslininkystės skatinimo apdovanojimų ceremonija20.00 Furšetas Grįžimas į viešbučius (21.00-22.30)

Antradienis, lapkričio 26 d.

08.00 Susitikimas su žurnalistais – “Smulkiojo verslo akto“ ataskaitos pristatymas Europos verslininkystės savaitės ir Europos verslininkystės skatinimo apdovanojimų nacionalinių koordinatorių susitikimas08.30 Dalyvių registracija. Kava09.00 Renginio moderatoriaus žodis09.10 Europos Komisijos Pirmininko pavaduotojo Antonio Tajani pranešimas09.30 Politikos sesija Nr. 5 – Rytdienos verslininkų ugdymas Politikos sesija Nr. 6 – Kūrybiškumo svarba Spaudos konferencija su Antonio Tajani ir Evaldu Gustu10.30 Kavos pertrauka 11.00 2014 metų iššūkiai12.30 Europos regioninio verslumo apdovanojimų pristatymas, dalyvaujant Luc Van den Brande12.45 Pietūs14.15 Jaunųjų verslininkų pasisakymai MVĮ pasiuntinių susitikimas (Įėjimas su pakvietimais – 14.15-17.15)15.30 Moderatoriaus apibendrinimas. Renginio uždarymas

4

Įžanginis ūkio ministro Evaldo Gusto žodis 2013 m. “MVĮ asamblėjai”

Gerbiamieji Svečiai!

Man labai malonu pasveikinti Jus, atvykus į Mažų ir vidutinių įmonių

asamblėją Vilniuje, Lietuvos sostinėje, menančioje viduramžių

kunigaikščių laikus. Viliuosi, kad čia patirsite nuoširdų lietuvišką

svetingumą, susipažinsite su mūsų šalimi ir sostine.

Nuo viduramžių Lietuva kaip valstybė, esanti kryžkelėje tarp Rytų

ir Vakarų, patyrė daugybę sukrėtimų, tačiau išsaugojo savo tautinį

identitetą, kultūrinį paveldą ir įtvirtino savo valstybingumą Vakarų

demokratiniame pasaulyje.

2013 m. antrąjį pusmetį Lietuva pirmą kartą pirmininkauja Europos

Sąjungos Tarybai. Tai didelė atsakomybė, o kartu ir garbė, suteikianti

galimybę prisidėti prie visos Europos piliečių gerovės kūrimo. Tikiu, kad

prie to prisidės ir ši asamblėja.

Mažos ir vidutinės įmonės yra ekonomikos varomoji jėga, turinti esminį

poveikį Europos ūkio raidai ir naujų darbo vietų kūrimui. Todėl turime

garsiai kalbėti apie problemas, su kuriomis susiduria verslas Europoje.

Šios asamblėjos tikslas – skatinti įmonių augimą, atkreipti dėmesį

į jų reikšmę ekonomikai ir jų svarbą Europai atsigaunant po krizės.

Asamblėjos metu taip pat vyks Europos verslininkystės skatinimo

apdovanojimų baigiamasis renginys, Europos verslininkystės savaitės

baigiamasis renginys ir Mažųjų ir vidutinių įmonių pasiuntinių

susitikimas.

Nuoširdžiai tikiu, kad ši asamblėja padės sprendžiant smulkiojo ir

vidutinio verslo problemas ir paskatins diskusijas, reikšmingas visos

Europos Sąjungos konkurencingumo stiprinimui.

Visiems linkiu didžiausios sėkmės ir malonios viešnagės Lietuvoje.

Nuoširdžiai

Evaldas Gustas, ūkio ministras

5

Preface to the Programme by the Minister of Economy, Evaldas Gustas for the 2013 SME Assembly

Dear Guests,

I am very pleased to welcome you to the 2013 SME Assembly

‘Encouraging a Europe of Enterprise’ in the capital city of Lithuania,

Vilnius; a place that reminds us of the times of medieval grand dukes.

I hope that you will experience our genuine Lithuanian hospitality, learn

about our country and see some of the historic capital.

From medieval times Lithuania, as a state located at the crossroads

between east and west, has experienced much trouble and distress and

yet it has retained its national identity, cultural heritage and established

itself in the Western democratic world.

In the second semester of 2013, Lithuania is assuming the Presidency

of the Council of the European Union for the fi rst time. It is a great

honour and responsibility that gives us the opportunity to contribute

to the welfare throughout all of Europe. I believe that the 2013 SME

Assembly will also contribute to this purpose.

The SME sector is the driver of the economy with an essential infl uence

on the development of the European economy and the creation of new

jobs. Therefore, we have to speak out about the problems faced by

businesses in Europe.

The Assembly’s objective is to promote the growth of enterprises and

to pay attention to the importance of SMEs in the recovering European

economy. In the context of this event the European Enterprise Promotion

Awards winners’ ceremony, the principal event of the European SME

week and an SME Envoys’ meeting will also take place.

I sincerely believe that this Assembly will address the problems of

small and medium-sized businesses and encourage discussions that

will contribute to strengthening of the competitiveness of the

European Union.

I wish you all the best of success and a pleasant stay in Lithuania.

Evaldas Gustas,

Minister of Economy

6

Monday, 25th November 2013

09.00 hrs – Alpha RoomWelcome from the ChairBy Edmundas Jakilaitis, Assembly ChairEdmundas Jakilaitis is a professional journalist with more than 17 years experience in television, hosting various TV shows, discussions and debates. Currently he works at LRT, a public broadcaster in Lithuania, as a host of the daily prime time show “Dėmesio centre” (“the focus point”) and also moderates monthly prime time debates programme “Lithuanian economic forum” and weekly entrepreneurship reality show “Lietuva gali” (Lithuanina can make it”). In his career he has exclusively interviewed lots of world leaders including USA President George W. Bush and Yasser Arafat. Edmundas also works as content creator and producer in a television business – he is a partner in the biggest television content production company in the Baltics “TV PLAY”.

09.05 hrs – Alpha RoomA welcome address to the 2013 SME Assembly from Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania and representing the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU, delivered on his behalf by Alminas Maciulis, Head of the Offi ce of the Government.

09.15 hrs – Alpha RoomMessage from José Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission

President Barroso will send a message of support for the work of the Assembly.

09.20 hrs – Alpha RoomKEYNOTE SPEECHEnhancing the competitiveness of European SMEs: priorities and actions of the Lithuanian PresidencyEvaldas Gustas, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania.

Mr Evaldas Gustas will outline the work of the Lithuanian Presidency for the enhancement of SMEs competitiveness, with a strong emphasis on the 5th anniversary of the Small Business Act and the operational environment of SMEs in the Single Market.

Evaldas Gustas was appointed Minister of Economy on 11 June 2013. He had previously held the Chancellor’s post of the Ministry of the Interior. From 2003 until 2009 he was State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior. Since 2001 he has held the position of a Vice-minister of the same Ministry. He has also gained professional experience in the Central Bank of the Republic of Lithuania, Kaunas City Council Board, and held senior positions in some business companies. In 1995 and 2000 he was elected member of Kaunas City Council. Mr Gustas graduated from Kaunas Polytechnic Institute where he obtained his BA in Electronic Engineering. In 2002 he received a master’s degree in public administration from Kaunas University of Technology.

7

09.35 hrs - Alpha RoomAn Audit of ProgressHow far has the European Union delivered on its commitment to encourage a Europe of enterprise and ‘Think Small First’?

In conversation with Andrew Fielding, former adviser to José Manuel Barroso, leading representatives from the EU institutions and the SME European business community will take stock of the progress already achieved by the EU institutions in promoting enterprise and give a focus to the discussions in the rest of the Assembly by identifying priority areas for action.

Gunilla AlmgrenGunilla Almgren was appointed as President of UEAPME on 28 November 2011. She is an entrepreneur in the sanitary fi ttings industry with business contacts all over Europe. She served as First Vice-President of the Board of Företagarna, the Swedish Federation of Private Enterprises. She also sits on the Board of several Swedish business-related organisations as well as private companies. On top of her professional engagements, Ms Almgren has also actively participated in several committees and working groups set up by the European Commission in the past years on issues including better regulation. Ms Almgren holds a Diploma in Business Administration from the IHM Business School and speaks fi ve offi cial EU languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) in addition to her mother tongue.

Othmar Karas MEPOthmar Karas is Vice President of the European Parliament. A graduate of the Universities of Vienna and St. Gallen, he has been a member of the European Parliament since 1999. Previously he was Secretary General of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and a member of the Austrian Parliament. He is currently Head of the ÖVP-Delegation; Rapporteur on Basel III and the revision of the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD 4); President of the Kangaroo Group and President of the SME Intergroup. Among many other important posts he holds are: President of the Austrian Aid Organisation (Hilfswerk Österreich); President of the Robert Schuman Institute Budapest & Vice-President of the Robert Schuman Foundation; member of the national board of ÖVP; and Speaker and Initiator of the Bürgerforum Europa 2020.

Daniel CallejaDaniel Calleja has been Director General of DG Enterprise and Industry since February 2012. He is also the EU SME Envoy. Mr Calleja was previously Deputy Director General of DG Enterprise and Director for Air Transport at the European Commission where he successfully negotiated, on behalf of the EU, the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Between 1999 and 2004, he was Head of Cabinet for the Vice President of the European Commission, responsible for Transport, Energy and Relations with the European Parliament. Mr Calleja is the author of several publications and has lectured in European Law at universities of various Member States. He has a degree in Law and Business Administration from the University of Comillas, Madrid.

Andrew FieldingAndrew Fielding has over 30 years’ experience of the EU policy environment as a European Commission offi cial, as a corporate adviser and with Bruegel, the leading Brussels-based economics think tank. At the Commission, he worked most recently on the single market and labour law at BEPA, the in-house think tank of President Barroso. He was previously spokesman and deputy head of cabinet to Greek commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou. He was educated at Cambridge University and was a Visiting Fellow in EU law at the London School of Economics in 2006-2008.


8


10.15 hrs – Alpha RoomAn Audit of Progress - Question TimeThis session is an opportunity for delegates to ask questions of the keynote speakers.

The session will be moderated by Edmundas Jakilaitis.

11.00 hrs – LobbyNetworking coff ee break

25th – 30th November 2013

Coordinated by the European Commission, European SME Week promotes enterprise across Europe in line with the Small Business Act for Europe.

The aim of European SME Week is to:

• provide information on what the EU and national, regional and local authorities are off ering as support to micro, small and medium-sized businesses;

• promote entrepreneurship so that more people, and in particular younger ones, seriously consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option;

• give recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Europe’s welfare, jobs, innovation and competitiveness.

European SME Week is recognised in 37 countries and events – organised by business organisations, business support providers and national, regional and local authorities – will enable existing companies and potential entrepreneurs to share their experiences and develop themselves further.

For further information, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/sme-week

9

11.30 hrs - Alpha RoomThe Big DebateEurope needs more successful entrepreneurs. But what does it take to become one? Are hard work, grit, determination and creativity enough? Or do governments need to give a helping hand?

Our two teams of experts will debate the motion that:“Given the right kind of encouragement, everyone can become a successful entrepreneur”

At the end of the debate, delegates will be asked to vote as to whether they are for or against the motion.

The Big Debate will be moderated by Edmundas Jakilaitis.

The debating team who believes that everyone can become a successful entrepreneur, given the right kind of encouragement will be:

Professor Thomas CooneyProfessor Thomas Cooney lectures in Entrepreneurship at the Dublin Institute of Technology and is Academic Director of the DIT Institute for Minority Entrepreneurship. He is past-President of the International Council for Small Business, past-President of the European Council for Small Business, Visiting Professor at the University of Turku (Finland), a Board Member of the Irish Research Council, Chair of the ICSB 2014 World Conference and a Board Member of INTRE (Ireland’s Network of Teachers and Researchers in Entrepreneurship). He has researched, presented, and published widely on the topic of entrepreneurship. Further information is available from his website www.thomascooney.com.

Marta Martí CarreraA serial entrepreneur, Marta specialises in shaping emotions. She is currently working on her new start-up Sips of Light; and developing entrepreneurial audio visual production services. She is Vice President of the Spanish Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs and Chair of BUSINESSEUROPE’s ‘Entrepreneurship and SME’ Committee. In 2005, a� er 12 years as the Communications Director at the HERA Group, Marta created Tribu Respira, an internal communication agency focusing on employees’ engagement strategy. Therea� er the Tribu team provides companies with valuable business management tools helping to raise productivity and to bring out the hidden talent of employees. Among her clients are prestigious brands such as; General Cable, Caprabo, Nike Iberia, HERA Holding Group, Corporació Calatana Mitjans Audiovisual and Edizioni Viceversa.

The debating team who believes that everyone can become a successful entrepreneur with or withoutencouragement will be:

Madi SharmaMadi is an entrepreneur who founded and runs the Madi Group, a group of international private sector & not for profi t companies and NGOs. The philosophy is to create innovative ideas tailored to local action which can achieve global impacts benefi cial to a sustainable society. Madi is a member of the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, representing the Employers’ Group. She has also been independently appointed to European Commission Vice–President Antonio Tajani’s Advisory Board for Industry & Enterprise where she represents entrepreneurship.

Peter VesterbackaPeter Vesterbacka is the Chief Marketing Offi cer and Mighty Eagle of Rovio Entertainment Ltd., the creator of the wildly successful Angry Birds franchise and over 50 other games. Peter manages the company’s marketing and business strategy, including expanding Angry Birds into a broader entertainment franchise. He is also the founder of Some Bazaar, a new approach to building and growing new businesses. Prior to Rovio, Peter worked for HP in several communications-industry-related roles. While at HP, Peter founded the HP Mobile E-Services Bazaar, a global innovation and corporate partnership programme that Booz Allen Hamilton declared an industry benchmark. Peter is also Co-founder and the original initiator of MobileMonday. In 2011 Time Magazine recognised Peter as one of the most infl uential people in the World in their TIME 100 Listing.


10

13.00 hrs – Restaurant & Beta RoomNetworking lunchA seated lunch will be provided in the hotel restaurant and Beta Room where there will be ample opportunities for networking.

13.00 hrs – 13.30 hrs – Alpha RoomPresentation of Certifi cates to EEPA National WinnersFamily photos of all national winners of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards will be taken immediately a� er the presentation of certifi cates.

In the a� ernoon, delegates will attend a session that they have previously chosen. • The policy sessions are designed to identify actions that need to be taken to promote enterprise in a specifi ed area,

using a moderated panel of experts with an opportunity to ask questions and debate the answers.

• The workshops are networking sessions designed to allow delegates to exchange best practice and discuss market opportunities in specifi c areas, in an informal ‘tour de table’ format.

14.30 – 16.00 hrs – Alpha RoomInternationalisation Forum In response to the fi nancial crisis, the European Commission redoubled its eff orts in particular to help SMEs get better access to third markets. This session will tell the story of how Missions for Growth, as well as the development of EU Centres abroad and other Commission initiatives have helped European SMEs to fi nd new partners and sell their products or services in new markets. The audience will hear about ambitious new plans to help SMEs internationalise and fi nally, will be able to quiz SMEs from key emerging markets on the opportunities and barriers to doing business with the EU.

On behalf of Vice President Tajani, Mr Daniel Calleja will present the policy initiatives for internationalisation.

Daniel CallejaDaniel Calleja has been Director General of DG Enterprise and Industry since February 2012. He is also the EU SME Envoy. Mr Calleja was previously Deputy Director General of DG Enterprise and Industry and Director for Air Transport at the European Commission where he successfully negotiated, on behalf of the EU, the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Between 1999 and 2004, he was Head of Cabinet for the Vice President of the European Commission, responsible for Transport, Energy and Relations with the European Parliament. Mr Calleja is the author of several publications and has lectured in European Law at universities of various Member States. He has a degree in Law and Business Administration from the University of Comillas, Madrid.

Chris CheungChris Cheung has spent over ten years working in mainland China. Holder of a Master’s degree in Chinese and Business from the University of Leeds, an MBA from the University of Warwick and legal practice diploma from the College of Law in London, he has witnessed fi rst-hand the fast-changing evolution of the emerging Chinese market of the last decade. Chris has built his extensive knowledge of the Chinese market through a wide range of experiences at organizations APCO, Siemens and the China-Britain Business Council. As a China expert, Chris has already advised hundreds of SMEs using his knowledge in an extensive range of business areas. He is currently the Director of the EU SME Centre in Beijing where he leads a dynamic team of 17 in providing reliable and timely advice to EU SMEs.


11

Mindaugas DanysMindaugas Danys is currently serving as Director of Small and Medium Business Department at the Ministry of Economy of Lithuania. Throughout his professional career of over 15 years, he has been carrying out managerial positions related to economic and regional development on municipal and national level. Prior to joining the Ministry of Economy in January 2012, Mindaugas managed his own private consulting company and was actively engaged in social enterprise providing co-working services to start-ups and social innovators. He is a Certifi ed Management Consultant (certifi ed by the Dutch Management Consulting Association). Mindaugas holds a Master degree in Public Administration. His areas of interest include social entrepreneurship, social innovation, start-ups and tactical urbanism.

Giuseppe Pezzini Giuseppe Pezzini is one of Italy’s leading experts in the design and manufacturing of high tech textiles. A� er taking a degree in Economics and Commerce, he became CEO of Pielleitalia of Bergamo, which ranges from clothes merchandising and ready to wear leisure items, through to high performance work clothes and corporate team clothes management. They are leaders in textile products designed and created for Formula 1 and Moto GP. Pielleitalia is a partner of the Solar Impulse brand. Giuseppe Pezzini is also CEO of IDA and a shareholder in Dedalo Esco.

Leena Pishe ThomasLeena has 16 years’ experience in the fi eld of International Business, specialising in the Energy and Environment Sector. Leena joined EBTC as Regional Manager, Bengaluru, in December 2010, to utilise her expertise in the cleantech sector to facilitate EU-India collaboration in business and research. Leena is actively involved in EU SME Internationalisation, Technology Localisation, Research Commercialisation and creation of the fi rst European Technology Experience Centre (ETEC) in India, among other activities. Prior to EBTC, Leena has worked with the former US President Clinton’s Climate Initiative and consulted for USAID, USDOE and private sector organisations.

Chandrakant SalunkheMr. Chandrakant Salunkhe, a fi rst generation entrepreneur, is the Founder and Chairman of the Macro Group of Companies, Mumbai. The group is involved in packaging and industrial products; new technology; industrial automation systems; and business advisory services. Mr. Salunkhe founded both the SME Chamber of India and the Europe - India SME Business Council. He is a Member of the Governor’s Pre-Monetary Policy Review Committee of The Reserve Bank of India.

Suzana Peixoto Silveira Suzana Peixoto Silveira is a specialist at the National Confederation of Industry - Brazil, CNI, and co-ordinates the division of small business policy, which encompasses business development programs and proposals of public policies including the Brazilian regulatory framework for SMEs. She also co-ordinates the Council of Micro and Small Enterprises of CNI and represents CNI at the Cluster Policy Group organised by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of the Brazilian Federal Government. Suzana is an Economist who graduated from the Pontifi cal Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and post-graduated in Business Management.

Wojciech Sopinski Wojciech Sopinski works in the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission. He is a desk offi cer in the Directorate responsible for development of SME policy. He particularly focuses on international dimension of EU SME policy, which includes dialogues with third countries and the establishment of EU business Centers. Wojciech joined the European Commission in 2005, previously working for the Polish Ministry of Regional Development in Warsaw. He holds a Master degree in international relations from University of Lodz, Poland, as well as a Master degree from the European Institute of Public Administration in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Dirk VantyghemDirk Vantyghem is Director of International Aff airs at EUROCHAMBRES, with responsibility for all policy dossiers and programmes linked to EU external relations. He has more than 15 years of experience in international relations, with fi eld experience and networks in practically all regions across the globe. Current key responsibilities include the implementation of EUROCHAMBRES’ Global Europe strategy, the EU trade agenda, neighbourhood policy, and the EU enlargement process. Dirk has an economic background and holds a Masters from the College of Europe.


12

14.30 – 15.30 hrs – Lambda RoomPolicy Session 1The Financing of EnterpriseBanks continue to be reluctant to lend to and invest in SMEs. Credit availability is at its lowest point since the beginning of the credit crunch. Government and institutions are trying to bridge the gap. This session will give delegates an opportunity to hear from the experts on the panel on how the measures to support fi nancing are being implemented and what more must be done to develop alternative sources of fi nance for the growth of enterprise.

A panel of experts followed by Q&A

Arnaldo AbruzziniMr. Abruzzini joined EUROCHAMBRES, the Brussels-based European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in 1999 as Secretary General. EUROCHAMBRES represents more than 2,000 regional and local Chambers with more than 20 million member companies. Previously he founded INTERACTIVE MEDIA and served as a board member till 2010. A native of Italy, Mr. Abruzzini is a graduate in Economy with major in Finance from the Rome University “La Sapienza”.

Cordula GlitznerHead of KfW’s liaison offi ce to the EU in Brussels and responsible for the co-operation with EU institutions as well as with other fi nancing institutions from European countries. Previous to her current position, Cordula has held positions in the Treasury department of KfW’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, which she joined in 1998 a� er a year in export and project fi nance. Work experience includes derivatives trading and management, carbon trading and internal fi nancial market advisory; leading the Emerging Markets project group and responsibility for funding in Asian, Latin American and certain European currencies, as well as Investor Relations. Cordula graduated from the University of Goettingen, Germany with a diploma in macroeconomics.

Bev HurleyA dynamic and inspiring serial entrepreneur, mentor, angel investor and holder of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, Bev Hurley has spent more than 30 years building successful businesses – and sharing her expertise to create and grow others. Bev is passionate about creating a measurable, sustainable impact and legacy.

Marc SchublinBorn in France in 1955, Marc studied Political Sciences and History. He joined the Ministry of Finance in Paris in 1982 (Secretariat General for EU Aff airs) and in 1985, moved to the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg, where he held diff erent positions including Secretary of the Management Committee, Loan Offi cer in charge of Tunisia and Marocco (1988 – 1994) and Deputy Head of the Brussels Offi ce (1994 – 1998). In 2000, he was appointed Head of Division and joined the European Investment Fund (EIF), subsidiary of the EIB in charge of Equity and Guarantees in the EU. Marc is now Director of the Strategic Development & EU Policies Department, in charge of Policy issues, notably with the EC and EIB, the development of new products and research activity.

Moderator:Joanna DrakeJoanna has occupied her present position of Deputy SME Envoy since 2010. Previously Head of the EC Representation in Malta and prior to that Head of the Legal & Regulatory Department of Vodafone Malta Ltd, Joanna has in addition taught and researched law at the University of Malta and studied at the College of Europe, Bruges.


13

14.30 – 15.30 hrs – Zeta RoomPolicy Session 2 – Doing Business in a Greener EconomyThe greening of economies is a major opportunity for new growth in world markets. How can SMEs turn the challenge of a more resource-effi cient, low carbon economy into a business opportunity and how can local, regional, national and European governments best support them?


Professor Dr. Gabriel M. CreanProfessor Gabriel Crean is Vice-President, Technology and Director, Europe of CEAtech, the Division of Technological Research of the French Atomic Energy and Alternatives Energy Commission. He has acted as a consultant for several European member states, playing a key role in the EC High Level Group on Key Enabling Technologies. He is also a member of the EC Mirror Group on Smart Specialisation, advising Commissioner Hahn on Smart Specialisation strategies for Europe’s regions. Professor Crean is a co-founder of three high-technology companies: FireComms; Optical Metrology Innovations; and Biosensia.

Andrius SutnikasAndrius Sutnikas is a communication manager in Klaipeda Science and Technology Park. Since 2009 he has been co-ordinating science and business co-operation projects aimed at supporting the innovation development and implementation in the Klaipeda region. For KSTP the main target markets are Transport, Maritime and Energy. During the last 4 years Andrius has been co-ordinating KSTP performance in 12 international projects that have resulted in numerous business contacts for regional industry; his work also created a productive international business environment for developing new products and services and applied innovation in the fi elds of geothermal energy, ship building and repair and marine uses.

Alex ZylberbergAlex Zylberberg is an engineer with a background in internationalisation and export, and a strong interest in green technologies. He currently serves as a director at Jeven, a European-wide SME that develops and manufactures energy-saving ventilation technologies. For instance, Jeven’s solutions make heat recovery possible in places where it was not possible or viable before. They also allow extraction fans to operate on less power. Alex’s main role is to take these innovations to new countries and markets.

Moderator:Marco MalacarneMarco Malacarne is Head of the Unit “SMEs: Clusters and Emerging Industries” within the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission (Brussels). Until mid-2013, he occupied a number of management positions in the Directorate for Aerospace, Maritime, Security and Defence Industries. Marco holds a Dr.Phil from Oxford University. He started working for the European Commission in 1984 as a physicist in the UK, and then moved to Brussels, DG Research, in 1989, where he was involved in the setting up and further development of the European Programme for Research Infrastructures.


14

14.30 – 15.30 hrs – Eta RoomWorkshop Session 1 – Improving the Business EnvironmentThis networking session will allow delegates to exchange best practice and discuss market opportunities, in an informal ‘tour de table’ format.

Facilitator:Tom HayesTom Hayes is Divisional Manager in Enterprise Ireland responsible for Micro Enterprise and Small Business and he also manages the organisation’s network of regional offi ces. Tom previously managed the HPSU Division with responsibility for delivering a yearly target of new High Potential Start-Up companies. He has wide ranging public and private sector business experience, having worked with industrial, manufacturing and food companies. He also has international experience, spending six years in Madrid managing the Spanish and Portuguese markets on behalf of the Irish Trade Board. Tom is a member of Enterprise Ireland’s Research and Development Fund Committee, on the Board of the Eircom Venture Fund and graduated from the College of Commerce and Trinity College.

14.30 – 15.30 hrs –Epsilon RoomWorkshop Session 2 – Responsible & Inclusive EntrepreneurshipThis networking session will allow delegates to exchange best practice and discuss market opportunities, in an informal ‘tour de table’ format

Facilitator:Nick SmallCouncillor Nick Small is the Chair of the Economic Development Forum of EUROCITIES and a Cabinet Member (Vice Mayor) for Employment, Enterprise & Skills in Liverpool, UK. Nick is also a Director of Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development agency and Liverpool Science Park and a governor of Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool Community College. Born and raised in Liverpool, he graduated with an MA in Politics from the University of Edinburgh and has an MBA in Business Finance and Management from the University of Liverpool. Nick worked as a management consultant for 11 years for Grant Thornton and KPMG, specialising in the fi nancial sector.

15.30 – 16.30 hrs – Lambda RoomPolicy Session 3 – The Power of DigitalTechnology intensive SMEs grow and export twice as much as others and create twice the number of jobs. Our experts will debate which priority measures need to be taken by the EU and the member states to help SMEs access the digital economy generally and key measures to help SMEs go online specifi cally.


Jan BarnesJan Barnes is Senior Manager Government Relations EU for eBay Inc. Jan’s expertise includes Trade, SMEs, and Consumer-related policy. Prior to joining eBay, Jan was the Europe Director for the European-American Business Council, focusing on international and transatlantic issues aff ecting every major business sector. Before that, Jan was a consultant managing the EU-related activities of several clients, including the European Small Business Alliance. Jan holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and a BA from University College London.


15

Isidro LasoMr Laso Ballesteros had his fi rst taste of entrepreneurship at university, where he created a junior enterprise. A� er graduating as an Engineer from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, he worked with Geographic Information Systems before becoming a strategic consultant to high-level CEO executives, mainly in the telco and media sectors. Moving into the ICT sector, he worked on research projects related to Workfl ow Management Systems and Internet Collaboration Systems, giving him the opportunity to off er change management projects to customers to complement traditional ICT projects. A� er spending fi ve months at the Ministries in Spain, he was seconded to the European Commission as a National Expert. Since then, Laso has managed research projects and dra� ed research strategy objectives and from 2010 has focused on creating a new endeavour within the EU institutions related to tech start-ups including the Startup Europe initiative. Isidro has written several books and papers and is policy fellow at Cambridge University as of June 2013.

Pat PhelanOne of Ireland’s best-known serial entrepreneurs, Pat Phelan is recognised across the globe as one of the most connected men in the technology industry. Over the past 15 years he has built a number of successful businesses in the internet, mobile and telecoms sectors. At Trustev, Pat drives a no-nonsense, focused approach to business operations, to deliver measurable results for customers, partners and investors. He believes strongly in partnerships and personal relationships in doing business. Winner of a number of prominent innovation awards including being named the 2008 IIA Net Visionary Award, Pat is a well-known advocate for technology startups and a frequent judge and mentor for many national and international startup programmes. Trustev was recently named the Top Technology Startup in Europe by the EU Commission.

Cristiano RadaelliVice President of Confi ndustria Digitale and President of Anitec, the Italian ICT organisation, Cristiano is a Member of the Executive Board of DigitalEurope. He began his career in GTE, moving to Siemens, Italtel and Nokia Siemens Networks, having global management responsibilities in R&D, Operations, Sales and Business Administration. Cristiano has worked for several years in the United States and has written articles on economics, management and digital agenda. He is married with three children and graduated in Nuclear Engineering, Quantum Electronics at Politecnico of Milano. He also attended a biennial course in Business Administration at the Master Division of Bocconi University.

Moderator:Christian WeinbergerChristian Weinberger joined the Commission Services in 1999 to work on technical harmonisation in the Common Market, using the New Approach with CE-marking and harmonized EN Standards. In 2003 he was appointed Head of Unit dealing with Entrepreneurship policy, in particular the Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the European Charter for Small Businesses, by elaborating recommendations and identifying and disseminating good practices. In 2008 he was named Entrepreneurship and SME Policy Advisor in DG Enterprise and Industry. Currently he is Senior Adviser in DG Entreprise and Industry. Before joining the European Commission, Christian Weinberger worked for 10 years with a large multinational corporation in Marketing, Sales, Finance and Special Business Operations in various countries and at their European HQ and then co-founded an international SME in Information Technology and was its CEO for 9 years. Being a native Austrian, Dr. Christian Weinberger holds a Master of Physics in Engineering, an MBA and a Ph.D. in Economics.

15.30 – 16.30 hrs – Zeta RoomPolicy Session 4 – Smarter Rules for EnterpriseSMEs are disproportionately aff ected by rules and red tape strangles enterprise. Two familiar refrains that are nonetheless true which is why the European Commission has stepped up its eff orts to scrap unnecessary rules and to vet new rules for their impact on smaller businesses. Our experts will debate the impact of micro exemptions; SME tests; and impact assessments in general on businesses on the ground.



16

Policy Session 4 – Smarter Rules for EnterpriseErik AkseErik Akse is a Smart Regulation expert. He has worked on numerous Impact Assessments at the European Commission, he also has advised many stakeholders on how to eff ectively engage in Impact Assessments. Mr Akse has been implementing simplifi cation and administrative burden reduction policies for over ten years, both on national and EU level. He is currently working as an author, trainer, coach and consultant. He recently published his book ‘Infl uencing the Preparation of EU Legislation: A Practical Guide to Working with Impact Assessments’. This book is an essential guide for anyone with an interest in shaping EU legislation.

Ben ButtersBen Butters has been the EU Aff airs Director for EUROCHAMBRES, the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, since 2008. He covers a wide range of policy issues at EU level that are of relevance to Chambers and the European business community, including education & training, energy, the internal market, enterprise, regulatory and economic reform and innovation. Ben has degrees in Business Administration and European Politics. He worked in publishing before moving to Brussels, where he gained experience in the European Commission, the European Parliament and as a project manager for a European innovation network. Immediately prior to joining EUROCHAMBRES, Ben was the founding director of an organisation delivering EU advocacy services to UK business organisations.

Chris CarrChris Carr (47) is Joint Managing Director of Carr & Carr (Builders) Ltd. Carr & Carr are a SME housing developer based on the east coast of England in the sea side town of Cleethorpes. The company has been in business for nearly 100 years and as well as building many new homes around the North East Lincolnshire area, has also carried out specialist contracting work on Listed Buildings and schools. Chris is Chairman of the Federation of Master Builders, Home Builders Group and also sits on the FMB’s Yorkshire & Trent Region Committee. Chris has been married to Rachel for over 21 years and has two grown up children.

Andreas HerdinaAndreas Herdina graduated from Innsbruck University in 1976 with a Doctorate of Law. In 1987, he joined the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, serving in the embassies in Islamabad and Tokyo; the Permanent Mission to the United Nations; and the Offi ce of the High Representative in Bosnia & Herzegovina. In 1999 he joined the services of the European Commission, being involved in the Lithuanian accession negotiations. Dr Herdina is now Director of Cooperation at the European Chemicals Agency; Chair of HelpNet & of the Risk Communication Network; and is the Agency’s “SME Ambassador”.

Lorna Schrefl erDr Lorna Schrefl er is Research Fellow and Head of Regulatory Policy at CEPS. Lorna co-authored several evaluations and impact assessments on specifi c legal and economic issues for EU institutions, including the recent cumulative cost assessments for the steel and aluminium industry (European Commission, DG ENTR) and a study on social impact assessment (DG EMPL). Lorna provided expertise and technical assistance to the European Commission for coaching, training and the development of guidance materials on impact assessment. She holds a PhD in Politics (University of Exeter), an MA in European Public Aff airs (University of Maastricht and EIPA), and a MSc in Economics (University of Venice).

Moderator:Jonathon StoodleyJonathan has a Bachelors degree in English law and a Masters and Doctorate in public International law. Prior to the European Commission, he worked for the UK Parliament and the former UK Department of Trade and Industry. His career at the Commission has included roles in the Internal Market Directorate General; the European Delegation to the International Organisations in Geneva; and the Secretariat General where he was Head of Unit in charge of the application of EU law and is now in charge of evaluation and simplifi cation of regulation.


17

15.30 – 16.30 hrs – Eta RoomWorkshop Session 3 – Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit

This networking session will allow delegates to exchange best practice and discuss market opportunities, in an informal ‘tour de table’ format.

Facilitator:Anders LundströmAnders Lundström is Professor in Business Administration at Mid Sweden University. His current research interests are policies for entrepreneurship and social innovation, areas in which he chaired three world conferences. He has been president of ICSB (International Council of Small Business), a worldwide network in small business and entrepreneurship.

15.30 – 16.30 hrs – Epsilon RoomWorkshop Session 4 – Investing in Entrepreneurial SkillsThis networking session will allow delegates to exchange best practice and discuss market opportunities, in an informal ‘tour de table’ format.

Facilitator:Thomas WobbenThomas Wobben was born in Germany. A� er studying Economics and Politics he worked for voluntary sector organisations. In 1993 he joined the European policy services of the Land Saxony-Anhalt and in 1995 he began working in the Liaison Offi ce of Saxony-Anhalt in Brussels taking over as Director in 2000. Since March 2012 he has been Director for Horizontal Policies and Networks at the Committee of the Regions.

16.30 – 18.00 hrs – Lobby Networking and a� ernoon tea

16.30 hrs – Eta RoomPresentation: Innovate to grow - how workplace innovation helps SMEs to be competitiveInnovation, including non-technological, is important for SMEs. Workplace innovations create and sustain competitive advantage by changing organisational structures, work processes, decision making and HR practices in ways that enable employees to use their full potential. Enterprises that invest in workplace innovation are more responsive to the needs of clients and stakeholders. Big business o� en recognises that non-technological innovations lie at the heart of their competitiveness, yet the evidence suggests that managers and owners of SMEs are less aware of the importance of workplace innovation, and that they lack suffi cient knowledge and guidance. Come and see how to change that!

Presentation by: Peter Totterdill, European Workplace Innovation Network


18

16.30 hrs – Zeta RoomPresentation: EUROCHAMBRES’ new report on the EC’s use of the SME TestEUROCHAMBRES has been investigating the impact of the SME test on 14 legislative dossiers relevant to the SME community over the period October 2011-June 2013. This second SME Test Benchmark will show whether recent Commission impact assessments have integrated the specifi c consideration of SMEs in legislative proposals and how the new rule on micro-enterprises exemptions has been applied.

Presentation by: Ben Butters & Typhaine Beaupérin, EUROCHAMBRES

16.30 hrs – Epsilon RoomPresentation: ‘The French Label ‘Enterprise du Patrimoine Vivant’ (EPV): Designed to make a real diff erence to SMEs The Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label was set up by the French Government in 2006 to recognise and support French companies with excellent artisanal and industrial expertise. Such unique SMEs are essential in Europe because they successfully combine tradition and innovation; expertise and creation; work and passion; the past and the future; international and local orientation.

Presentation by: Alexis Govciyan, ISM and Martial Georget, DGCIS

18.00 – 20.00 hrs – Alpha RoomEuropean Enterprise Promotion Awards – Winners’CeremonyThe awards ceremony sees the culmination of the 2013 programme when the winners in each of the six categories and the winner of the Grand Jury Prize will receive their trophies.

The European Enterprise Promotion Awards reward excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at a national, regional and local level. In 2013, 317 projects competed in national competitions for a chance to enter the awards. 53 national winners were entered into the European competition and the Jury has established a shortlist of 19 nominees.

The following awards will be presented:

Special presentation to the Lithunian National Winners

Category 1 - Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Category 2 - Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills

Category 3 - Improving the Business Environment

Category 4 - Supporting the Internationalisation of Business

Category 5 - Supporting the Development of Green Markets & Resource Effi ciency

Category 6 - Responsible & Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Grand Jury Prize

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Madi Sharma.

20.00 – 22.00 hrs – Lobby & Beta RoomBuff et Dinner & Networking


19

08.00 – 09.00 hrs – Lambda RoomFor Journalists: Breakfast Briefi ngSBA Country FactsheetsDaniel Calleja, SME Envoy, Director General & Costas Andropoulos, Head of Unit, DG Enterprise & Industry

DG Enterprise and Industry will unveil their annual Small Business Act (SBA) factsheets, which assess Member States’ performance in implementing the SBA. At this session, journalists will be briefed on the 2013 factsheets and will be given an opportunity to pose questions about the results.

08.00 – 09.00 hrs – Zeta RoomBreakfast Meeting for SME Week & EEPA National Co-ordinatorsAn opportunity for SME and EEPA coordinators to network with each other and share best practice and ideas about integrating the promotion of these two important programmes.

09.00 hrs – Alpha RoomWelcome from the ChairBy Edmundas Jakilaitis, Assembly ChairEdmundas Jakilaitis is a professional journalist with more than 17 years experience in television, hosting various TV shows, discussions and debates. Currently he works at LRT, a public broadcaster in Lithuania, as a host of the daily prime time show “Dėmesio centre” (“the focus point”) and also moderates monthly prime time debates programme “Lithuanian economic forum” and weekly entrepreneurship reality show “Lietuva gali” (Lithuanina can make it”). In his career he has exclusively interviewed lots of world leaders including USA President George W. Bush and Yasser Arafat. Edmundas also works as content creator and producer in a television business – he is a partner in the biggest television content production company in the Baltics “TV PLAY”.

09.10 hrs – Alpha RoomKEYNOTE SPEECHVice President Tajani will present his vision of SME policy in the light of the economic situation.

Antonio TajaniAntonio Tajani is European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, a position held since February 2010. Prior to this, from May 2008, he was Commissioner in charge of Transport. He began his early career as an offi cer and radar controller in the Italian Air Force, following which he carved a career in journalism, both broadcast and print, which culminated in him running the Rome editorial offi ce of the Italian daily ‘Il Giornale’. In 1994, he was one of the founders of the Forza Italia party, who he represented in the European Parliament from 1994 to 2008 and headed its delegation from 1999 to 2008. During his 15 years as an MEP, he sat on the Foreign Aff airs, Constitutional Aff airs and Transport Committees. He was also a member of the Convention which dra� ed the European Constitution that became the Lisbon Treaty. Antonio Tajani was born in Rome on 4th August 1953. He is married with two children and holds a degree in Law from Sapienza University.

Tuesday, 26th November 2013

20

Tuesday,26th November 2013

09.30 hrs – Alpha RoomPolicy Session 5 – Educating the Entrepreneurs of TomorrowEntrepreneurship education is high on the agenda in many EU Member States and a wide variety of programmes and activities exist across Europe to educate a new generation of entrepreneurs. Which have the most impact and how can these initiatives be rolled out more systematically?

Panel of experts followed by Q&A.

Nerijus Pačėsa Nerijus Pačėsa is President of ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania. He is also a Vice Chair on the Board of American Chamber of Commerce, Board member of Knowledge Economy Forum (KEF) and State Study Fund. He serves on the Progress Council advising the Prime Minister and is expert to the National Education Management bodies. Having over 10 years’ business experience, he has published more than 15 publications on management and entrepreneurship topics. Nerijus Pačėsa holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences (Management) from Faculty of Business and Economics at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania, with key qualifi cations in Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship and Organisational Design.

Dražen ProsA graduate in Economics and Business Adminstration, specialising in retail marketing, Dražen Pros worked fi rst in the private sector as part of Sales and Marketing before becoming CEO of Lukaps - ACG Europe. His political career started as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Deputy Mayor of the City of Koprivnica. From 2009 to 2012 he was a Member of the City Management for the Economy, Entrepreneurship and European Integration. He became Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cra� s in 2009. He is currently the Croatian SME Envoy.

Ekim SincerEkim Sincer is a senior policy advisor at the Department for Enterprise at the Ministry of Economic Aff airs in the Netherlands. She is responsible for policy on entrepreneurship education (in co-operation with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and executed by NL Agency) and on eco-systems for (fast) growing fi rms. Ekim represents the Netherlands in the Thematic Working Group on Entrepreneurship Education of the European Commission. A� er graduation from the Erasmus University as an economist, she worked for two years as a consultant at Ecorys Holding and worked on labour market and education issues.

Riccardo ViaggiRiccardo Viaggi was nominated Secretary General of the European Builders Confederation in 2009; prior to this, he was in charge of European projects for EBC. During those 2 years as project manager, he was the initiator of several successful project initiatives in diff erent European policy fi elds, such as energy effi ciency and renewables, social dialogue and mobility of apprentices. As the EBC Secretary General, he represents construction cra� s and SMEs of the national affi liates of EBC in Brussels. He sits within relevant SME associations as UEAPME and Normapme as well as other stakeholders’ bodies including the European Standing Committee for Construction, the Build-Up community, the European social dialogue committee for construction and WorldSkills Europe. Riccardo is 31 years old and earned his master degree in international relations and diplomacy from the University of Bologna in March 2006 a� er completing parts of his studies in Switzerland, France and the United States.

21

Moderator:Marko CuravićSince May 2009, Marko Curavić has been the Head of the Unit “Entrepreneurship” in DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission. He has been engaged in the deregulation of start-up and bankruptcy procedures in the EU Member States, the establishment of the entrepreneurs’ European exchange programme Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, the promotion of entrepreneurial education and the support of female entrepreneurs. Currently, his Unit is working on the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan, an EU initiative to boost entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial culture in Europe. Before joining the European Commission, Marko worked inter alia for the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) in Istanbul/Turkey, T-Croatian Telecommunications (Deutsche Telekom Group) in Zagreb, Croatia and with McKinsey & Company, in Munich, Germany. His main areas of professional interest are entrepreneurship, venture fi nancing, management and development economics. Marko holds a degree in business administration from the Freie Universität Berlin and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.

09.30 hrs – Zeta RoomPolicy Session 6 – Enterprise by DesignDesign driven innovation can be a competitive asset for SMEs, creating higher value products or services, improving productivity and resource effi ciency. The session will debate the most eff ective ways of making design central to SME growth generally and specifi cally integrating design into their everyday processes.

Panel of experts followed by Q&A.

Taco CarlierTaco Carlier is an industrial designer and serial entrepreneur. Together with his brother he founded a VANMOOF, a company that pursues only one goal: to help the ambitious city dweller worldwide move around town fast, confi dent and in style. They stripped the traditional Dutch bike from redundant hoo-ha that can only break or frustrate and added sensibility instead. The result? Simplistic striking bikes so smooth that they fi t your style demands, yet so functional they make you go to work whistling. The no-nonsense VANMOOF bike is the ultimate urban commuter tool, anywhere around the globe. VANMOOF sells bikes in more than 40 countries and has offi ces in Amsterdam, Taipei and New York.

Deborah DawtonDeborah graduated in Industrial Design, from the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, but chose to follow a career as a design advocate. In 2003, Deborah joined the Design Business Association as CEO, where she has spoken extensively on subjects relating to design consultancy practice and the measurable impact of design in business to international design and business audiences. Deborah was elected President of the Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA) for two years until March 2013, and is a member the European Design Leadership Board, an expert group of design advisors to the Commission.

Gerin TrautenbergerGerin Trautenberger (BA Hons) is founder and CEO of Microgiants Industrial Design. Besides his work in design management and strategic consulting, Gerin is trained for product and furniture design. He is Vice President of the Austrian creative industries platform Creativ Wirtscha� Austria (www.creativwirtscha� .at) at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber since 2009. From 2011 to 2012 Gerin was UEAPME representative on the Design Innovation - Leadership Board, which consulted the European Commission on innovation in the design sector and issued a report on “Design for Growth and Prosperity”.”

Moderator:Mark NicklasMark Nicklas is the Deputy Head of Unit, Innovation Policy for Growth in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. In his current role, he is developing initiatives to foster the uptake of innovation in Europe. Prior to that, he was closely involved in the development of the European SME agenda as the Assistant to the European SME Envoy and Director-General for Enterprise and Industry. From 2003 to 2010, Mr Nicklas was dealing with the liberalisation of international air transport. Before joining the European Commission in 2003, he was a project manager in the telecommunications industry in Germany. Mr Nicklas has a Ph.D. in Economics.


22


10.30 hrs – LobbyNetworking coff ee break

11.00 hrs – Alpha RoomChallenges for 2014This session is an opportunity for delegates to hear in summary the deliberations and action points arising from the policy sessions and workshops, presented by Mr Costas Andropoulos. With these conclusions in mind, the SME Envoys from the Troika of Presidencies will share their ambitions for enterprise and SME growth and the key challenges they believe Government must meet in 2014. The session will be moderated by Daniel Calleja, EU SME Envoy.

Costas Andropoulos Costas Andropoulos graduated from York University (Canada) with a Masters in Economics and in Project Evaluation Techniques and Regulation. He joined the European Commission in 1981, spending fi � een years in DG Competition dealing with state aid issues (including a secondment to the Greek Ministry of Industry). In 1996 he joined DG Enterprise and Industry, where he is currently in charge of the unit dealing with the implementation of the Small Business Act and SME policies.

Mindaugas DanysMindaugas Danys is currently serving as Director of Small and Medium Business Department at the Ministry of Economy of Lithuania. Throughout his professional career of over 15 years, he has been carrying out managerial positions related to economic and regional development on municipal and national level. Prior to joining the Ministry of Economy in January 2012, Mindaugas managed his own private consulting company and was actively engaged in social enterprise providing co-working services to start-ups and social innovators. He is a Certifi ed Management Consultant (certifi ed by the Dutch Management Consulting Association). Mindaugas holds a Master degree in Public Administration. His areas of interest include social entrepreneurship, social innovation, start-ups and tactical urbanism.

Giuseppe TripoliGuiseppe, a graduate in Law, was born in Catania and is married with 3 children. He was appointed Head of Department for Enterprises and the Internationalisation within the Ministry for Economical Development in May 2009 and has been SME Envoy for Italy since February 2011. In March 2012, he was also appointed Italian Guarantor for micro and SME businesses by the Premier Mario Monti. Guiseppe’s previous experience covers the chambers of commerce system, serving from 2001 to 2009 as General Secretary of Unioncamere and having responsiblity for internationalisation as EUROCHAMBRES component. Between 1999 and 2001, he was deputy General Secretary of Confcommercio, responsible for the modernisation of the distributive sector, territorial policies and for the negotiated programming and the structural funds.

Dionysios TsagkrisIn November 2010, Dionysios Tsagkris was appointed Director on SMEs policy development. He represents Greece on the Enterprise Policy Group (EPG) – Directors General for Industry in EU and has previously worked as a special advisor to the Greek Minister of Education. Between 1997 and 2002, he was Senior Expert, detached from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Technology, to the Greek Permanent Representation of the European Union in Brussels. He represented Greece in the Industry Committee and the Working Group on SMEs at OECD Level. Mr Tsagkris holds a BA degree in Economics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master Degree in Economics from University of Manitoba in Canada.

Moderated by Daniel CallejaDaniel Calleja has been Director General of DG Enterprise and Industry since February 2012. He is also the EU SME Envoy. Mr Calleja was previously Deputy Director General of DG Enterprise and Industry and Director for Air Transport at the European Commission where he successfully negotiated, on behalf of the EU, the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Between 1999 and 2004, he was Head of Cabinet for the Vice President of the European Commission, responsible for Transport, Energy and Relations with the European Parliament. Mr Calleja is the author of several publications and has lectured in European Law at universities of various Member States. He has a degree in Law and Business Administration from the University of Comillas, Madrid.

23

12.30 hrs – Alpha RoomLaunch of the European Entrepreneurial Region Award

by Luc Van den Brande, Vice President of the Committee of the Regions and Chairman of the Flemish-European Liaison Agency.

12.45 hrsNetworking lunch

14.15 hrs – Alpha RoomVoice of the EntrepreneurInterviews (recorded and live) with European entrepreneurs talking about the challenges and benefi ts of building an enterprise in the twenty fi rst century.

Serge Bischoff Dr. Serge Bischoff is co-founder and President of Rhenovia Pharma (Mulhouse, France, 2007), a highly innovative biotech SME developing biosimulators to boost the search for new medicines in neurodegenerative diseases and reduce laboratory animals. In 2013, Rhenovia’s revolutionary transdermal patch became a Eureka Success Story. With a PhD in neurobiology, Serge spent 24 years in the big pharma industry: Sanofi (France) and Novartis (Switzerland) where he occupied managerial functions in Drug Discovery in brain diseases. Awarded Novartis Leading Scientist (1999), laureate of the French Competition of Creation of Enterprises (2007) and Entrepreneur of Excellence by OSEO (2010-11-12-13), he is author of 80 scientifi c publications.

Živilė GlaveckaitėŽivilė Glaveckaitė is founder and Chief-in-Editor of business journal “bzn start” and a professor at the International Business School of Vilnius University and the University of Applied Social Sciences in Lithuania. Her focus is on entrepreneurship education, business condition, economy, enterprise management and her work experience covers entrepreneurship promotion strategy, events organizing, business environment and Public–Private Partnership (PPP). From 2007 – 2011, Živilė worked at the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy where her role included being the National SME representative and co-ordinator of the National SME Week.

Marius Jovaiša Marius Jovaiša was born in Vilnius in 1973. Since his young days, he was deeply interested in videography and photography, especially aerial photography. From 1994, Marius worked in marketing communications where he established and ran several creative, media and public relations agency networks in the Baltics. In 2008, Marius published his biggest selling book so far, “Unseen Lithuania”. This book has now sold over 100,000 copies, been printed in 11 languages and was awarded a medal for distinguished services to the country by the President of Lithuania. In addition, Marius’ has had personal photo exhibitions shown in almost twenty countries including Australia, Japan, Canada, Argentina, USA, Cuba, France and others. In 2010 he published his second aerial photography book “Heavenly Belize”, in 2011 his third book “Magic Cancun & Riviera Maya” and in 2012 his fourth, “Heavenly Yucatan”. Since 2010, Marius Jovaiša has been working in Cuba to become the fi rst author in the world to be granted permission to fl y and take pictures of Cuba and produce an aerial photography album “Arriba Cuba” (“Above Cuba”).

Christian MüllerChristian Müller was appointed vice-president of the German Central Association of Opticians in 2010, representing the political and economic interests of the industry. He has owned Saarner Optik in Mülheim-Saarn since 1986 and in 2002 was appointed chairman of the Rhein Ruhr Guild, swi� ly moving on to chair the regional North Rhine Guild in 2007. He has been vice chair of the German Central Association of Opticians since 2009. Müller is also active on the association’s committee for business management, as well as sitting on the examination board for optician cra� smanship in the Düsseldorf Chamber of Cra� s.


24


Ramon SuarezRamon Suarez is the founder of the Betacowork co-working space in Brussels, a hub for entrepreneurs and professionals. He actively promotes tech startups in Belgium as a board member of Betagroup (the largest tech network with 7000 members), Startups.be (an umbrella organization that brings together the entities that help tech entrepreneurs in Belgium), and Global Entrepreneurship Week Belgium (a week to celebrate and promote entrepreneurship). He speaks regularly at international conferences, namely about co-working and tech entrepreneurship. Ramon also blogs as the correspondent of Loogic, the leading Spanish blog about web entrepreneurship. He has 15 years experience in marketing and communication and is among the top 10 Twitter tech infl uencers in the country according to DataNews.

Rytis VitkauskasRytis is co-founder and CEO of YPlan, the world’s fi rst mobile-only event booking app. Previously, he was Vice President at Summit Partners, responsible for so� ware and technology investments from 2008-2011. Rytis started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 14, founding his business in computer assembly, repair and network maintenance in Lithuania. Rytis holds a BA with distinction (top 5%) in Integrated Social Sciences from Jacobs University and an MBA with distinction (top 7%) from Harvard Business School. Rytis is also a published author of two books, and organiser/mentor of several youth mentorship programmes.

14.15 – 17.15 hrs – Lambda RoomSME Envoys’ Network Meeting (by invitation)

15.30 hrs – Alpha RoomConclusions from the Assembly Chair

Edmundas Jakilaitis will provide conclusions from the meeting.

15.45 hrs Close of the 2013 SME Assembly

25

The SME Assembly and European Enterprise Promotion Awards Ceremony will be fi lmed and photographed for consultation and promotional purposes. Delegates accepting to participate will be deemed to have given their consent to the resulting images appearing in printed and digital media a� er the event where individuals are not specifi cally identifi ed.

This European Commission/Lithuanian Presidency conference programme has been

jointly developed by the SME Assembly and European Enterprise Promotion Awards

Secretariat formed by Low Associates (international policy events specialists) and Hanover

(international communications consultancy); two SMEs proud to be helping other European

SMEs grow.

General Information

The 2013 SME Assembly and European Enterprise Promotion Awards Ceremony will take place at:

Radisson Blu Hotel LietuvaKonstitucijos pr. 20LT - 09308 VilniusLithuaniaTel: +370 5 272 6272Fax: +370 5 272 6270Email: [email protected]

TransportBus transport will be provided for all delegates from their hotels to the conference venues (Radisson Lietuva and Merchant’s Club) and to the airport from Sunday 24th until Wednesday 27th November.

Delegates departing from Vilnius immediately a� er the conference on Tuesday 26th November may use the luggage storage facility at the Radisson Hotel.

LanguageSimultaneous interpretation for the SME Assembly and the European Enterprise Promotion Awards Ceremony will be provided by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Interpretation. Interpretation for the plenary sessions and for the Internationalisation Forum will be provided in English, Lithuanian, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Interpretation for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony will be in English and Lithuanian.

WiFi is available free throughout the conference centre without an access code.

Join the discussion and talk about the SME AssemblyEnter: #GoEnterPRIZE

Or connect with usTwitter.com@eepa_de (German)@eepa_en (English)@eepa_es (Spanish)@eepa_fr (French)@eepa_it (Italian)

Facebook.com/European.Enterprise.Promotion.Awards

YouTube.com/PromotingEnterprise

26

The 2014 European Enterprise Promotion Awards will be launched in early 2014.The awards ceremony will take place during the 2014 SME Assembly in Naples under the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Please check the EEPA website, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more details.

27

Encouraging a Europe of Enterprise - European Commission

Documents