On January 29, a roundtable discussion titled Slovenia, Where Do Your Brands Come From? was successfully held at the Alpe-Adria Fair, organized by The Slovenia and Slovenika. The event attracted numerous visitors and esteemed experts who discussed the importance of national identity and the role and future of Slovenian brands in a broader economic and social context.
In-Depth Discussion on Slovenia as a Brand
In the first part of the event, renowned experts from various industries, including Polona Prešeren from I Feel Slovenia, Anja Zorko, Head of the Center for Creativity at MAO, Livija Kovač Kostantinovič from the Slovenian Tourist Board, Tomaž Jontes from the Slovenian Olympic Committee, dr. Tanja Lešnik Štuhec from Izvorno Slovensko, and Niko Slavnič from The Slovenia, debated how to better establish Slovenia as a brand and make it more recognizable both domestically and internationally.
Participants highlighted key challenges and opportunities for improving Slovenia’s visibility, not only in tourism but also in other sectors. Special emphasis was placed on how coordinated communication and collaboration can contribute to a clearer and more recognizable image of the country.
Slovenian Brands as Carriers of Identity
The second part of the event focused on the presentation of successful Slovenian brands and their contribution to shaping national identity. Entrepreneurs and creators shared their experiences in integrating tradition, innovation, and sustainable practices into their brands. The discussion underscored the importance of cooperation between businesses and institutions and the need for broader networking to achieve greater international recognition.
The roundtable featured distinguished experts and representatives of Slovenian brands, including Drago Bulc from the Slovenian Travel Writers Association, Tatjana Sirar Kos from Piranske soline, Špela Smuk, project manager of Dobrote Dolenjske, Marko Miladović from JUS Project, Katarina Karlovšek, author of the Slovenian Ornament project, and Niko Slavnič from Slovenika.
Positive Feedback and Next Steps
The event received excellent feedback from participants, who praised the quality of the discussion and networking opportunities. The organizers, The Slovenia and Slovenika, expressed their satisfaction with the success of the event and announced new initiatives to further promote Slovenian brands and strengthen national identity.
The Alpe-Adria Fair once again proved its role as a key hub for discussions on the future of tourism, economy, and branding in the region. As one of the most important professional gatherings, it enabled knowledge exchange, the establishment of new collaborations, and the presentation of current trends that will shape the further development of the Slovenian and regional markets.
