The International Congress of Family Businesses

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The biggest event for family business owners and members in Slovakia

18 - 19 September 2025, Hotel Château Bela, Slovakia

Meet Our Speakers

Foreign guest presentations are simultaneously interpreted into Slovak.

His Imperial and Royal Highness

Sandor Habsburg-Lothringen

Austrian Archduke and Tuscan Prince, a direct descendant of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria-Hungary, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Queen Victoria of Great Britain, a prominent representative of the Tuscan and Spanish branches of the Habsburg dynasty.

Scott Rusnak

Expert EOS Implementer
USA

Thomas Deans

Expert in intergenerational wealth transfer
Canada

Johannes Kärcher

Second-generation member of the family business Kärcher
Germany

Monika Naďová Krošláková

Associate Professor at University of Economics in Bratislava, Founder of Family Business Center, Co-owner of a family business (G2)
Slovakia

Erika Madari
Matwij

Expert in family business and President of the Institute of Family Business
Slovakia

Aleš Bednařík

Psychologist, speaker, trainer, author, and happytarian
Slovakia

About the Congress

We guide and connect family businesses on their journey toward multigenerational continuity.

Since 2020, the Institute of Family Business (IRB) has been organizing the International Family Business Congress – an event that brings together families in business across generations.

Over the course of five editions, we have welcomed speakers from 13 countries including Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Germany, Austria, USA, Australia, Argentina, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Monaco, along with hundreds of participants united by a desire to grow their businesses and keep them in family hands.

The 6th edition will offer fresh inspiration, lectures, discussions, and workshops filled with practical tips. Join the family business community and spend two exceptional days at the beautiful Château Bela – surrounded by people who face similar challenges as you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IRB

1200+

guests from 2020

90%+

family businesses owners & members

32

speakers from 13 countries

168

workshops from 22 experts

Experience quality lectures, new inspirations and opportunities for networking in Central Europe.

Congress Highlights

Two days filled with inspiration, practical topics, and meaningful connections.

KEYNOTE SPEECHES
By international speakers

Inspiring stories and proven strategies from family businesses around the world. Discover fresh perspectives on multigenerational entrepreneurship from those who live it and shape global trends.

WORKSHOPS
With experts in family business

Practical and interactive sessions focused on the most pressing topics for family businesses – from strategy, process design, taxes, and ownership structures to relationships, communication, and generational transition. Gain concrete tools and answers you can apply directly in your company.

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS
With family business experts

A space for deeper dialogue about your specific situation. Take the opportunity to consult 1:1 with experts and receive personalized recommendations tailored to your family and business.

EVENING PROGRAM
A time to relax and connect informally

After a day full of inspiration, enjoy a unique evening: a theatrical performance Conflicts in the Entrepreneurial Family, a delicious buffet dinner, a tasting of premium Slovak wines, and networking with owners, successors, and members of family businesses.

FAMILY BUSINESS FESTIVAL
A celebration of entrepreneurship and quality in family hands

The second day of the congress offers a unique format: informal meetings, a morning coffee break, test drives of Mercedes-Benz cars, and booths featuring products from family businesses right within the Château Bela premises. Registration for individual consultations opens on the first day.

Check out the full congress agenda.

CONGRESS AGENDA

Workshops

Experience three out of eleven workshops based on your interests.
Workshops will be held only in Slovak.

Workshop 1

How to Align Personal and Performance Goals of a Family Business through Business Marketing Management

Workshop 2

Beyond Three Generations: Family Business Guide to Lasting Wealth

Workshop 3

One Wrong Hiring Decision Can Cost You Millions

Workshop 4

Generational Transition and Expansion

We will be introducing the topics of the remaining workshops gradually.

Experience an event dedicated to family businesses

Join other family businesses and be inspired by Slovak and foreign speakers.

Included in the Ticket Price

✔️ Entry to the congress in the Château Bela

✔️ Participation in three out of eleven expert workshops

✔️ Individual consultations with expert partners

✔️ Refreshments throughout the congress

✔️ Lunch and dinner in the form of a buffet

✔️ Tasting of branded Slovak wines

✔️ Evening program

✔️ Family Business Festival during the 2nd day

✔️ Theater performance

✔️ Mercedes-Benz test drives

✔️ Networking with family business owners and members

✔️ Relax by the outdoor pool

Accommodation and transport are not included in the ticket price.

What Did the Guests of Previous Congresses Say?

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"An excellent opportunity to learn something new, to be inspired by companies that work and are successful, to meet people who know what they are doing, can give advice and can show what doesn't/does work. It's also great that people are open to broad topics and don't have the problem to share one's experiences, because the whole event hints at it and there is space for it, and everyone feels that way."

Martin Kamas, Galvex

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"Erika, today's conference also shows that you have a "nose" for people (i.e. a good 6th sense). You are a great team, highly professional work, a wonderful experience. I have my fingers crossed for you. Topics with great potential. Many thanks!"

Alena Hrčková, Centrum emočného zdravia a edukácie

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"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this great event. Fantastic, professional speakers and many useful ideas that can support our business in the long term. I participated in various discussions and met new people who face similar challenges. You are doing a great job, Erika. Wish you all the best for the next years."

Bea Liščík Mayer, FLORIL

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"Hello, I'd like to thank you and encourage you in the next editions. It's an exceptional idea with exceptional people. It's great to watch enthusiastic speakers. Really professional in terms of content, structure, and system. But above all, the topic of a family business, it's amazing that someone is doing "something". I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and I wish you much success."

Miroslav Kvapil, Agnes Optik

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"I also add a "big thank you" for the inspiring topics and practical advice on where to move in the area of succession in our family business. I wish you a lot of strength and inspiration in the Institute's further activities."

Zuzana Bobuľová, RUDOS RUŽOMBEROK, s.r.o.

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"Fantastic event. Very interesting topic. It is very important to understand in detail how family businesses work in order to improve, expand and sustain businesses that have been in this area for many generations. Congratulations."

Davide Beccarisi, Links Management and Technology SpA

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"Let me also take this opportunity to thank you very much for the invitation, for our cooperation and for the opportunity to be personally at the event dedicated to family businesses. My colleague and I enjoyed it very much, the lectures were interesting and I must say that the demonstration of the family council was original for me and also a funny moment - at the same time, a great guide on how to present the topic in a light-hearted way. The number of guests indicates that the topic resonates and you have a huge part in it. The next year will certainly be just as enticing."

Ivana Kompasová, Nadácia Pontis