The International Congress of Family Businesses
Resilience isn’t inherited. It’s built across generations.
The largest event for business families in Slovakia
September 17–18, 2026, Château Bela, Slovakia
ABOUT THE CONGRESS
A gathering of family businesses that think in generations
The International Congress of Family Businesses, organized by the Institute of Family Business (IRB) since 2020, creates a space for meaningful gatherings of entrepreneurial families. A place where every conversation carries weight and where experience, trust and long-term vision naturally come together.
The 7th edition will bring carefully selected topics, powerful stories and practical insights drawn from the real life of family businesses. The program is designed not only to offer new perspectives, but also to create space for deeper reflection and valuable conversations.
Over two days at Château Bela, you will experience an atmosphere that encourages openness, trust and meaningful connections. You will meet people who understand your decisions and dilemmas — without the need to explain the context behind them.
Whether you are a founder, successor or family member involved in the business, you will leave with more than inspiration. You will leave with the reassurance that you are not alone — and with new perspectives that will help you move forward.
1400+
guests since 2020
90%+
family business owners and members
36
speakers from 14 countries
201
workshops led by 29 experts
Meet our speakers
Presentations by international speakers are simultaneously interpreted into Slovak.
Ulrich Schmid-Maybach
USA
Fourth-generation member of the Maybach dynasty, founder of the Maybach Foundation, and co-founder of Maybach Icons of Luxury
Robert S. “Bobby” Ukrop
USA
Chairman of the Board & CEO of Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, former CEO of Ukrop’s Super Markets, and second-generation representative of a family business with Slovak roots
Octavian Pilati
Austria
Successor of an aristocratic family with a 1,000-year history, founder of The Antifragile Family, and expert in the governance and resilience of entrepreneurial families
Giorgio Colutta
Italy
Owner of the third-generation family winery and agritourism business Colutta, winemaker and agricultural entrepreneur
Monika Naďová Krošláková
Slovakia
Associate Professor at the University of Economics in Bratislava, founder of the Family Business Center, and co-owner of a family business (G2)
Erika Madari Matwij
Slovakia
Founder of the Institute of Family Business and Human Inside, expert in family business and succession
Vlado Varecha
Congress Moderator
Radio and television host
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
Two days filled with inspiration, practical insights 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 featuring a buffet dinner 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-Maybach cars, and booths featuring products from family businesses right within the Château Bela premises.
WORKSHOPS (IN SLOVAK ONLY)
Choose the topics most relevant to your family
WORKSHOP 1
Topic coming soon
WORKSHOP 2
Resilient Leadership: How to Sustain Energy, Values and Direction in a Family Business
WORKSHOP 3
How to Set Up Cash Flow in a Family Business: Legally, Efficiently and Sustainably
WORKSHOP 4
Do You Think It’s About Ownership Shares? In Reality, It’s About Relationships
WORKSHOP 5
How to Replace the Irreplaceable
WORKSHOP 6
Partner and topic coming soon
WORKSHOP 7
Topic coming soon
WORKSHOP 8
Knowledge Base as the Foundation of Family Business Continuity
WORKSHOP 9
From Chaos to System
WORKSHOP 10
How to Start Systematically Acquiring New B2B Customers
WORKSHOP 11
Impact Investing for Founders: How to Turn Capital into a Legacy
TICKETS
Experience an event dedicated to family businesses
Individual Ticket
for 1 person
€199
Price from May 16, 2026
€229
Family Ticket
for up to 4 people
€555
Price from May 16, 2026
€619
Included in the Ticket Price
- Access to the congress
- Participation in 3 workshops
- Refreshments and buffet lunch
- Evening buffet dinner
- Family Business Festival
- Individual consultations with expert partners
- Test drives of Mercedes-Maybach cars
- Access to the congress app
- Curated networking
- Transfer to/from hotels outside Château Bela (within 15 km)
- Parking
IMPORTANT
The event is intended for owners and members of family businesses. Institute of Family Business reserves the right to cancel purchased tickets if the participant is not a member of an entrepreneurial family.
After purchasing a ticket, a short verification process takes place to help maintain the quality and relevance of the connections and discussions for all participants.
What Did the Guests of Previous Congresses Say?
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