Iztok was appointed to the position as the Managing Director at the Slovenian Spas Association (SSA) 17 years ago, after he spent almost 25 years in the tourism business. He finished his active work at the end of April. Before this position, he was CEO of Globtour, one of the leading Slovenian Tour Operators at that time. He also spent several years in the Slovenian Tourist Board holding the position as the Manager of Sales and Marketing. He founded the Slovenian Incoming Workshop in 1997, still today recognized as the leading tourism Incoming event in Slovenia.
Iztok established strong connections to the Spa, Health and Wellness industry in the Region, holding and running many presentations and events. He is a regular speaker at various conferences and other Health and Wellness events. During the 60th celebration of the SSA, Iztok organized an European Conference – ENSPA (European Natural Spa & Wellness Conference) that gathered the world leading Associations in the field of Balneology, Hydrology, Spa and Wellness business, as FEMTEC, ESPA, ISMH, OMTH and the prestigious GWI (Global Wellness Institute). He was recently also apinted as the Co-chair of the Hot Spring Initiative within the GWI.
During Iztok’s work, The Slovenian Spas Association joined ESPA (European Spas Association) where he is responsible for Communication & Marketing activities. One of the most important projects that he established and is running for the 16th year now, is the B2B event called “SPA-CE Experience” – Specialized Workshop and Meeting place of Spa & Wellness Industry. It’s the first and only business event of its kind in Central Europe. Since the organisation of the ESPA Congress in Slovenia in October 2020, the SPA-CE Workshop became part of the annual ESPA Congress joint with the ESPA Innovation Award.

Branko Petrović is the founder and CEO of the ACX+ platform, one of the regional leaders in the crypto industry, particularly in the application of cryptocurrencies in business and investment. He entered the world of cryptocurrencies as a cybersecurity expert with a background in law enforcement.

Back in 2007, while still in high school, Branko began working as a freelancer developing websites. He later enrolled at the Higher School of Internal Affairs in Banja Luka, now the Faculty of Security Studies at the University of Banja Luka. He also completed the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska as one of the top cadets, beginning his career as a police officer.

After several years, he left the police force and joined a software company in Banja Luka as a cloud engineer, later transitioning to a managerial position. From there, he moved into the role of cybersecurity officer in another company and fully dedicated himself to the field of cybersecurity. Through prestigious certifications and market-proven expertise, Branko built a reputation as a recognized specialist, as demonstrated by his work on UNDP, EU in BiH, and other projects where he conducted training for nearly all law enforcement agencies in BiH, the Ministry of Security, and other institutions.

Branko founded ACX – Adriatic Crypto Exchange, a cryptocurrency platform introducing innovation to the regional market. In 2024, ACX secured a $3.2 million investment from the U.S. company Modulus Global, establishing ACX as one of the regional crypto market leaders. With further development, ACX began implementing new features such as enabling users to access crypto debit cards, conduct international transactions within seconds 24/7 regardless of amount, company tokenization, and many other services—ushering in a new era for the domestic financial sector.

ACX also became the first tokenized company on the domestic market, with the aim of expanding into new markets like the EU—an effort realized through the acquisition of a Slovenian crypto company.

Andrés Ibarra is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Araujo Ibarra International Business Consultants, a leading firm in international business advisory. Additionally, he serves as the Director of IR Family Office, an organization dedicated to developing comprehensive solutions to optimize Family Office business models and their enterprise management systems.

He actively works with various global organizations, promoting the empowerment and integration of business families and Family Offices. Among these, he collaborates with Family Office Exchange (FOX), a leading organization in the Family Office sector worldwide.

Currently, he holds the position of Executive Vice President of the alliance with the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) – Araújo Ibarra “Free Zones Go Global”, where he leads efforts to internationalize free zones and strengthen strategic connections between WTCs, free zones, and special economic zones (SEZs) around the world.

Dimovski is a PhD with experience in various institutions and companies, as well as in the implementation of investment projects financed by international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the German Development Bank KfW.
His long-standing work experience includes engagements in institutions and companies such as OSCE-ODIHR, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the National Park “Mavrovo”, the Public Procurement Council of Macedonia, the Public Transport Company Skopje, Pelagonija AD Gostivar, the Ministry of Finance with projects for improving municipal services (MSIP and MSIP2) funded by the World Bank, and the Council of the Municipality of Gostivar.
Additionally, Dimovski has experience in implementing investment projects financed by various international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the German Development Bank KfW.

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the field of free zones and export processing zones. Skilled in Business Planning, Analytical Skills, WordPress,Feasibility Studies, and Environmental Awareness. Strong business development professional with a Ph.D. focused in Free Zones. Board director, World Free Zone Organization 2018-2021; President of the Contracting Chamber of Economy Pirot District; President of the Free Zones Group, of Serbia  2001-2020; president and active member of Scuba Diving club Pirot; president of Rowing club Pirot.

Nika Manukova is a management consultant, business trainer, mentor and coach and public speaker with more than 20 years’ experience.

Nika is founder and CEO of SIGNUM Consulting Company, specialized in business process optimization and reengineering, management systems implementation at the different fields of economy.

From 2010 Nika specialized in Special Economic Zones development and Foreign Direct Investment processes as well. She is a Regional representative of the World Free Zones Organization, responsible for European and CIS countries – in total 64 countries.

Being a business trainer and consultant, she works with a number of local and international organizations, including EBRD, GIZ, JICA, UNDP, UNIDO, UNISEF, World Bank, EU4Business, OECD.

Nika involved in social activity as well – she is a member of the board of Rotary Club and  many business associations dedicated to community development.

Founder of the innovative company “Derubis Caravans and Derubis Yachts” – the first Bosnian-Herzegovinian yachts and luxury caravans, a company with explosive growth. The only woman in an executive position in the caravaning industry worldwide.

A Master’s degree in Marketing and Public Relations, she is the founder of the fascinating company “Derubis Caravans” and the only woman in an executive position in the caravaning industry worldwide.

The story of the great success and astronomical rise of the company “Derubis Caravans” from Vitez began when the Kraljević family decided to relocate the shipyard from Croatia to a country where ships had never sailed.

“Derubis Caravans” and “Derubis Yachts” received seven awards last year from the German Design Council for design, innovation, high quality, functionality, brand of the year… and the significance of these awards is evident in the fact that the jury includes people from the management of BMW, Mercedes, and other leading companies, with a 70-year tradition.

The manufacturers of the first Bosnian-Herzegovinian yachts and luxury caravans have received numerous international accolades and have started the construction of a factory in Saudi Arabia. Today, Lejla speaks at caravan industry conferences around the world.