Agenda
Spotlight Latvia: Gateway to Business in Europe and Beyond Conference Program
October 26, 2017
Waldorf Astoria Chicago Hotel: 11 E. Walton Street Chicago, IL 60611
8:00am – 8:30am
Registration
8:30am – 8:40am
Opening remarks by the Ambassador of Latvia, H.E. Mr. Andris Teikmanis and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy H.E. Mr. Arvils Aseradens
8:40am – 8:55am
Presentation “Spotlighting Latvia as a Place for Business” by the Chairman of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency Mr. Andris Ozols
8:55am – 9:25am
“Finding Success in Latvia” – International Companies Successfully Operating in Latvia
Discussion with Max Jegorovs: Accenture Latvia: Laura Ludika: Axon Cable; Andris Lacis: Baltic Technology Group
9:25am – 9:30am
Introduction of Companies Presenting for “Spotlight LV” Award
9:30am – 10:15am
“Taste of Latvia” Food & Dairy Panel
Moderator: Jim Staples
Panelists: Seymour Paul Ferreira: Amber Beverage Group; Normunds Stanevics: Food Union; Peteris Zimants: Pure Chocolate; Janis Garancs: Aloja-Starkelsen, Baiba Puzule, Orkla Confectionaries
10:15am – 10:25am
Coffee Break
10:25am – 10:55am
“Byte of Latvia” IT Panel
Moderator: Jim Kleinops
Panelists: Andrejs Strods: Blue Bridge Technology; Rihards Kalnins: Tilde; Sergejs Skusovs: MEDITEC Ltd: Mihails Scepanskis: CENOS
10:55am – 11:30am
“Shortcut to Latvia” Transportation and Logistics Panel
Moderator: Uldis Sipols
Panelists: Gundars Abols: Latvian Railways; Andrejs Petrovs: Kreiss; Normunds Volbets: Sonora; Alvis Haze: Ventbunkers
11:30am – 12:00pm
“Quick Take” Manufacturing Panel
Moderator: Jeff Scott
Panelists: Martins Lacis: Latvijas Finieris; Janis Simins: Jauda; Dzintars Celms: Friteks
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch
1:00pm – 1:10pm
“Spotlight LV” Award Announcement
1:10pm – 1:40pm
“Latvian Companies Successfully Operating in the US”
Discussion with Janis Bergs: SAF Technologies; Maris Lucans: Printful; Andre Schwiontek: Valmieras Stiklu Skiedra
1:40pm – 2:00pm
“Latvia as a Regional Banking Center”
Presentation by Mr. Vadims Reinfelds, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chairman of the Board, ABLV Bank, AS
2:00pm – 2:15pm
Coffee Break
2:15pm – 2:45pm
“Latvian Business Law and International Investment”
Presentation by Maris Vainovksis, Eversheds Sutherland Partner
2:45pm – 4:00pm
Breakout sessions by industry group; private meetings
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Launch of Latvian Chamber of Commerce in USA
4:15pm – 4:30pm
Conclusory Remarks
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Cocktail Reception