LGBTI+ BUSINESS FORUM 2026
Dear friends, this year, we have prepared the 14th annual LGBTI+ Business Forum for you. It will take place on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the House of the European Union in Bratislava.
What is the topic of the forum?
The theme of this year’s forum is Queer at Work: Why Generation Z Won’t Play by the Old Rules. Together with our speakers, we will reflect on how young people are changing the rules of the labor market and how the acceptance of LGBTI+ people defines social cohesion and economic growth. We will demonstrate how to turn the inclusion of transgender individuals from mere catchphrases into real HR processes, and how to face rapidly growing online hate using AI and community design. The official program will conclude with a panel discussion on the expectations young people have of their employers, followed by informal networking over refreshments.
You can find the updated agenda of the event on this website and we will keep updating with further details.
Who is the Forum for?
We welcome anyone interested in and/or with the means to influence company policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. The topic of this year’s forum is primarily focused on business leaders, professionals from HR, people managers, DEI champions and ESG/CSR specialists.
The Forum is primarily held in Slovak but translation into English will be provided.
Who organizes the Forum?
The LGBTI+ Business Forum is organized by Diversity Pro. The partners of the event are the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, the Office of the European Parliament in Slovakia and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The event is held under the auspices of the Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský.
How to participate?
Attendance at the forum is free of charge, but registration is required – registrations will open soon. Due to capacity limits, attendance is restricted to a maximum of two representatives per company. For participants who cannot attend the forum in person (or did not manage to register in time), we will offer the opportunity to watch the program via live stream.
PROGRAM
We are updating the agenda on an ongoing basis.
Registration will open at 8:30, and the program will begin at 9:00.
Block 1 | 9:00 – 10:15
- Welcome notes from organizers and event partners
In the first block, insights and experiences on why Generation Z won’t play by the old rules will be shared by our speakers:
- Michal Vašečka, Bratislava Policy Institute
- Milan Kovačič – CEO of Liiiv | ex-CEO of Zoe and Surge, ex McKinsey consultant
Coffee break | 10:15 – 10:30
Time for small refreshments and networking with the speakers.
Block 2 | 10:30 – 11:30
In the second block, following the coffee break, expert knowledge and insights will be shared by industry professionals:
- Ivana Tilešová, Sustainability leader IKEA
- Monika Zuzana Ruščáková, HR Learning & Development Telekom Slovakia
- Anna Podlesná, Profesia
Coffee break | 11:30 – 11:45
A second round of light refreshments and time for networking with the speakers.
Block 3 | 11:45 – 12:15
In the third block, expert knowledge and insights on how hate scales rapidly and what works to protect against it will be shared by our speakers:
- Tomáš Halász, TrollWall.ai
- Ľubomír Šimášek, CEO Mediaboard
- Teo Lachkovič, Community strategist, Community Architecture framework & Head of Community @The Spot
Panelová discussion | 12:15 – 13:00
We will conclude the official program with a panel discussion on Generation Z’s Expectations of Employers, moderated by Liberty Simon.
Lunch | from 13:00
After the panel discussion, refreshments and a space for informal networking will be available for all participants.
Photographs and video footage will be taken during the event. By participating you give your consent to their creation and their use for the needs of the event organizer.
Your opinion matters! If you have any suggestions, ideas, or questions regarding the Forum or our work, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to connecting with you!
