Rovinj is ready for the Weekend of all Weekends
Zagreb, July 2, 2025 – Six festivals, nine venues, three days, and a whole lot of fun – this is how the program for this year’s Weekend.18 was presented last night at Peti Kupe in Zagreb. In a laid-back atmosphere filled with music and summer vibes, festival partners, speakers, and friends gathered to celebrate, joined by some familiar faces from the local scene such as Zoran Šprajc, Andrea Andrassy, Ida Prester, Mirna Zidarić, and Hrvoje Krešić. New program segments, key speakers, and surprises were unveiled – all of which make Weekend.18 the must-attend event to close out the summer.
“Weekend stopped being just a festival a long time ago. Today, it’s a platform that grows year after year because the audience, the industry, and the times we live in demand more – more knowledge, more inspiration, and more opportunities to connect. That’s why this year we’re introducing six festival programs tailored to the needs and interests of our participants: from communications and media, to AI, HR, finance and investments, and energy topics. We’re celebrating our 18th edition, but what truly excites us is that Rovinj is once again becoming the place where ideas that drive change come together – and where we always have a great time,” said Tomo Ricov, Director of Weekend.18.
Big Names on All Weekend Stages
This year’s Weekend.18 edition brings a wealth of topics, conversations, and speakers who inspire, push boundaries, and open up new questions. Taking the stage are some of the most prominent global names — those who shape today’s world and boldly go where others dare not.
In addition to the already announced speakers – Lara Boro, CEO of The Economist Group, who will speak in Rovinj about how one of the world’s most respected media outlets transformed into an industry leader during a time of global crisis, and James Taylor, who will offer insights into the world of business creativity and AI-driven innovation – Weekend.18 will also welcome Mariana van Zeller. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, host, and executive producer of the acclaimed National Geographic series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, she will take the audience on a journey through the darkest corners of global black markets – from arms smuggling to illegal trade – and reveal why it’s worth taking risks to tell stories that have the power to change the world. Mariana’s fearless journalism and the tireless work of her team have earned Trafficked 29 Emmy nominations and 4 wins at the 2025 News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
Federico Paderni, Executive Director for Emerging Markets in the EMEA region, is responsible for the development of platform X and brings with him a wealth of experience from leading global companies such as LinkedIn and Microsoft. At Weekend.18, he will speak about the vision and future of platform X, and how companies advertising on it can fully leverage its potential for growth and audience connection.
HR.Weekend, the first standalone festival within the Weekend platform, is entering its third edition this year, confirming the growing importance of topics related to organizational culture and leadership in the region. Daniel Ackermann, CEO of Degordian and Director of HR.Weekend, highlighted: “In the first year, we approached the festival as a space for experimentation and learning, which allowed us to build a strong foundation for future growth. In the second year, we significantly expanded the content by adding a second stage, and this year, we’re taking it a step further with two award ceremonies: one for top HR professionals in collaboration with HR Centar, and another for best workplaces in partnership with Luppa.”
The second edition of AI.Weekend will feature global names shaping the future. Among them is Sheel Mohnot, co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures from Silicon Valley – an investor known for spotting the next big thing in fintech before it becomes a trend. He’ll be joined by Łukasz Gabler, the expert behind TikTok’s digital strategy for Central and Eastern Europe, with over 15 years of experience in diplomacy, public administration, and sustainable tech leadership.
AI.Weekend Program Director Nikola Pavešić states: “Forget the myths about artificial intelligence! We’re here to uncover how it’s really being used by industry leaders. AI.Weekend bridges technology and business, offering a chance to hear from globally recognized leaders and stay in step with the innovations ahead. Artificial intelligence isn’t the future. It’s the present we’re all shaping together.”
Finance.Weekend, now in its second edition, brings together leading domestic and international experts. Matija Nakić, Program Director and CEO of Farseer, emphasized: “Last year, finance was just one of the program segments, but this year it’s becoming a standalone festival because the audience clearly demanded it. The finance community is tired of boring, number-heavy conferences — we want to open up real conversations and show that finance can be accessible, innovative, and relevant to everyone. I’m excited that Rovinj is becoming a place where finance is discussed in a different way.”
One of the key speakers is Michael Boyd, former Head of Payments & Treasury at Apple, who will share insights from his experience building a company valued at $2 trillion.
New Faces of Weekend: Where Smart Capital Meets Green Energy
This year’s edition of Weekend.18 introduces a new level of relevance and impact through two new program formats that address the key questions of today — and tomorrow.
On Friday, September 19, Investment.Weekend will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators in search of the next big ideas that can change the world. Mato Njavro, Dean of the Zagreb School of Economics and Management and Program Director of Investment.Weekend, stated: “For the first time, we are creating a space for everyone who believes in the power of smart investments. Our mission is to connect people with ideas, capital, and partners who can turn visions into reality.”
Among the speakers are prominent leaders from the global and regional financial scenes, with a standout appearance by George Yeo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore and a globally recognized strategist at the intersection of geopolitics, business, and finance. Today, as a member of advisory boards for institutions such as Peking University and the Vatican’s Council for the Economy, Yeo brings a unique perspective on Asia’s role in the future of global markets.
Energy.Weekend Powered UP by E.ON, also taking place on September 19 at the Grand Park Hotel, is not just another green PR event — it’s a space for open conversations, real numbers, and concrete answers about the energy transition and a sustainable future.
Vladimir Sabo, Director of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions for Croatia and Slovenia, emphasized:
“Energy transformation must not remain just a topic — it needs to become a shared goal to which we all contribute through tangible solutions and open dialogue. That’s why we launched Energy.Weekend powered up by E.ON, a new platform where experts, leaders, and enthusiasts come together to build a sustainable energy future. We believe real change happens when knowledge, experience, and vision are turned into action.”
“For 18 years, Weekend has been bringing together the media and marketing industry, and in recent years, many other industries as well — all within a market that is incredibly dynamic, with changes happening almost daily. These changes are largely driven by digitalization and rising consumer expectations, as users today demand personalized, fast, and relevant solutions.
These are precisely the values and characteristics we at Mastercard recognize and embody as a fintech brand — listening to user needs, developing innovations, and building technologies that enhance everyday experiences.
Our partnership with Weekend is an opportunity to be part of the changes shaping the future of the market. We see Weekend as a platform where ideas turn into real progress — and that aligns perfectly with our approach: to build partnerships that make an impact,” concluded Ema Huskić, Marketing Lead at Mastercard Croatia.
For 18 years now, every September, Weekend has been transforming Rovinj into the epicenter for leaders, creatives, and visionaries. In a relaxed atmosphere, it brings thought-provoking topics, panels, and keynote speeches that shape trends and the future of the industry.
If you want to be where new partnerships are formed and game-changing ideas are born, Weekend.18 is the place to be.
Stay tuned for program updates and new speaker announcements on our official website and through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok — we still have plenty to reveal.
Until then, mark your calendars for the third weekend of September and join us for the Weekend of all Weekends!
