On March 28, DUIHK announced the winners of its 2025 Vocational Education and Training Awards at the Deutsche Schule Budapest. In the “Motivation” category, the Petrik Lajos Technical College of Budapest Lajos Technical College of Bilingual Education received the award for the project “#petrikcodeweek Coding for all: Opening the Doors to a Digital Future for Teachers, Students and Parents.” In the “Cooperation” category, the Szeged SZC Tóth János Mórahalmi Vocational School and Szilágyi Mihály College received the award for the project “The Mórahalmi Vanilla Project: Dual Education at its Maximum.” They also received the award in the “Innovation” category for their project “InnoTeam: Together for the Technology of the Future.” The jury of seven independent experts also awarded a special prize to József Sándor Gonda, a self-employed businessman, for his project “We Bring Color to Your Future.” A record number of 65 companies and institutions submitted entries this year.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary, in close cooperation with the Hungarian Geothermal Association, Swisscham and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, invites guests to the “Swiss-Hungarian dialogue on energy communities” workshop. It will focus on viable solutions to tackle the increased cost of energy at the local level. A working Swiss model of an energy community will be presented, and an exchange of experiences between Switzerland and Hungary will follow, including the regulation, technical conditions and financing of energy communities. The workshop will aim to present practical solutions to the greening of the energy mix at the level of local communities and to promote technical-level interaction and networking among Swiss and Hungarian stakeholders interested in sustainable renewable energy schemes (especially geothermal). The event will include welcome coffee and tea, a welcome by Ambassador of Switzerland Jean-François Paroz, Swiss and Hungarian presentations, and a panel discussion, followed by a buffet lunch
• When: Friday, April 25, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. • Where: 1st floor meeting room, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111 • Fee: members free; non-members: HUF 15,000 / person (0% VAT)
In today’s digital landscape, businesses face increasing cybersecurity threats, yet many remain unaware of the vulnerabilities in their communication channels. To address this critical issue, an exclusive seminar on cybersecurity and secure communication will be organized by the CCCH, offering business leaders, IT professionals, and security experts valuable insights into protecting sensitive data. The seminar will explore the hidden risks of using mobile phones and unsecured commercial platforms for corporate communication. Cybersecurity specialists will break down common security pitfalls, demonstrate real-world breaches from forensic investigations, and provide practical strategies to safeguard confidential business information. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how secure communication practices align with NIS2 compliance requirements, a crucial aspect of regulatory cybersecurity frameworks. Check ccch.hu for registration details.
The CCIFH invites guests to its next Hot Topic conference, round table discussions on labor productivity, and the wage rise program based on improving company efficiency and productivity. The keynote speaker will be Deputy State Secretary for Labor Market, Protection and Inspection Viktória Zöld-Nagy.
• When: Tuesday, May 20, 9-11:30 a.m. • Venue & Fee: to be announced.
The CCIFH, in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, also invites guests to the first event of its renewed communication club, initiating a roundtable discussion on “The Success of Premium Hungarian Brands Abroad: Brand Management in an International Environment.” Experts from internationally successful Hungarian brands will share their best practices, including Anita Benes, founder and lead designer of Daalarna; Sára Palcsó, managing director of Adrienne Feller Cosmetics Zrt.; Attila Simon, managing director of Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt.; Zoltán Roy Zsidai, owner and managing director of Zsidai Group, Réka Vágó, managing director and creative director of Rekavago. The moderators will be Dávid Robák, managing director and admiral of NextShip, and Anna Tamási, director of CoreContent Bt.
• When: Thursday, May 8, 9-11:30 a.m. • Venue: Spíler Buda (at MoM Park), Alkotás u. 53, Budapest 1123. • Fee: Members, HUF 9,500 + VAT; non-members, HUF 14,200 + VAT.
Belgabiz, in collaboration with Art is Business, presents the 2025 spring issue of Art is Business magazine, highlighting Belgium’s unique regional approach to cultural funding. Join us for the launch event, featuring Belgian companies and artists, a roundtable discussion, and a keynote by Belgium’s ambassador, offering insights into business and cultural collaborations.
• When: Thursday, April 24, 6-9 p.m. • Where: Apollo Gallery (Corvin Palace, Blaha Lujza tér 1, entry from Stáhly utca) • Fee: Belgabiz members and Art is Business Circle of Friends, free; non-members HUF 3,900 + VAT
On March 25, AmCham Hungary, in cooperation with EY, hosted a highly informative meeting to discuss the EU AI Act and its implications. The event featured guest experts: George Tilesch, chief AI expert at EY AI Confidence, Adrienn Piskóti, senior lawyer, EY Law, responsible for data protection and digital law, and Áron Badinszky, AI regulatory expert at EY AI Confidence, who provided an overview of the AI Act regulation, along with the challenges, obligations, and opportunities it presents for businesses. The discussion highlighted key compliance deadlines, starting with Feb. 2, when AI Act prohibitions and AI literacy obligations took effect. This initial phase requires companies to assess and certify their AI systems to meet foundational compliance standards, particularly focusing on AI’s safe and responsible use. Although the AI Act still requires further elaboration, particularly regarding the Code of Practice, companies should not delay their preparations for the next critical deadline: Aug. 2, 2026. By this date, the act will fully apply to high-risk AI systems, requiring organizations to implement comprehensive risk management, monitoring, and governance practices. To ensure sustainable, competitive business operations in the long term, companies must embed AI solutions as a fundamental part of their “company DNA.” The experts also addressed relevant Hungarian legal implications, emphasizing the importance of staying up-to-date with local regulatory requirements to avoid potential legal risks. Non-compliance could result in substantial penalties, including financial fines, reputational harm, and operational limitations. The discussion concluded that successful adaptation requires collaboration between legal, technological, and business experts to navigate the complexities of the AI regulatory landscape.
The Ospitalità Italiana Awards will take place at the Millennium da Pippo restaurant in Budapest this month, celebrating businesses earning the Italian Hospitality certification. Promoted by Istituto Nazionale Ricerche Turistiche (National Institute of Tourism Research) and the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad, the recognition, presented in Hungary by the CCIU, acknowledges businesses that maintain the highest standards of Italian hospitality, ensuring authenticity, quality, and commitment to “Made in Italy” values. The event coincides with the International Day of Made in Italy, an initiative the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy promotes, celebrating Italian excellence in gastronomy, craftsmanship, and services. Throughout the evening, attendees can network with industry professionals, business leaders, and chamber members. In addition to the awards presentation, an exclusive Italian aperitivo will be offered, featuring authentic Italian flavors and fine wines. Live music will help create an atmosphere celebrating Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage. Among the honored establishments, “Millennium da Pippo” and “Terzo Cerchio” will be recognized as certified ambassadors of Italian hospitality.
• When: Tuesday, April 15 • Where: Millennium da Pippo, Andrássy út 76, Budapest 1062 • Fee: Members, HUF 2,000; non-members, HUF 3,000
An “Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Workshop” was held at the Residence of the Ambassador of Sweden in Budapest. The event was co-organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and its Knowledge Center in collaboration with the Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, Advantage Austria, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and the Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce. The event opened with welcome remarks by Ambassador Diana Madunic of the Embassy of Sweden in Hungary and Slovenia, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between European companies to improve competitiveness and Julia Lipovecz, director of Swisscham Hungary, who called attention to the fact that energy efficiency is no longer a matter of choice, but a strategic imperative. Even a 10% reduction in energy consumption can result in tens of millions of euros saved, an impact that is both economically and environmentally vital. Through insightful presentations and engaging Q&A sessions, the forum provided a platform to explore innovative solutions, best practices, and real-life applications already driving sustainable transformation across various industries. High-level company representatives from Atlas Copco, Qvantum International, ABB, Carbon.Crane, Equans, and Wienerberger shared their expertise on topics ranging from compressed air heat recovery and digital carbon footprint tracking to hydrogen and circular energy systems. The presenters were Mattias Holmstedt, Lars Bierlein, Péter Ivanics, György Huszics, Krisztina Kottmayer, János Prugberger, and Vaskó Péter.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of April 4, 2025.
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