On Nov. 5, AmCham Hungary unveiled “Hire and Higher: A Toolkit to Advance Inclusive Hiring,” a new white paper developed in collaboration with WeAreOpen. This toolkit highlights the value of building diverse organizational communities, addresses biases that limit workplace diversity, and offers practical steps for fostering inclusive teams. The event opened with remarks from Írisz Lippai-Nagy (CEO, AmCham), Helga Sásdi (chairperson, WeAreOpen), and Mónika Pais (CEO, Diageo), who emphasized the importance of inclusive hiring. This was followed by the presentation of the white paper and an insightful discussion featuring Andrea Juhos (DEI&B Working Group lead at AmCham Hungary), Nóra Várady (CEO, WeAreOpen), Eszter Weinberger (research lead, WeAreOpen), Mónika Magasházi (founder, Transzegészségközpont), Béla Rácz (president, 1Magyarország Egyesület), Ádám Kanicsár (member, WeAreOpen), Katalin Kappel (counselor, Salva Vita), and Janina Kovács (business developer, Skilly), who shared their insights on the brand-new document. The event concluded with an interactive workshop led by DEI expert Zsuzsa László from WeAreOpen, followed by a lively networking session at Diageo’s stunning Sky Bar.
The BCCH will host its final CEO Dinner of 2024 with Ákos Garaba, managing director and engineering site lead of Jaguar Land Rover Hungary. During the event, guests can enjoy the customary three-course dinner with wine and welcome drinks while hearing the views of one of the foremost professionals on recent developments and current industry affairs. British Ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox and BCCH chairman Duncan Graham will give the opening remarks. JLR is one of the leading forces in the automotive sector, encompassing two of the most storied and iconic British brands. The Hungarian site opened in 2019, and over the past years, JLR has invested heavily in cutting-edge engineering, especially concerning electric cars. Garaba, a self-confessed petrolhead from childhood, moved to the United Kingdom to work for Jaguar Land Rover after apprenticeships on the supplier side. With two years of experience at JLR’s Coventry headquarters and a deep affection for the marques, he joined the Hungarian operation at the first opportunity as an engineer, developing highly automated driving functions and their respective simulations. After promotions to the head of the automated driving group in Hungary and then to engineering site lead and managing director, he’s as enthusiastic as ever about overseeing the site’s strategic direction.
• When: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 5:30-8 p.m. • Where: Párisi Udvar Hotel, Petőfi Sándor u. 2-4, Budapest 1052 • Fee: Members HUF 28,000 (plus VAT); non-members HUF 38,000 (plus VAT)
As a culmination of its year-long activities, the CCIU will host its 2024 Christmas dinner for a select number of guests on Dec. 3. As per tradition, this exclusive event aims to celebrate and bring together chamber members, representatives of various institutions, international companies, and guests of honor to celebrate the successes of the year that is coming to an end. The chamber promises the program will be full of unique moments and great symbolic value. Guests will be enveloped in an atmosphere of “authentic Italianness,” made special by live music with traditional Italian songs and by the possibility of tasting a selection of “Made in Italy” products, a tribute to Italian gastronomic excellence. The Christmas Dinner is, above all, an opportunity for networking, discussing and exchanging opinions, strengthening the bond between the Italian and Hungarian business communities and opening up new possibilities for collaboration. The event represents an opportunity to celebrate together and exchange Christmas greetings, offering a moment of shared joy in the spirit of the CCIU motto: “Growing together!” Places are limited, so prior registration is essential.
• When: Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 7:30 p.m. • Where: Pullman Hotel Budapest, Nagymezo Utca 38, Budapest 1065 • Fee: members HUF 30,000 + VAT; non-members HUF 36,000 + VAT
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County is holding an online information and consultation session with its partners for companies preparing to enter the Swiss market or already there but wishing to expand their business relations. Júlia Lipovecz, director of Swisscham Hungary, will introduce the chamber and speak about the experiences and trends in 30 years of the Swiss-Hungarian business community. Foreign Economic Affairs Attaché Csaba Piszter of the Embassy of Hungary, Bern, will discuss market access for Hungarian companies and introduce the Swiss business environment.
Anna Wohl Gönczi, attorney at law at Advokatur Wohl Gönczi, will share methods for entering the market and setting up a company. Tamás Papp, managing director of CollabIT Switzerland AG, will give a theoretical and practical introduction to Swiss corporate culture and how to succeed in Switzerland, with useful advice for Hungarian companies entering the market. Throughout the webinar, there will be an opportunity to ask questions or submit them in advance via the online registration form. Participation in the event is free of charge for chamber members but is subject to pre-registration.
• When: Nov. 26, from 10-11:30 a.m. • Where: online
SAVE THE DATE: Swisscham Hungary’s annual Christmas reception will take place on Dec. 5 at the W Hotel Budapest, Andrássy út 25, Budapest 1061. Registration will open soon.
Join the DUIHK in February 2025 on a unique professional trip to Bavaria, where attendees will gain first-hand insight into the latest technologies and developments in the defense industry. Visit leading companies in the Nuremberg region, get to know the latest solutions and technological innovations and talk to experts from the industry. At the Enforce Tac trade fair, there will also be an opportunity to discover the industry’s leading manufacturers and their products.
There is perhaps nothing more French than a Beaujolais Nouveau soirée. In France, it is strictly forbidden to open the doors of the wine cellars until the third Thursday of November; no tasting is allowed before this date. But on the third Thursday, the French people say, “Le Beaujolais est arrivé!” (“The Beaujolais is here”), and the celebrations begin.
• When: Thursday, Nov. 21st, 6-8:30 p.m. • Where: Le Troquet / French Institute of Budapest, Fő utca 17, Budapest 1011 • Fee: members HUF 9,900 + VAT; non-members HUF 14,900 + VAT.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of November 15, 2024.
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