The Grow East Congress series was a joint project of Arnold Schuh, former Director of the Competence Center for Emerging Markets & CEE at WU Vienna, and Manfred Berger, founder of NEUSICHT Think Tank. The first congress on “The future of brands and retailing in CE and SEE” took place in 2007. In the following years, the organizers addressed different management topics: Restarting Growth in Central and South-Eastern Europe, Innovations for and from CEE, How to Manage Complexity in CEE, Local Heroes versus Global Giants: Lessons from a Challenging Competitive Landscape in CEE, and Winning Business Concepts in Turbulent Times in CEE.

The main goal of this congress series was to provide insights into current developments in the emerging Europe and to highlight the challenges that international and local companies face when expanding into and competing in CEE markets. Grow East offered a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between representatives of foreign companies operating in CEE, outstanding local firms and entrepreneurs, academics and business students with a strong interest in the emerging markets of this region.

Major partners have been Austrian Chambers of Commerce (WKO), Amrop-Jenewein, Erste Group, GfK, Henkel CEE, dm – Drogeriemarkt, BDF Beiersdorf, Salesianer Miettex, Rail Cargo Group and Nespresso.

Due to the ever-changing economic landscape of CEE markets and the challenges stakeholders face in doing business, the Grow East Congress series finished its run in 2024 and will be re-launched as the DRIVE EAST CONGRESS in late 2025.

Visit Congress Webiste for more information.