CONFERENCE THEME

TURNING CHALLANGES
INTO OPPORTUNITIES
GLOBALISATION, DIGITALISATION AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT AS KEY FACTORS FOR SHAPING OUR
INDUSTRIES AND SERVICE
CONFERENCE THEME

The 21st TCI conference is promising to be varied. Delegates are invited to observe presentations from industry specialists,
challenge business experts on issues of shared interest to every organisation and engage in lively discussions.
Industry experts can share information, exchange best practices and develop business opportunities at many occasions during the
conference.
Knowing that all TCI Conferences are always appreciated for their exceptional networking environment, the 21st edition will offer an
unforgettable gala dinner and award ceremony.
TCI members will also meet for its annual General Assembly meeting.
A new twist of the networking events will be the launch of the Conference runners club. We invite anyone interested in exercising
before the official program to join the group of motivated runners.
The purpose of this conference is to encourage the exchange of knowledge and information among cluster practitioners and regions
in the scope of international co-operation.
The Conference will be open to both, TCI members and non-members. We will take the challenge to welcome more students as
ever before!
We will encourage 1:2:1 meetings and open discussion, which will allow delegates to acquire long-lasting business relationships.
Participants will also explore the power of analysing and data managing as a key factor in operational success, browse the regions
of opportunities and potentials, with a special focus on successful cross-border networks.
We want all delegates to see the Conference as a platform for creative minds, a journey between the clusters of all continents, a
hand-shake between knowledge and experience.
CONFERENCE THEME
SUB-THEMES
The final program as well as the conference and meetings formats will be focused entirely on delegatesneeds. It is going to be exciting and
educational. Each parallel session will be set to highlight the specifics of the topic, as well as to challenge and engage the audience.

Adapting to change and getting ready for the future

Environmental challenges (customers expectations, regional) appear to be the next important issues.
Competitions from and within the industry.

The future face of clusters branding in the scope of the marketing mix
In depth discussions on:
How should new cluster organisations plan and spend their marketing budget to strengthen the brand and competitiveness
among its members?
How companies can use social media to increase the reach of their brands?

Digitalisation changes a look at possible opportunities for the clusters development

What clusters can learn from the digital development?
Challenges and changes enabled and indorsed by digitalisation.
An insight into digitalisation and its role in cluster development.
Focus on corporate structures, digital changes and global trends.
The strongest drivers of digitalisation - cost saving and increase of efficiency.

On the global map-new countries and regions are becoming increasingly important
Opportunities to showcase national and regional economic infrastructures and service capabilities to industry leaders from around
the globe
Different regions different successful stories
Lessons learned in the clustering journey

Businesses are sustainable by being economically and socially sustainable

The importance of being and think green.
Smart Cities Smart Nations.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CLUSTER TOURS
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CLUSTER TOURS

Playing a vital role within the conference program, the cluster visits are scheduled for Day 1 of the conference. We have defined the themes and
sites for the visit, in a way that will showcase the overall development of the region and will give the best examples of the clusters operation. Each
tour will feature valuable insights about the industry itself, its role within the regional development, the methods used to establish the cluster, chal-
lenges met along the way, as well as the successful stories. Though the focus is the learning experience, we will also take the advantage of the
visits and will provide further insights from Bulgarian history and culture.
 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CLUSTER TOURS
Technology & Innovation Tour (Sofia, Sofia Tech Park)
Science and Technology Park is a government-driven project, designed to advance research, innovation
and technology growth in Bulgaria.The aim is to become a platform where members of the innovation
ecosystem in Bulgaria can meet, share ideas and collaborate with each other. The Science & Technology
Park is also a bridge between academia, business and government.When exploring the Park, different
sub-tours could be organised, based on the delegates interests, experience and knowledge.
EXPERIMENTARIUM an interactive science centre, where delegates can interact with science and tech-
nology.
INNOVATION FORUM JOHN ATANASSOFF
INCUBATOR Hosts innovative technology-based start-ups and spin-off companies. It gathers represen-
tatives of the start-up ecosystem of Sofia to ensure that incubated enterprises have access to an environ-
ment, which supports the formation and development of innovation-led business.

INCUBATOR
LAB COMPLEX - The laboratory complex consists of 11 laboratories specialized in different areas of sci-
ence. An independent R&D&I Consortium, established for that purpose, Technical operates the complex.
Members of the consortium are leading Bulgarian research organisations Sofia University, technical
University-Sofia and Medical University-Sofia.
LABS Overview:
Biopharmaceutical Lab Complex (BioPharma)
Bioinformatics Lab (BioInfoTech)
High performance Computing (HPC) Lab
Artificial Intelligence and CAD Systems Lab
Cyber Security Lab
Micro Nano Lab
3D Creativity & New Products Rapid Prototyping Laboratory
Virtual & Augmented Reality Lab
Intelligent Communication Infrastructures Lab
 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CLUSTER TOURS
Information & Communication Technology Tours (Sofia and Plovdiv)
The foundation Bulgarian Cluster for Information and Communication Technologies was created in 2005 as a platform for fruitful dialogue and collaboration between ICT busi-
ness and the state administration. The foundation ICT Cluster is a cluster initiative supporting emergence and development of clusters in the filed of ICT in Bulgaria. The organiza-
tions main objective is ICT SME growth and development through promotion of cooperation, building competitiveness and creation of new business opportunities. ICT Cluster is
a horizontal organization. It has ambitions to create and to be a mentor of successful vertical clusters in different segments of ICT sector. ICT Cluster is recognized as one of the
core centers of cluster knowledge in Bulgaria. It is a member of several European cluster platforms and networks and maintains very good relationship with many European and
world clusters. Information & Communications Technology Tours will be available in Sofia and Plovdiv cities.

Visiting Industrial capital of Bulgaria (Plovdiv city)

Exploring Trakia Economic Zone 6
With roughly 70 000 jobs in the manufacturing sector, Plovdiv is the industrial capital of Bulgaria.
The industrial project is supported by 9 municipalities and 2 clusters. Its the First Region for Priority Support from the State of Bulgaria. TEZs program for sustainable develop-
ment became part of the plan of Plovdiv for Regional Investment Development 2017 2020. In 2005 industrial zone Rakovski, part of TEZ, was officially awarded the first
industrial zone in Bulgaria Public Private Partnership model.
Maritsa - Industries: engineering, electronics, food, and logistics
Rakovski Industries: automotive, chemistry, logistics, food, and energy equipment
Kuklen Industries: metals, machinery, chemicals, automotive, logistics
Industrial park Plovdiv
Park Innovations Project concept: construction of logistics buildings, commercial
facilities, production facilities, development of technological park; facilities for produc-
tion, storage and trade of agricultural products.
Agro centre Kaloyanovo Industries: food industry, production of packaging materials,
Trakia Economic Zone
www.tez.bg 9
www.tez.bg 10
www.tez.bg 11

distribution, equipment, chemicals, know-how and services.

Trakia Economic Zone
MAJOR INVESTOR IN TEZ Trakia Economic Zone
MAJOR INVESTOR IN TEZ MAJOR INVESTOR IN TEZ

Plovdiv is the worlds oldest city. It is built upon layers of towns and cultures and is picturesquely situated in the Thracian lowlands, just 100 miles east
from Sofia. The city received the prestigious award for Excellence in tourism Golden Apple. In 2019 Plovdiv will be the European Capital of Culture. Dele-
gates will experience a quick tour around Plovdivs historical and cultural sites.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CLUSTER TOURS
Furniture Industry Cluster Tour (Montana Municipality, Montana town)
Montana municipality is located in the Northwest planning region (statistical regions NUTS-2) and the homonymous Montana area. The area of Montana takes up
3.2% of the total territory of Bulgaria and covers an area of 3618 sq.km. Within the municipality, there are 24 settlements - 1 city and 23 villages.
Montana Municipality has the potential to accelerate its socio-economic development. After the crisis in the 90s, the municipality began a process of restructuring
the economy and is one of the municipalities that is developing with a smooth, gentle, but dynamic pace. The Municipality of Montana has 2127 companies, with
nearly 95% of them being private. One of the biggest companies is BKK 95 Ltd., with owner Krasimira Petrova, who is also a Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Furniture
Cluster.
BKK 95 is a leading manufacturer of metal furniture and metal components for the furniture industry with more than 15 years of experience in the cold processing
of metals. BKK 95 Ltd. is a supplier and exporter of large metal parts for furniture and metal products household furniture for IKEA and leading companies in the
European Union and North America.
Montana has an active cultural life. Among the main attractions of the city are The Historical Museum and Art Gallery Kiril Petrov, The Drama Theater and some
more famous historical monuments and sites such, as the architectural complex Lapidarium, the historical site Kale Bair, Ashiklar Eko and Montana Dam.
Delegates will have the opportunity to explore some of the attractions during their visit.
Mechatronics and Automation Tour (Blagoevgrad town)
MECHATRONICS AND AUTOMATION cluster was formally established on December 22, 2006. On 14.05.2009 the Cluster was re-registered as a legal non-profit
organization. The Cluster is one of the first Bulgarian Clusters and consists of 22 companies, research organizations and NGOs in the field of mechatronics and
automation. Members are high-tech companies; scientific bodies in the field of instrument building, hardware and software; leading Bulgarian NGOs.
Mechatronics (or Mechanical and Electronics Engineering) is the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, control engineering,
systems design engineering, hardware and software to create useful products.
Products are exported predominantly to the European market: Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain, as well as to the United States, China, Singapore,
Taiwan, South Korea, India, Brazil and Mexico.
During the visit to Blagoevgrad, delegates will be able to explore the story of Vaniko Ltd. The company was a founding member of the Cluster of Mechatronics and
Automation in 2006. It is the largest engineering company in the region, agent and supplier of SKF and many more.
Cluster Village Tour (Sofia Tech Park)
Sofia Tech Park will provide the opportunity, clusters and representatives from other Bulgarian regions to tell their stories, expose industry and destination opportu-
nities, by building the Cluster Village on the territory of the Parks premises. Delegates will gain better understanding of the overall economy and industry picture of
the country, by going through important topics in tourism, textile, healthcare and business consultancy.