DSB - Timber Construction Fair Brno 2027

She originally thought she would become a neuroscientist. However, during her Fulbright stay in the USA, instead of discovering a “cure for Alzheimer’s,” she realized that she enjoyed communicating science even more. She now works as a freelance science journalist and moderator, most frequently writing for WIRED Czech Republic and hosting the programme Žárovky on Czech Radio. She also communicates science through social media and her newsletter #PíšuOVědě (“I Write About Science”). This year, her book Invisible Women in Science was published.

Jan Kubata is the CEO of Veletrhy Brno, where he plays a key role in the development and management of one of the most important trade fair organizations in Central Europe. Under his leadership, the company focuses on modernization and innovation, with an emphasis on implementing new technologies. His vision includes developing international cooperation and strengthening Veletrhy Brno’s position in the global market. Thanks to his experience in both the private and public sectors, he contributes significantly to building a living laboratory at the Brno Exhibition Center. During his career, he served as director of the CzechTrade agency’s foreign office in the United States and later became director of the CzechTrade foreign network, an integral part of which is supporting Czech companies in doing business abroad, trade fair business, and foreign trade. He has also held public office, including as mayor of Ústí nad Labem and deputy minister of justice.

Karel Havlíček is a Czech economist, manager, academic, and politician with many years of professional and public experience. He graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), holds an MBA from the Prague International Business School, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Economics in Prague (VŠE), Faculty of Business Administration, and was awarded the title of associate professor at VŠE’s Faculty of Finance and Accounting. Professionally, he led the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Sole Proprietors of the Czech Republic and managed the Sindat industrial group for nearly twenty years, where he was also a co-owner. He was a member of numerous government advisory bodies, including Vice-Chairman of the Government Council for Research, Development, and Innovation, and the author of the Czech Republic’s innovation strategy “Czech Republic: The Country for the Future.” He has served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade, and Minister of Transport. In his role in the opposition, he focused on economic policy, served as chairman of the ANO shadow cabinet, and authored the economic strategy “Czech Republic: A Country for the Future 2.0.” He is a long-time educator, founder of the Faculty of Economic Studies at VŠFS, and author of dozens of academic publications. His interests include rock and folk music. He is married and has two children. He is fluent in English, German, and Russian. He has a working knowledge of Spanish, French, and Chinese.

Petr Štěpánek heads the Center for Regional Development of the Czech Republic, which manages European funds focused on regional cohesion and cross-border cooperation. Previously, he led the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic, was instrumental in launching the Green Savings program, and served as a consultant on projects for the European Investment Bank and the UNDP. At the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, he focuses on smart cities, design, and brand management; he previously taught at the Czech Technical University in Prague and at the Faculty of Arts and Architecture at the Technical University of Liberec. He has also contributed to research on policies related to affordable and sustainable housing.

Jaromír Wasserbauer, Ph.D., was born on April 30, 1985, in Havlíčkův Brod. He graduated from the Secondary Industrial School of Chemistry in Brno and subsequently from the Faculty of Chemistry at Brno University of Technology, where he earned his Ing. and Ph.D. degrees in the field of mechanical properties of inorganic materials. In 2021, he was appointed associate professor in the field of Chemistry, Technology, and Properties of Materials at the Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology. He served as head of the Laboratory of Metals and Corrosion at Brno University of Technology. He has established himself professionally in the field of materials research and surface treatments of metal alloys. He also oversaw collaboration with industrial partners and was responsible for the technical and administrative management of grant projects (e.g., TAČR, TRIO, and GAČR). He is the author of numerous publications in impact-factored journals, holds EN ISO 9001 laboratory certification, and serves as the course coordinator for several courses in chemical engineering. At the Ministry of the Environment, he intends to focus on environmental protection through modern technological processes. His interests include his family, self-education, energy, ecology, and new technologies.

Marek Sovka is the Deputy Governor of the South Moravian Region for regional development and coordination of the EDU II project (Units 5 and 6 at Dukovany). He has long been dedicated to rural development, supporting municipalities, and major strategic projects in South Moravia. Today, he is most focused on the project for the new units at Dukovany, where he brings together municipalities, the region, the state, and the public to ensure that the entire region benefits from this “project of the century.” Beyond politics, he is deeply involved in the community life of small towns—from supporting associations and cultural events to projects for seniors and landscape revitalization. He enjoys modern communication, social media, and finding ways to explain complex topics to people in a simple and understandable way.

JUDr. PhDr. Martin Příborský, EMLE "A member of the Brno City Council responsible for strategic development and metropolitan cooperation. He holds degrees in law and political science and has professional experience from the European Commission in Brussels, where he focused primarily on competition policy, the protection of the EU’s financial interests, and EU funds. He has been active in Brno’s local politics for several years. In his work, he focuses on supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, science, and research, as well as on preparing key strategic development documents. In the area of metropolitan cooperation, he is primarily responsible for managing EU funds and the Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) instrument, which support strategic metropolitan projects."

Miroslav Žbánek, MPA, is the chairman of the Association of Municipalities of the Metropolitan Area and Agglomeration (SO MOA). He serves as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and as vice-chairman of the Committee on Public Administration and Regional Development. He is a member of the Government Council for Public Administration and the Committee on Regional Policy of the Czech Republic. He has many years of experience at both the municipal and metropolitan levels—he served as mayor of the Statutory City of Olomouc for seven years and chairs the Steering Committee of the Olomouc Agglomeration. In his role, he strives to build a stable platform for the coordination of metropolitan areas and agglomerations. He emphasizes the sharing of know-how, strengthening cooperation, and preparing for the 2028+ period, including participation in the creation of strategic documents. Another key issue for him is the importance of integrated territorial investments as a tool for developing and strengthening the role of metropolitan areas in the Czech Republic.

Mayor of the municipality of Vysočina, chair of the Working Group on Rural Services, and advocate for preserving rural life.

Monna is a Finnish expert in urban development and innovation who works at the intersection of urban development, public administration, competitiveness, and innovation policy. Her work focuses on strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and building cooperation between cities, regions, the state, research institutions, and businesses. She is particularly interested in how cities can function as strategic platforms for economic growth and renewal, and she brings practical experience from the Tampere region, one of Finland’s leading innovation hubs. At the URBIS conference, Monna will present insights from the Finnish model of collaborative governance and innovation policy, with a special focus on Finland’s strategy for sustainable urban development and the InnoCities network. Her perspective combines strategic public leadership, regional development thinking, and a strong belief in cities as engines of innovation, regeneration, and public value.

Wim De Kinderen works at the Brainport Eindhoven EU Office in Brussels, where he represents the city of Eindhoven (NL), Brainport Development, and other economic entities in negotiations with partner regions and European institutions. In this role, he is responsible for policy advocacy, networking and communication, and project development. Within the city of Eindhoven, he is a member of the strategic department. Throughout his career to date, he has focused primarily on issues of regional economic development in Belgium.

Ákos R. Wetters is a mentor, coach, and lecturer working at the intersection of entrepreneurship education, educational innovation, and innovation ecosystems. He began his career at international corporations in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, after which he founded four companies in the fields of operations, supply chain consulting, intrapreneurship, and open innovation. In the academic sphere, he focuses on research into challenge-based learning within entrepreneurship education. Today, he mentors students, professionals, and startups, helping them build an entrepreneurial mindset, foster collaboration, build relationships, and drive innovation across teams, organizations, and ecosystems. He is curious, creative, and positive by nature, and is inspired by new ideas, adventure, and great espresso.

David Michalička has been the mayor of Říčany since 2020. By trade, he is a builder and designer, but above all, he is a dad, a sports enthusiast, and an ordinary guy. Říčany is close to his heart. His priorities include infrastructure, as well as innovation and support for community life. He has long been driving progress in Říčany in the areas of active mobility, public transportation, technology, and the care of public spaces and the surrounding landscape. There’s no point in writing more—let’s meet in person ;)