Can Polish Entrepreneurs Speak with One Voice?

This was the central question explored during a conference held on 7 September 2015 in Zawiercie, which brought together a broad representation of Polish business leaders. The event, titled “Can Polish Entrepreneurs Speak with One Voice?”, drew over 100 participants from across Poland and sparked a valuable discussion about the unity and future of the business community.

Key Takeaways

“Association is likely the only effective way to protect shared interests.”

This was the most powerful conclusion reached during the discussions, which united representatives from various business circles. The consensus was clear: in order to have a real impact and protect their rights, Polish entrepreneurs must organise and cooperate.

About the Event
The conference was initiated by ANRO, in cooperation with businesses from Zawiercie and Częstochowa. Its main objective was to stimulate regional and local integration within the SME sector – and judging by the turnout and engagement, it was a resounding success.

Participants included representatives of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises from across the Silesian region, as well as guests from Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, and Lublin. Local authorities from the City of Zawiercie also attended.

Notable Guests Included:
Cezary Kaźmierczak – President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP)
Jarosław Chołodecki – Vice-President of the Association of Family Business Initiatives (IFR)
Dariusz Jadczyk – President of the Regional Employers’ Organisation in Częstochowa

Political Dialogue
The second part of the event featured a panel discussion with parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2015 general elections, allowing entrepreneurs to directly address and challenge future lawmakers on key issues facing the Polish SME sector.

Media Coverage & Further Reading:

• Family Business Portal
• Family Business Project 2
• Website of the city of Zawiercie
• Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers
• Family Business Initiative
• Polish Radio Katowice
• Republika Television
• Event page