Balkonnect Festival 2026 - B2B Matchmaking Event 

DAY 1 – Tourism & Experience Economy

Tourism is positioned as Albania’s strongest investment narrative and a core pillar of its national identity. The day targets investors, operators, developers, SMEs, and public authorities.

Morning Session
The opening ceremony is followed by mainstage discussions and thematic cubes focused on:

• Tourism investment in Albania and the Western Balkans

• Season extension and destination management

• Hospitality technology and experience design

• Cultural heritage and diversified tourism offers

• Creative economy as tourism infrastructure

SME exhibitions showcase tourism, food, cultural heritage, creative industries, tour operators, and experiential offerings.

Highlight Session: World Business Angels Forum – Balkans Meetup (Hosted by WBAF)
This flagship afternoon session reframes the Western Balkans as a strategic near-EU growth zone. The focus is on translating macroeconomic narratives into investable opportunities and creating direct pathways from dialogue to deal flow through structured matchmaking and follow-up mechanisms.

Key objectives include:

• Reframing regional investment perceptions

• Converting narratives into actionable opportunities

• Building investor-ready pipelines across the Western Balkans

City & Public Sector Project Pitches: From Concepts to Bankable Projects
Cities and public institutions present mature or near-mature projects with clear financing and implementation pathways. Emphasis is placed on:

• Investment requirements and capital structure

• Project maturity and readiness

• Expected returns and revenue models

• Implementation timelines

• Public–private partnership models and governance

Evening Session: Networking Cocktail (Invitation-Only)
A curated networking environment for investors, speakers, institutional leaders, and selected founders. The focus shifts from content to connection, recognizing that trust-based conversations after hours often lead to real deals and partnerships.