What’s Next for the Veszprém-Balaton Region? – Professional Conference
What makes a city or region a place where it’s good to live, work, and create? What role do culture, tourism, and collaboration play in this? On October 12, 2026, we’ll seek answers through domestic and international examples as well as the latest research findings at the professional conference titled “What's next for the Veszprém-Balaton Region?”
A joint professional event organized by the Balaton Tourism Research Centre (BATUKI) at the Faculty of Economics of Pannon University and Veszprém-Balaton 2023 focuses on a question that seems simple yet is complex: Where do we want to live? And why?
Using domestic and international examples, we will examine the factors that make a city or region attractive and livable. What role can tourism and culture play in this? How can partnerships contribute to a region’s long-term development? And how can we build on the experiences, achievements, and legacy of the Veszprém-Balaton European Capital of Culture program?
The conference speakers will share their thoughts and research findings on current issues in the Veszprém-Balaton region with the participants.
The event’s international speaker is Charlotta Mellander (professor of economics at Jönköping University in Sweden), whose research focuses, among other things, on the creative sector and the role of creative individuals and businesses in regional development.
She is known worldwide as a researcher in urban development, regional attractiveness, and creativity. In her lectures, she uniquely combines hard economic indicators, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit with “soft” values such as openness, tolerance, and human happiness.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the latest research findings from the University of Pannonia, which are examining the long-term impacts of the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 program series. In addition, the Faculty of Economics will present its international projects related to tourism.
In addition to the professional presentations, the event provides a forum for collaborative thinking, the exchange of experiences, and networking among professionals involved in tourism around Lake Balaton and the development of the region.
The conference also serves as a local partner meeting for the Interreg Europe ECoC ECHO project.
Date: October 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Pannon University, Building B, 2nd-floor conference center
8200 Veszprém, Egyetem utca 10.
Details and registration: https://www.gtk.uni-pannon.hu/hu/batuki-hirek-esemenyek/
Let's think together about the future of Veszprém and the Lake Balaton region!
