ASPIRE Conference Update
How to Get Involved
Early-bird 1–15 Sep · Content & competitions · VIP networking on 7 & 9 Oct
Dear colleague,
I’m writing to share an update on this year’s ASPIRE Conference & Festival — and how your organisation can get involved.
This year is about growing the market together: strengthening cooperation, forming new partnerships, and trying new ways of working. It’s a chance to meet centre leaders and teams, public officials, and academics — and to place your brand at the heart of Kraków’s business services community.
🌟 Highlights
The Dragon’s Teeth
7–9 October 2025, Kraków
The Dragon’s Teeth draws on the myth where the dragon’s teeth, once sown, grow into warriors who build a city. For us, the “teeth” are our skills and wider ecosystem — services, infrastructure, and partnerships — that turn potential into shared impact. This year we ask: how do we build our common future together?
Three Days • Three Audiences • One Purpose
Day 1 – Grand Opening
Tue, 7 Oct — Palace of Fine Arts
Invitation-only evening for senior leaders from business, culture, and media — a prestigious setting for high-level networking and profile building.
Day 2 – The Festival
Wed, 8 Oct — Forty Kleparz
A one-day celebration of our sector, bringing together up to 1,500 participants — centre leaders and teams, service providers, city/regional officials, students, and media. Multiple stages host shared learning, panel discussions, leader talks, culture, a live concert, and the ASPIRE Dragon Awards.
Day 3 – Leaders’ Summit: The Kraków Compact
Thu, 9 Oct — Zinar Castle
Invitation-only strategy forum co-hosted with the City of Kraków: presentation of new report on Working with Universities, followed by a networking lunch.
Ways to Participate
Competitions
- Film Competition — 2-minute team videos; screened across the venue and entered into the ASPIRE Dragon Awards.
- Poster Competition — spotlight an innovation or insight; displayed in a dedicated expo, with top posters competing for an ASPIRE Dragon.
Content Opportunities
- Panel discussions and peer sessions (aligned to themed stages)
- Mentoring Corner (career reflections and practical tips)
- Open Mic (short, focused practitioner talks)
- AI Use Cases (mini-demos, guided walk-throughs)
Sponsorship Opportunities
- Access: passes across Days 1–3 (incl. VIP lounge on Day 2), reserved seating
- Visibility: logo on websites/app, printed programmes, venue big screens, sponsor wall/photo backdrop
- Content & profile: on-stage acknowledgements, video interview, spotlight in ASPIRE channels; option to welcome at specific sessions
- Activation: branded space on Day 2, demo booth in the Future Forum, branded poll/survey in the event app, coffee station/lounge
- Media: social spotlights, inclusion in selected press, option for a dedicated email to attendees
- Add-ons: stage/area naming rights; Poster or Film Awards sponsor; branded networking zones
Tickets (Day 2)
A high-value day for shared learning, relationship-building, and collaboration.
Early-bird: 1–15 September:
- 599 PLN per person — teams of 20+
- 649 PLN per person — teams of 10+
- 699 PLN — individual
© ASPIRE • The Dragon’s Teeth • 7–9 October 2025 • Kraków
