Hungarian Summit 2023: Strengthening American-Hungarian Business and Academic Relations
The Hungarian Summit 2023, now in its third edition, witnessed the presence of a distinguished delegation from the USA. The delegation comprised top leaders from various fields, including representatives from Nascar, the economic development council of 17 states, the director of the UCF Incubation program, and delegates from six other prominent universities.
Over the course of five days, the Hungarian Summit brought together 500 participants from 12 American states and featured a 14-member delegation team. The event took place across three cities and involved the participation of 7 universities, 3 former U.S. ambassadors, 10 professional partners, and witnessed 4 significant announcements. With numerous media appearances, the Hungarian Summit garnered widespread attention and recognition.
The event commenced with a reception at the residence of Neil Pickett, the Trade Advisor of the U.S. Embassy, where the American trade and education delegation visiting from Florida to Hungary was warmly welcomed. The Deputy Chief of Mission, David Holmes, and Neil Pickett, along with Piros Pazaurek, Honorary Consul of Central Florida and HungarianHub's leader, jointly greeted representatives from the Hungarian business and academic communities at a networking reception. In his welcome speech, David Holmes highlighted the strength of the longstanding American-Hungarian trade relations. This reception, attended by more than 70 participants, marked the beginning of a series of events throughout the week that aimed to promote American investments and trade with Hungary and facilitate the expansion of academic, commercial, and investor relationships between the American and Hungarian counterparts.
On Tuesday, the delegation had the privilege of being received by István Jakab, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, where a symbolic sculpture by Boldi, Rollerező, was presented to Mayor Henry of Daytona Beach, Florida. The sculpture represents the hope that it will be realized in its full size in the city of Daytona Beach, symbolizing the strong ties between the two regions.
The day continued with a visit to METU (Budapest Metropolitan University), where fruitful discussions and presentations on American-Hungarian relations in the field of education took place. The event received coverage on Index.hu, further emphasizing its significance.
In the evening, a Danube River cruise dedicated to higher education provided an opportunity for engaging speeches on Hungarian higher education by Miklós Lengyel, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, András Báló, Head of the Higher Education Training Department at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (KIM), and Zoltán Dubéczi, Secretary-General of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference.
The delegation also had the pleasure of visiting the city of Győr, where they were welcomed at the Town Hall. The visit was covered by Győrplusz.hu, highlighting the presence of the American delegation.
During their visit, the delegation had the privilege of learning about the cutting-edge research projects and educational programs at Széchenyi István University. Dr. Eszter Lukacs shared the university's vision for innovation and highlighted its efforts to cultivate an environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration among students and faculty members.
The delegation was particularly impressed by the university's dedication to fostering strong relations with international partners. The discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration between Széchenyi István University and educational institutions in the United States. The exchange of ideas and experiences aimed to pave the way for future academic partnerships and student exchanges, facilitating mutual growth and knowledge-sharing.
The delegation had the opportunity of exploring the Audi Hungaria facility, the largest factory in the world, which stands as a testament to technological innovation and manufacturing excellence. Led by knowledgeable guides, the delegates were immersed in the intricate processes and advanced technologies employed in the production of Audi vehicles. Witnessing the scale and efficiency of the operations left a lasting impression on the delegation, showcasing the remarkable achievements of the Hungarian automotive industry.
Continuing their engagement with the education sector, the delegation had a valuable opportunity to meet with higher education students at Révai Gimnázium.
On June 8th, the Hungarian Summit witnessed a "big day" filled with prominent personalities from various fields at University of Public Services. The presence of renowned individuals such as Dénes Kemény, Gór-Nagy Miklós, Pokrivtsák Mónika, and Oroszlán Szonja added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. One of the major highlights of the day was the announcement of an American sports scholarship, providing a valuable opportunity for aspiring athletes.
During the afternoon session, the event featured a business and education track, with Gábor Tóvári-Nagy leading the business track. The focus of the discussions revolved around high-performance organizations in the US market. Three successful businesses, including Tilesh György, Herein András with Julius K9, and BeStrong were introduced, showcasing their accomplishments in the United States and providing valuable insights to the attendees.
The education track at the Hungarian Summit 2023, led by Dr. Judit Trunkos, focused on promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange between Hungarian and international educational institutions. The track aimed to facilitate the establishment of exchange programs, foster partnerships between universities, and encourage the exchange of students, professors, and educational practices.
The sessions were led by rectors of Hungarian universities, who shared insights into their institutions and discussed opportunities for cooperation with international partners. The track emphasized the importance of building bridges between nations through educational exchanges, allowing students and faculty members to gain valuable international experiences and perspectives.
Through presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, the education track provided a platform for participants to explore potential collaborations, discuss best practices in education, and identify opportunities for joint research projects. The goal was to strengthen educational ties between Hungary and the U.S. fostering mutual understanding and promoting academic excellence through international cooperation.
The program continued with a delightful wine tasting session, featuring the exquisite wines of Bodri Winery. Participants had the opportunity to savor the rich flavors and appreciate the excellence of Hungarian winemaking. During the wine tasting, an exciting announcement was made by the USA Accelerator and the UCF Incubation Program. They announced their collaboration for future education, soft landing programs, accelerator opportunities, and more. This partnership aims to create valuable opportunities for Hungarian businesses in the US market.
In the evening, a grand gala dinner took place, hosted at the University of Public Services. The dinner proved to be a remarkable occasion, featuring a panel discussion with three former Hungarian ambassadors to the United States - Ambassador György Szapáry, Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi, and Ambassador László Szabó. The esteemed panelists shared their diplomatic experiences and insights, highlighting the significance of strong bilateral relations between Hungary and the United States.
The Hungarian Summit 2023 served as a platform for meaningful exchanges, fruitful discussions, and the forging of valuable connections. It brought together representatives from academia, business, and diplomacy, fostering collaboration and celebrating achievements.
The organizers of the Hungarian Summit 2023 extend their heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and partners for their invaluable contributions. Their support and active involvement ensured the success of the event, which further solidified the bonds between the United States and Hungary.
About the Hungarian Summit:
The Hungarian Summit is an annual event that aims to enhance business and academic relations between Hungary and the United States. It provides a platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and cultural exchange, facilitating the development of strong and mutually beneficial partnerships.
