A milestone day for Hungarian–American cooperation
On June 5, the Corvinus Gellért Campus—provided by Corvinus University—hosted the 5th Hungarian Summit, a full-day event that clearly demonstrated the boundless opportunities that still exist in Hungarian–American relations. The conference focused on the future of transatlantic cooperation, scientific and business innovations, and the international intersections of sports and culture.
The “Big Day” featured more than 50 speakers and professionals, addressing nearly 200 participants, including leading figures from business, science, higher education, public life, and sports—as well as emerging young talent.
The organizers aimed to build real bridges between the two countries in business, higher education, innovation, culture, sports, and the nonprofit sector. The Hungarian Summit began in 2020, founded by Piros Pazaurek, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Central Florida and the founder of HungarianHub.
Cross-border connections and transatlantic dreams
The central question of the conference asked whether America is still the land of opportunity, and whether the American dream still exists—not only as a personal aspiration, but as a foundation for bilateral cooperation. The motto of Hungarian Summit 2025, “U.S. and Hungary: Together Beyond the Sky,” reflected this idea and illustrated how cross-border connections can become a reality through tangible examples.
The event welcomed a high-level American delegation of over 15 members from institutions such as the University of Central Florida, Space Florida, Rotary Club, NASA-affiliated organizations, as well as leaders from academia, business, startups, nonprofit sectors, cultural, and sports diplomacy.
One of the highlights was the delegation’s official visit to the Hungarian Parliament, where they were welcomed by Deputy Speaker István Jakab, followed by remarks from György Zsolt Papp, Imre Vejkey, Katalin Szili, and Piros Pazaurek.
Shared initiatives and unforgettable moments
A significant milestone in international cooperation was the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Daytona Beach Rotary Club and the Sasad Rotary Club of Budapest. The signing ceremony took place at the residence of the U.S. Commercial Counselor, with several high-level participants in attendance.
The 5th Hungarian Summit was hosted by Krisztina Bombera and Barnabás Szabó‑Sipos, and opened with a live performance by Auguszt Bárió, singing the iconic “In Dreams, America.” Star Wars fans were also in for a surprise, with special themed moments throughout the day.
In the business section, Hungarian and American experts discussed the current economic landscape and U.S. regulatory changes, led by Dorottya Mártonffy-Nagy. Speakers included entrepreneur Péter “Petya” Balogh and cancer researcher Dr. István Peták.
In the higher education and innovation section, Dr. Judit Trunkos of Robert Morris University led discussions on university cooperation. The Summit has already sparked or supported at least eight bilateral agreements.
Lasting impact and a forward-looking vision
The Hungarian Summit also gave special attention to sports, scholarships, and student opportunities. The U.S. Market Entry Bootcamp Program, organized by USA Accelerator, reached its peak during the event, ending with an awards ceremony for eight Hungarian businesses.
The panel talk “Beyond the 50 Stars – From Hungary to the World” featured Hungarians with international careers and emphasized cultural adaptability and perseverance.
A spotlight was placed on the HYPE MIND initiative by the Hungarian American Coalition, connecting young Hungarian talents to global networks.
The final day, June 6, featured the “Race is On” Innovation Pitch Day in Győr, where Hungarian startups pitched to a U.S. jury. Two winning projects received one-year incubation slots in Florida and a flight to the U.S., supported by the University of Central Florida and the National Association of Entrepreneurs.
The American delegation also visited Debrecen and several Hungarian universities, including Óbuda University—one of Hungary’s leading institutions for space and tech research.
The U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest was the event’s main partner, continuing its long-standing support for Hungarian–American business ties.
Hungarian Summit 2025 was more than just a conference—it was a real bridge between Hungary and the United States. Over six days, more than 880 people participated in programs, partner meetings, and community-building initiatives across the country.
