Home Trade shows Why does Impact CEE attract international businesses to Poznań?

Trade Show Guide · Economy, Technology, Geopolitics

Why does Impact CEE attract international businesses to Poznań?

Impact CEE is one of the largest economic and technology conferences in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing together leaders from business, politics, and academia since 2016. The next edition, Impact’27, will take place on May 12–13, 2027, in Poznań.

  • 7300Impact’26 participants
  • 650speakers at Impact’26
  • 25thematic trails in 2026.

Figures: data from the trade show organizer.

The Impact CEE agenda brings together topics related to business, technology, the economy, geopolitics, and culture. Here, debates on artificial intelligence go hand in hand with discussions on the economy, security, and social change.

According to the organizer, the most recent edition of the event, Impact 2026, drew 7,300 participants and 650 speakers, including Justin Trudeau and Olga Tokarczuk. The program featured 25 thematic tracks and 94 hours of panel discussions. This diversity attracts people from a wide range of fields to Poznań—from business and new technologies to academia, the media, and the public sector.

For brands participating in Impact, what matters is not only visibility, but above all the opportunity to connect with a wide variety of audiences and business partners.

What is Impact Poznań, and what makes it unique?

Impact Poznań, known as Impact CEE, is one of the largest economic and technology conferences in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing together leaders from business, politics, science, and technology since 2016. This event brings together global decision-makers and experts from various fields, offering an opportunity to learn about the perspectives shaping the region’s future and to network with representatives of global brands.

This event stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, evident in its 25 thematic tracks. The agenda also covers geopolitics, culture, and health, fostering innovation at the intersection of various fields. The congress serves as a microcosm where social trends and public opinion for the entire CEE region are shaped.

Participating in this event is a strategic networking opportunity. Here, you’ll meet people who are making a real impact on digital transformation and the green economy. Networking zones make it easier to connect with others. Companies often invest in the design and setup of their exhibition booths to stand out among the thousands of attendees.

When and where is Impact Poznań taking place?

When will the next edition of this event take place, and when will future editions be held?

The next edition, Impact’27, will take place on May 12–13, 2027, in Poznań. The event is held annually, bringing together leaders and experts in the fields of economics and technology. Previous editions in Poznań have also taken place in May.

The 2026 edition took place on May 13–14. It was the 11th edition of the congress, held at the Poznań Congress Center, which is part of the Poznań International Fair (MTP).

Edition Deadline Location
Impact ’26 May 13–14, 2026 Poznań Congress Center (MTP)
Impact ’27 May 12–13, 2027 Poznań Congress Center (MTP)

The venue in Poznań allows for multiple panels to be held simultaneously. The Ziemia Hall can accommodate up to 2,000 people, and the entire complex—including the exhibition halls—can accommodate nearly 20,000 participants. The 2026 edition comfortably accommodated 7,300 people and ensured a comfortable experience during 94 hours of debates.

If you’re planning to participate in future editions, be sure to check the dates well in advance. Companies such as BWS Expo Plus support exhibitors by offering project management—from concept to dismantling. At Impact’26, we built booths for, among others, Ladybugs, Industrial Development Agency and Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Who performed at Impact 2026 in Poznań, and what was on the program?

The Impact 2026 program featured presentations by 650 speakers across 25 thematic tracks, focusing on key economic and technological challenges. Participants had the opportunity to explore topics in the fields of geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and culture.

Among the guests at this year’s event were world leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Amal Clooney, Daron Acemoğlu, Kristalina Georgieva, and Scott Galloway. Olga Tokarczuk, Timothy Snyder, Jeff Koons, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk also took the stage. The event attracted 7,300 participants. The high turnout, combined with the vast number of debates, shows that participants are seeking in-depth knowledge and concrete business connections.

The program for this conference has been divided into categories that allow participants to tailor the content precisely to their business needs. Examples of thematic tracks include:

  • Geopolitics and the Economy – analysis of international relations and markets.
  • Digital Transformation and AI – the implementation of new technologies in businesses.
  • Cybersecurity – Data protection in the age of digitalization.
  • Green Economy – sustainable development and environmental protection in business.
  • Health and Culture – the impact of these areas on quality of life and innovation.

This multidisciplinary approach sets this conference apart from strictly technology-focused events. The presence of scientists and politicians alongside CEOs of global corporations makes this event in Poznań a microcosm of the changes that will shape the CEE region in the coming years.

How much do tickets for Impact Poznań cost, and how can I get them?

Tickets for this event are available only after registering on the official platform, pass.impactcee.com. The organizers offer various participation packages tailored to the participants’ professional profiles. The final price is displayed after logging into the system.

To get tickets, complete the registration process at pass.impactcee.com, specifying your preferences and selecting the appropriate access level. The choice of a specific package is often driven by the desire to minimize the risk of missing out on connections and to gain more reliable access to networking opportunities with global brands.

What impact does Impact Poznań have on the local economy and the MICE sector?

This conference has a significant impact on the local economy, stimulating the development of tourism infrastructure and business services in Poznań. Events of this scale attract thousands of visitors, generating increased demand for hotels and dining options.

Events of this kind drive the entire MICE sector in Poland. According to the Poland Events Impact 2023 report, the total contribution of the meetings industry to the Polish economy exceeded 54.6 billion PLN. The congress in Poznań is part of this trend and brings together the worlds of science, culture, and business. The city is becoming a hub for innovation, attracting companies interested in designing and building trade show booths.

The high turnout—exceeding 7,000 participants—demonstrates the business value of networking at such an event. Participants seek specific knowledge across 25 thematic tracks. The 2026 edition served as a powerful economic driver, enhancing the CEE region’s prestige on the international stage.

How is Impact Poznań different from Infoshare Gdańsk?

Impact Poznań and Infoshare Gdańsk are the region’s leading economic and technology events. Impact in Poznań focuses on political and economic issues and global strategies, while Infoshare in Gdańsk focuses primarily on technology and the startup ecosystem.

By choosing Impact Poznań, you gain access to a multidisciplinary community where debates on AI and cybersecurity are interwoven with panels on geopolitics and culture. The event brings together leaders from business, academia, and politics, such as Justin Trudeau and Olga Tokarczuk in 2026. The conference featured 25 thematic tracks and many hours of debates. This structure facilitates networking with representatives of global brands such as Mastercard and Santander.

Feature Impact Poznań (2026) Infoshare Gdańsk (2026)
Number of participants 7300 about 6,000
Number of speakers 650 more than 160
Thematic Trails 25 –
The main focus Economy, Geopolitics, AI Technology, Startups, Business
Date (2026) May 13–14 May 20–21
Location Poznań Congress Center (MTP) AmberExpo, Gdańsk

If you’re planning to exhibit at one of these events, keep in mind that the scale of Impact requires precise space planning. BWS Expo Plus handles project management and builds large-scale booths that help you stand out among the crowd of several thousand visitors.

Is Impact Poznań an event just for a select group of people?

No. Impact CEE attracts people from a wide variety of backgrounds—business, technology, science, media, culture, and the public sector. There is a fee to attend the event, and the organizer offers various types of tickets.

The scale and diversity of the event are well illustrated by the 2026 edition, which brought together 7,300 participants and 650 speakers from various countries. Among the guests were Justin Trudeau, Amal Clooney, and Olga Tokarczuk, among others.

Diversity is one of the defining characteristics of Impact CEE – On these same stages and in these same spaces, representatives from various industries and communities come together—people who don’t necessarily have the opportunity to talk to one another on a daily basis.

Our booths at Impact

At Impact’26, we built four booths: for Biedronka, the Industrial Development Agency, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Impact has its own unique character—uniform facades define spaces that can be designed internally to meet the needs and brand identity of each specific brand.

Impact — frequently asked questions

We’ll design and build your booth at Impact CEE. BWS EXPO Plus—an experienced contractor specializing in exhibition spaces for brands and institutions at Impact in Poznań.

Tell us which edition of Impact you are attending, how much space you have and what you want to achieve. We will prepare a concept and a quote for your booth — design, production, transport and assembly handled by one team.