Events Coverage

Back to work - BPCC's late-summer mixer, 2 September 2021

An annual fixture in the BPCC's social calendar, pandemic notwithstanding now for the second year in a row, is the end of summer-holiday mixer at Warsaw' Mamaison Hotel Le Regina. Thanks to our partners, Hays Poland and Pernod Ricard, members and guests could make the most of the fine late-summer weather and open-air courtyard to mingle safely, chat and swap business cards.

BPCC CEO Paweł Siwecki welcomed guests and introduced James Hughes, minister-counsellor for economic affairs at the British Embassy in Warsaw, who gave a short speech about the historical significance of the trading relationship between Poland and the UK. Marc Burrage, managing director of Hays Poland spoke about how recruitment, a bellwether sector of the economy, has bounced back from a near-standstill at the start of the pandemic. Hays has just enjoyed the best two quarters it has ever recorded in Poland. Andrzej Szumowski, vice-president of Wyborowa Pernord Ricard, gave a witty speech presenting some of the finest Scotch whiskys in Pernod Ricard's spirits portfolio, available for members to sample. BPCC board member Martyn O'Reilly, Scotland's trade envoy to Poland, was on hand to explain the subtle differences that exist between the great single malts from different Scottish regions.

The food, atmosphere, rare whiskys and animated conversation, continued throughout the night, BPCC members happy to have been able to mingle once again.

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Meeting up face to face – Nice to See You Again, Kraków

The 2021 series of Nice to See You Again mixers came to a conclusion in Kraków on 9 September. The event, held at the Mercure Hotel, was sponsored by real estate agents Savills and recruitment firm Michael Page.

Brexit and export of Polish food to the UK

From 1 October, the UK government is introducing new border checks on animal and plant products; these will make export of food from Poland to the UK more complicated. This webinar, held in Polish for Polish food exporters, looked at what the new border checks would mean, and how to prepare for them. Michael Dembinski, the BPCC’s chief adviser, opened the meeting saying that for the most determined exporters, prepared to deal with all the new paperwork, there would be many new opportunities. As exports from western European trade partners falter, more and more companies are withdrawing from the UK market, and so gaps appear that Polish firms could enter. Having the right strategy and marketing plans is key, he said.

International Oktoberfest returns to Wrocław

After a break last year for the pandemic, Wrocław’s International Oktoberfest made its return on 10 September 2021. Back for the 16th time, it was held this year for sanitary reasons in the fresh-air surroundings of the Toya Golf and Country Club, a little way north of the city. The event was organised by the BPCC, the Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Poland) and the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce. Traditionally, the International Oktoberfest draws the largest business crowd from across the region, but this year, numbers were limited because of Covid-19. Nevertheless, after a year’s absence, it was good to meet in person and the event was enjoyed by all.

Nice to See You Again event series complete its Poland summer roadshow