CONFERENCE

OPEN TO DACHL COUNTRIES

POLAND, OLSZTYN, 7th MAY 2026

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

09:30 Registration & Coffee;

10:00 Welcome and opening remarks;

10:10 Presentation – Methods of finding contractors in German-speaking markets – Thomas Breitinger

10:30 Presentation – Methods for assessing business partner credibility in German-speaking countries – Weronika Duda

10:50 Coffee break

11:10 Presentation – Building effective business relationships in German-speaking markets versus the Polish market: A comparative analysis with emphasis on economic missions, trade fairs, and direct meetings – Patrycja Kosta

11:30 Presentation – Why it’s worth starting your export journey with e-export – Marius Heickmann

11:55 Elevator Pitch for representatives of foreign companies;

12:30 Lunch;

13:00 – 16:00 Networking

Conference location: Warmiński Hotel & Conference Olsztyn, Street: Kołobrzeska 1, 10-442 Olsztyn

If the Applicant has special needs resulting from a disability or health condition, please report this information. This will allow the organizer to take action related to preparing the event venue and/or the way content is presented, removing inconveniences, providing additional care in order to effectively participate in the conference.

Weronika Duda

Workplace: Kochański & Partners
Position: Partner / Head of German Desk
Period: Since 2022 – Present

Responsible for the German Desk at Kochański & Partners, supporting German-speaking clients in conducting business in the Polish market and implementing investment projects in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and cooperating with Luxembourg.

Workplace: Kochański & Partners
Position: Counsel / Senior Associate
Period: 2017 – 2022
Languages: Polish, English, German

Weronika advises Polish and foreign entities, particularly German companies, operating in the Polish market or planning to enter it. She provides comprehensive support to clients at every stage of starting a business in Poland—from company formation, through regulatory issues, to acquiring real estate for investment projects (such as logistics parks) and leasing office space.

She has extensive experience in corporate law, including company formation and structuring, ongoing corporate servicing, and regulatory advice related to starting and conducting business in Poland. She also advises on real estate transactions—from legal due diligence of properties, through negotiating acquisition agreements and construction processes, to commercialization. She has many years of experience in managing complex international projects.

Her specialization includes sale and leaseback transactions, advising on complicated sales structures and subsequent leases, taking into account the legal and factual status of the properties.

Among her clients are the largest German companies in the FMCG and automotive sectors, for which she has managed numerous real estate investments with a total value exceeding EUR 500 million.

Thomas Breitinger

Workplace: Altios (Altios International / Maier Vidorno Altios)
Period: Since approximately 2010 (over 15 years of experience)

He serves as Vice President / Head of DACH Outbound Division, responsible for the development of foreign expansion projects for companies in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and supporting businesses entering these markets, including in the context of collaboration with Luxembourg. He leads internationalization projects and teams executing activities for clients in Europe and beyond.

His areas of expertise include strategic and operational consulting in foreign expansion, including market entry strategy preparation, international business development, sales process support, and cross-border project implementation. He has experience working with companies from various sectors, including automotive, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, engineering, electronics, and automation.

He has over 15 years of experience in the internationalization of enterprises, particularly working with companies from the DACH region expanding into foreign markets. He combines education in economics and international politics with practical experience in managing expansion projects and building business relationships in Western European markets.

Languages: German, English

Patrycja Kosta

Workplace: BVMW
Period: Since 2004

She serves as the representative for Poland at BVMW, responsible for developing economic cooperation between Poland and the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) as well as Luxembourg. For many years, she has also represented the interests of businesses and institutions from Lower Saxony in Poland, supporting the development of economic relations and international projects.

Workplace: Sales Desk Polen (Founder and Manager) Period: Since 2005

She is the founder and leader of Sales Desk Polen – an organization supporting German companies in establishing operational and sales activities in the Polish market. She is responsible for developing market entry models, including creating sales structures, recruiting local teams, outsourcing operational functions, and developing sales channels for industrial and service companies.

She has over 20 years of experience in the internationalization of enterprises and B2B sales development, including expansion projects for German companies into the Polish market and Central and Eastern European markets. She specializes in eliminating market entry barriers by building local structures and ensuring access to business networks.

Languages: Polish, German, English

Marius Heickmann

Current Workplace: Altios (Switzerland)
Period: Since approximately 2014

He serves as Country Manager Switzerland and International Business Advisor, where he is responsible for supporting companies and investors in executing foreign expansion projects, particularly in the context of European markets, including the DACH region and Switzerland. He acts as a local partner for clients and the Altios business network in Switzerland.

His areas of expertise include designing internationalization strategies, developing B2B sales structures, building foreign teams, and managing cross-border projects, including acquisition processes and post-merger integration. He supports the transformation of market entry models, including the transition to direct sales and the development of local operational presence.

He has over 10 years of experience in international business development, project management, B2B sales, and building strategic partnerships in an international environment. He has an extensive network in the Swiss business ecosystem and practical knowledge of working in a multicultural setting.

Languages: German, English