Texas Feels Slovenia event in Dallas strengthens Slovenia's visibility on the American market

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The event took place in Dallas, Texas, on April 8, 2022, in the hall of the Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 N Stemmons Fwy. 

The event was organized in partnership with several institutions: the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), SPIRIT Slovenia, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ljubljana Tourism, AmCham Slovenia and Sport Media Focus.

The Texas Feels Slovenia event included a business-investment conference (in the morning) and a Slovenian tourism workshop (in the afternoon).

In the afternoon part of the program, the Slovenian Tourist Board used the greater visibility of Slovenia, thanks to basketball ace Luka Dončić, to hold a Slovenian tourism workshop. Representatives of travel agencies and tour operators from Dallas learned more about Slovenia's tourist offers. Attractive holiday programs in Slovenia and diverse boutique experiences have been presented at individual working meetings by Slovenian tourism providers and organizations (Ljubljana Tourism, Maribor Tourist Board, Julian Alps, Ljubljana Castle, Sava Tourism, Thermana Laško, and KNM Travel, Kompas, PasSport Europe, Polka Dot Cycling and Palma), representatives of Turkish Airlines also attended the workshop. 

Ilona Stermecki, M. Sc., Acting Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board: “In the years before the pandemic, the number of arrivals and overnight stays of American tourists in Slovenia was constantly growing, the largest number of overnight stays of guests from the United States was recorded in 2019, 323,000. Last year, we recorded 95,000 overnight stays by American tourists, and interest in visiting Slovenia gradually increased in line with the release of covid - restrictions on intercontinental travel. The consumption of American guests in Slovenia is significantly above the average consumption of foreign guests, as they spend an average of EUR 158 per day on accommodation and current expenses, while in Slovenia, they spend 8 nights on average. "

In the morning part of the program, a business and investment conference was held, attended by Slovenian participants, potential American business partners and investors, representatives of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, and members of the Slovenian business development delegation.

Many top speakers presented to the American guests the Slovenian business environment and what Slovenia offers to North American companies that want to expand their business to the European market. Investment and business opportunities for American companies were also presented. Last but not least; also the Slovenian participants could learn about the opportunities of the American market through successful business stories.

The participants were greeted by Tone Kajzer, Slovenian Ambassador to the United States, and Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. Followed by a speech by Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks Basketball Club. Vid Habjan, Head of the Sector for the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investments at SPIRIT Slovenia, spoke about business and investment opportunities in Slovenia. A round table on the green, creative and smart Slovenia followed. Representatives of Slovenian companies L-Tek, Medex, Podkrižnik, Robotina, and RSG Capital have shared their views, and Boštjan Koritnik, Minister of Public Administration, has explained to the participants how public administration offers support to the economy and its development.

The stories of successful Slovenes and Americans with Slovene roots in Texas were not forgotten. Participants had the possibility to meet Randolph J. Bresnik, still an active NASA astronaut with Slovenian roots and a member of three space missions, where he spent a total of 149 days.

After the conference, business networking between the participants took place.

Rok Capl, Acting Director of SPIRIT Slovenia: "The business and investment conference, which we are organizing together with partners in Dallas, in the US state of Texas, which is the 10th largest economy in the world, opens up great opportunities to deepen existing and establish new cooperation between Slovenian and American companies. Namely, the US market is defined in the government's strategy as a priority market for increasing trade and the market from which we expect the most serious and capital- and industry-appropriate investors. I am convinced that this conference is an important step in achieving these goals. "

A 27-member development delegation of Slovenian businessmen from various sectors is also in the United States, looking for opportunities to deepen and establish business cooperation in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. The delegation members visited the leading companies in the energy, renewable energy sources, telecommunications, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and space technology. The delegation has also attended the Texas Feels Slovenia business event in Dallas.

Let us remind you: several Slovenian institutions entered a partnership with the Dallas Mavericks in 2020 to strengthen and increase the visibility of Slovenia and the national brand I feel Slovenia and to present the country, economy, investment, and tourism opportunities in the US market. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the planned promotional activities have been postponed and started this year with the I feel Slovenia Night basketball game.

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