-- ABOUT
A Global Stage for Competitiveness Leadership
The Global Innovation Summit is the GFCC's flagship annual event — a gathering that connects government, business, academia, and private sector from across all continents.
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In 2026, the Summit is hosted by the GBS (Glavbolgarstroy) in Bulgaria, with the support of the Advisory Council on Competitiveness of Bulgaria as co-organizer.
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The program includes keynote speakers, plenary sessions, innovation spotlights, a Gala Dinner, and Global Competitiveness Awards to recognize transformational leadership in transformational innovation and competitiveness strategies.
35+
300+
Expected participants
4
Days of programming
Attendance is by invitation only. The summit brings together senior leaders from government, industry, and academia — including GFCC members, fellows, and invited guests — for candid dialogue on the forces shaping global economic competitiveness.
-- PROGRAM
Four Days in Sofia and Plovdiv
From private strategy sessions to a landmark Gala Dinner and immersive site visits, the GIS 2026 is designed for in-depth discussions and impactful connections.
DAY 1
Monday, October 19
GFCC Annual Meeting
GFCC members & fellows only
-- Morning plenary (~60 guests, U-shape)
-- Afternoon breakout sessions
-- Welcome Reception at the National Museum of Archaeology
DAY 2
Tuesday, October 20
Global Innovation Summit
Open to all invited guests
​-- Panel sessions & keynotes (250–400 guests)
-- Sheraton Hotel, Sofia
-- Gala Dinner & Global Competitiveness Awards
DAY 3
Wednesday, October 21
Site Visits - Sofia
GFCC members & fellows only
-- Visits to innovation sites & industry leaders
-- Groups of 25–40 per site
-- Transportation provided
DAY 3
Wednesday, October 21
Site Visits - Plovdiv
GFCC members & fellows only
-- Cultural & industrial exploration
-- Visits to Plovdiv's innovation ecosystem
-- Groups of 25–40 per site
-- THEMES
Energy, Infrastructure, and Digital Innovation
Six interconnected themes frame the October 20 conference program — each one tied to the forces driving (or constraining) economic transformation in Europe and beyond.
Energy Security & Independence
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Diversification strategies, the Vertical Gas Corridor, and the transition to domestic renewable capacity.
Future Energy Grids
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Aging infrastructure upgrades, cross-border interconnectors, grid digitalization, smart and distributed micro-grids.
Infrastructure as Competitive Advantage
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Public-private partnerships, EU fund absorption, and the investment climate for large-scale infrastructure.
AI & Digital Innovation
Economic opportunities in the digital and AI era, the future of work, and governing the digital age.
Nuclear & Next-Gen Energy
Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment, the Nuclear Alliance, and building a clean baseload strategy for Europe.
Competitiveness Frontiers
Building innovation ecosystems, EU convergence & integration, and translating strategy into measurable economic impact.
-- ORGANIZERS
Hosted by
The global network connecting competitiveness and innovation-focused organizations across 35+ countries. The GIS is GFCC's flagship annual event.
GBS (Glavbolgarstroy) is the largest construction group in Bulgaria and one of the biggest in South-eastern Europe. GBS specializes in infrastructure, residential, commercial and industrial construction projects. GBS is a member of the GFCC.
Partners and Co-organizers
Advisory Council on Competitiveness of Bulgaria
Contributing national competitiveness expertise and connecting the Summit to Bulgaria's innovation policy agenda.