General info
Welcome to Brno for this year’s
INTERNATIONAL TALENT NETWORK meeting!
We’re thrilled to host you in our wonderful city of Brno. Here’s the basic information you need to know.
Date: 22 – 24 September 2026
Participation: 2 persons per organisation
Cost: Participation is free. We will cover all workshop costs, refreshments, and dinner on Day 2.
Find all the key information for the conference below.
All is also included in a special conference app which you can use (without any downloading) and have all of the key facts on your phone.
AGENDA
Day 1 – Tuesday 22 September 2026
- 15:00 – First meeting at Domini Park, Panenská 1
- 15:30 – Welcome, introductions, guest speeches
- City of Brno
- Regional Innovation Strategy, David Uhlíř
- Brno Expat Centre, Jan Kopkáš
- Talent Attraction and Integration Management, Frank van Bommel
- Keynote: Measuring Success (presentation and discussion): Dan Topinka, senior researcher, Sociofactor
- 18:00 – Leave for accommodation
- 19:00 – City discovery walks with Brno expats, starting with a quick excursion at BEC, Orlí 3
- 20:00 – Dinner get-together and sharing (self-paid) at Baroko, Orlí 17
Day 2 – Wednesday 23 September
- 09:00 – Walk-in at KUMST, Údolní 19
- 09:15 – Workshop pitches
- 09:30 – 11:30 – Measuring Success (plenary workshop)
- 11:30 – Break, refreshments
- 12:00 – 14:00 – Workshops 1+2
- Building Connected Communities
- Career Support for Internationals
- 14:00 – Break, lunch, coffee
- 15:00 – 17:00 – Workshops 3+4
- Communication & Public Support
- Inclusive Employment
- 17:00 – Short wrap-up of the day
- 17:30 – Free time
- 19:30 – Dinner and evening programme at L’Eau Vive, Petrov 2
Day 3 – Thursday 24 September
- 09:30 – Meet at Tržnice, Zelný trh 16
- 09:45 – Workshops summary and takeaways
- 10:30 – Feedback, questions, discussion
- 11:30 – ITN Forward: Setting the agenda for the year ahead
- 12:00 – Conclusions
- 12:30 – Lunch, coffee & departures at BEC, Orlí 3 (luggage storage option until 6pm)
WORKSHOP THEMES
Based on plenary voting during the prior months, the following topics have been selected for this year’s workshops. All of them will take place on Wednesday:
9.30 am: Measuring Success
(plenary workshop for all)
The focus is on how to use data and evidence to better understand and show the quality, value and contribution of expat services and how to measure the positive impact of internationals in the city. The aim is to identify meaningful indicators — what is worth tracking and measuring — so we can see whether and how much we influence outcomes across different service areas.
12 am: Career Support for Internationals
This workshop looks at career support as part of talent retention, while clarifying what expat/talent centres can reasonably provide. The focus is on effective tools, target groups and service boundaries: when career support helps keep internationals in the region, what level of support is appropriate, and where the role of the expat centre should end.
12 am: Building Connected Communities
The focus is on community activities that help internationals get together with locals, connect to city life and build relationships beyond isolated expat bubbles. The aim is to identify practical formats that prevent segregation, create common ground, reduce stereotypes and support social cohesion — including ways for experienced expats to support their peers.
3 pm: Communicating the value of internationals
This workshop focuses on how to communicate the value of internationals to local residents, politicians, employers, public institutions and media. The aim is to combine data, human stories and clear messages to build public understanding, reduce negative narratives and strengthen political support for talent attraction and integration work.
3 pm: Inclusive Employment
This workshop looks at practical tools and products that help employers hire, onboard and retain international talent more effectively. The aim is to focus on: what employers can improve internally, and what services and how expat centers can design, package and deliver, so that employers can effectively use it in practice.
I.e. you can attend one workshop in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Select your workshop in the registration form.
ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES
TRAVEL
Brno is easily reached via a 2-hour train or bus ride from Vienna, Prague, or Bratislava airports. Feel free to refer to our detailed expats’ arrival guide.
ACCOMMODATION
You may enjoy a discount at the iconic Hotel International (close to all venues). Use code ITN2026 to book (available until 15 August).
Other great options include:
- Hotel Avion (the unique modernist “narrowest hotel in Europe”)
- Hotel Continental (another big modernist one)
- Royal Ricc (historical boutique hotel)
All events will take place in the city centre within easy walking distance.
LEISURE / TOURIST INFORMATION / SOUVENIRS
What’s Brno really about? Check out what “the Honest Guide” (youtube video) says! 😉
Please note that thanks to the Brno Convention Bureau you have free entry to several Brno’s sights: the Old Town Hall Tower, the Cellar beneath the New Town Hall, the historical Ossuary (2nd largest in Europe) and the 10-Z Bunker illusrating the times of the Cold War. You can access your entry tickets via the conference app.
If you’d like to find out more about all the quirky sides of our city, check out the Go to Brno website and the Tourist Information Centre with their interesting and unique souvenirs.
MORE FUN AFTER
September is wine harvest season in South Moravia! We highly recommend staying longer, over the weekend, to enjoy the local wine culture and explore the region with friends. 🙂
REGISTRATION FORM