Slaven Bilić Headlines Sport Fest in Poreč
The new Vatreni head coach will share insights from his rich career and his vision for the future of Croatian football at the conference on October 15-16.
The new Vatreni head coach will share insights from his rich career and his vision for the future of Croatian football at the conference on October 15-16.
The new head coach of the Croatian national football team, Slaven Bilić, will be the headline act at this year's Sport Fest conference, scheduled for October 15-16, 2026, in Poreč. At a time when he is taking on one of the biggest challenges of his career-assembling a new national team and preparing for upcoming qualifying cycles-Bilić will share his thoughts on sporting excellence, leadership, and building a winning squad.
His keynote will offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into the mindset of one of Croatia's most respected football minds, who has left an indelible mark on European and world football throughout his distinguished career. Bilić will also touch on current sports topics, the challenges of modern football, and the future of sport and its related industries.
Slaven Bilić boasts an impressive coaching résumé. As Croatia's head coach, he led the national team to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, one of the first major successes for the young nation on the big stage. Following that, he successfully managed a string of prestigious clubs around the world.
His coaching journey has taken him to Turkish giants Beşiktaş, English Premier League sides West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford, Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow, Chinese outfit Beijing Guoan, and Saudi side Al Fateh. In each of these environments, according to Sportske novosti, Bilić placed equal emphasis on tactics, character, interpersonal relationships, and the development of leadership qualities.
The centerpiece of the Sport Fest program is a major conference featuring eight panels and lectures. These will address key topics such as sports management, leadership, marketing, health, and technology. Leading domestic and international experts will present trends and solutions shaping the future of sport.
Over two days, the conference will bring together renowned speakers from the fields of sports management, marketing, event organization, and sponsorship. Attendees can expect inspiring lectures, panel discussions, and workshops focused on knowledge exchange, leadership skill development, and fostering new ideas. Organizers anticipate a record number of participants and visitors this year, further cementing Sport Fest's role as the region's key meeting point for anyone looking to advance sport and sports business.
