On 13th July 2016, SME EUROPE of the EPP hosted a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament on the Role of SMEs during Slovakia´s EU Presidency. It´s focus was on the expectations placed on this new Presidency and its agenda. The occasion was kicked off by welcome remarks given Mr. Ivan Štefanec MEP, Vice President of SME EUROPE, followed by the honorable speech of Mr. Peter Javorcik, Ambassador of the Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the EU. Afterwards Mr. Bendt Bendtsen MEP, President of SME EUROPE, gave an…

On 12th July 2016, SME EUROPE of the EPP hosted an event in the European Parliament addressing a growing trend by airlines to encourage and incentivise direct sales. It identified the potential resulting opportunities and challenges for small and medium sized travel agent providers in a steadily growing and increasing complex airline market. Mrs. Claudia Monteiro De Aguiar MEP, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, kicked off the event by giving an overview from a travel and tourism perspective. She stated that travel and tourism as a sector…

On 14th of June, SME Europe in cooperation with the European Heat Pump Association as well as the European Building Automation Controls Association (EU.BAC.) held a Working Breakfast on The Human Dimension of Energy Efficiency in Buildings. President of SME Europe Bendt Bendtsen MEP, welcomed the guest by emphasizing the importance of the issue at hand. He outlined that it is crucial to listen closely to the consumers as there was now the opportunity to generate untapped potential in the field of energy efficiency. Thomas Novak, Secretary General of the…

On 2nd of June SME Europe of the EPP welcomed a high level group of female experts to discuss the topic of Female Entrepreneurs and Digital Business. Dr. Horst Heitz, Executive Director of SME Europe warmly welcomed the panelists by emphasizing the importance of the topic. He outlined that while women tend take less risks as well as starting businesses in areas of their expertise, they also have higher rates of success. However, as a consequence there lies a huge potential within Digital Business for females. FEM President Adelheid Moretti…

SME Europe of the EPP was delighted to host a two part debate over the course of a day handling the following issue: “Humanitarian and economic challenges through the refugee crisis and migration – What are Europe´s answers?” The first part of the debate was held in the Salon des Membres in the European Parliament where the participants enjoyed an agreeable lunch whilst listening to the panel consisting of Dr. Thomas Mann MEP, Johannes Hintersberger (State Secretary of the Bavarian State Ministry for Work, Family, and Social Integration), Rolf Baron…

SME Europe of the EPP was delighted to host a Working Breakfast titled: “Data Protection fit for the Startup-Age”. The Event focused on the correct implementation of EU legislation in this field and whether it is suitable for the requirements of European SMEs and more specifically, startups. Michał Boni MEP welcomed SME EUROPE and the cooperation partner Allied for Startups, as well as the Polish start-ups and all other speakers and participants. Mr. Boni explained that the implementation of the Data Protection Regulation itself is just the beginning of a…

On 25th of May SME Europe of the EPP, the European Travel Commission, Amadeus in cooperation with the European Tourism Manifesto stakeholders and MEP Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar hosted a Network Reception in the European Parliament for the launch of the Working Group on: Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto. The Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto highlights the key EU Policy priorities for the sector in the coming years on topics ranging from skills and qualifications to sustainability and competitiveness of Europe´s tourism. Over 20 European organisations have already…

On 22th of April SME Europe in cooperation with Iuliu Winkler MEP organised a 3-day Business Trip to the one of the most eminent economical centres of Romania – Transilvania. The first Vice president of SME Europe Iuliu Winkler MEP opened the conference with a warm welcome and a huge thank you to all guests and speakers for coming to Sibiu. Carmen Marcus, Economic Governance Officer of the Representation of the European Commission in Bucharest, gave an introduction towards general financial possibilities for SMEs in Romania. Subsequently Eberhard Sinner, President…

On 19th of April SME Europe in cooperation with MEP Rosa Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein hosted a working breakfast on the subject of the importance of the end of roaming for Europe’s Digital Single market. Although legislation has been passed in 2015, the political importance and impact of the end of roaming will now begin to be noticed. Moreover, the legislative and economical challenges have yet to be tackled. Roza Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein MEP opened the Working Breakfast by welcoming the attendees, expressing her gratitude for the…