On Thursday, September 10th 2026, the Municipality of Velenje will host the sixth international Welcome Future Conference in the Grand Cinema Hall of Hotel Paka. This year's edition will focus on the future of European cities and their transformation into centres of knowledge, innovation, and high quality of life.
Under the theme Cities in Motion, the conference will bring together representatives of cities, businesses, research institutions, development agencies, startup ecosystems, and policymakers from Slovenia and abroad to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the cities of tomorrow.
How Cities Can Become Laboratories of the Future?
Today, European cities no longer compete solely for investment. They compete for talent, knowledge, innovation, and quality of life. Many post-industrial cities face similar challenges: how to redefine their development identity, retain young talent, transform existing industrial infrastructure into new opportunities, and create an environment where innovation and new businesses can thrive.
Velenje is one of the European cities actively shaping its future. As a member of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and a city undergoing economic transformation, it has the opportunity to become a hub for experimentation, collaboration, and the development of innovative solutions for the future.
Through inspiring examples from across Europe, the conference will explore four key pillars of successful urban transformation:
- Knowledge and Talent
- New Technologies and Entrepreneurship
- Community and Citizen Engagement
- Supportive Environment and Innovation Ecosystems
Special attention will be given to cities as laboratories of the future—places where new ideas, technologies, and business models are developed and tested in real-life urban environments. As a member of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and a city undergoing economic transformation, the Municipality of Velenje offers a unique environment where the future is not merely planned on paper, but actively created through collaboration between citizens, businesses, research institutions, and the local community.
How can we create an environment that attracts talent, fosters innovation, strengthens communities, and unlocks new opportunities for growth?
Welcome Future 2026 will provide answers, inspiration, and valuable networking opportunities for everyone who believes that cities are the key laboratories for a sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven future.
Getting to the Conference Venue
We encourage all participants to travel to the venue on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport (Lokalc). If you are arriving by car, please park in the Mercator Parking Garage and walk to the Grand Cinema Hall of Hotel Paka. If you are travelling as part of a group, we encourage you to share transportation whenever possible to help reduce traffic and environmental impact.
— SPEAKERS —
Who Is the Conference For?
The conference is intended for everyone shaping the future of cities, including:
- Representatives of cities, municipalities, and regional authorities
- Urban planners, architects, and city development professionals
- Researchers, academics, and students
- Businesses, startups, and innovation organisations
- Policymakers, NGOs, and anyone interested in sustainable urban development
Conference Objectives
- Showcase inspiring examples of successful urban transformation across Europe.
- Foster the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices.
- Connect cities, businesses, researchers, and policymakers.
- Co-create sustainable and innovative solutions for the cities of tomorrow.
REGISTER NOW
CONFERENCE AGENDA
— Organizers of the Conference —
Funded by the Horizon Europe Programme – Enabling City Transformation (Zero Move).