Foreign experts and expats are really important for the city of Brno. They bring new perspectives, knowledge and experience that support the development of innovation, technological progress and science. They help build bridges between local institutions and global partners, making Brno an attractive hub for top companies, investors and the academic community. So, supporting their integration is a key priority for the city.
On 22 January, the fourth edition of the Meet the Mayor event took place at the New Town Hall, organised by the Brno City Council in cooperation with the Brno Expat Centre. Unfortunately, this year the Mayor Markéta Vaňková was unable to welcome the guests in person. On behalf of the city, Anna Putnová, a member of the City Council, and Martin Příborský, Head of the Strategic Development and Cooperation Department, spoke to the participants.
More than 60 experts from over 40 countries were at the gathering, including employees of top companies like Honeywell, SAP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Red Hat and Kiwi.com, as well as scientists from CEITEC and Mendel University. We also welcomed winners of prestigious awards like the Fulbright Scholarship, along with members of cultural institutions, such as the ballet company of the National Theatre Brno.
The event included an interactive discussion with three expats who’ve been living in Brno for several years. We talked about what they thought of the city when they first got here and what they like about it. They mentioned reasons like easy public transport, loads of green spaces, safety and the general quality of life. They also got an overview of Brno’s planned projects aimed at innovation, business support and improving the quality of life.
A really interesting part of the programme was a guided tour of the New Town Hall, which the Tourist Information Centre TIC Brno arranged for the guests. It was a great way for the foreign experts to get to know the city’s history and culture.
A big thank you to our partners at the Brno Expat Centre, who have long been helping foreign professionals to successfully integrate into life in the city. The Meet the Mayor event once again confirmed that Brno is a place open to global talent and cooperation.
We look forward to next year’s event, which will bring new initiatives and opportunities to share experiences and strengthen international ties!
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