The corporate calendar: What’s on this October?

As October kicks off the final quarter of the year, executives and business professionals find themselves inundated with a busy corporate calendar.

With key conferences, networking opportunities, and industry-specific gatherings taking place across the island, it’s easy to miss an event.

To help you stay on top of things, here are nine events taking place within the next few weeks:

1. Bridging Markets: Malta – Germany Business Symposium

Organised by The Malta Chamber, the symposium will take place on Monday 7th October at the Meridiana Wine Estate, Ta’ Qali, from 6:30pm onwards.

This event, through the participation of various stakeholders, will provide participants with new resources and tools to help the Maltese business community explore opportunities in the German market.

Speakers are:

• Chris Vassallo Cesareo – President of The Malta Chamber

• Rachel Bondi Attard – Head – Media and Communications Strategist at the Malta Chamber

• Helga Ellul – Former CEO at Playmobil Malta

• Maria Cilia – CEO of Lufthansa Technik Malta Ltd

• Sven Olaf Rieck – Head of Economic Affairs, Media and PR at the German Embassy in Malta.

• Sebastian Euchenhofer – Team Leader – Market and Business Development at AHK

• Michael Seifert – CEO and Managing Director at Siefert Systems Ltd (Malta)

2) The Accountancy Profession: An evolving profession

The Malta Institute of Accountants is organising a half day conference and a networking lunch on Thursday 17th October at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar.

Starting at 8 am the conference will discuss the topic of accountancy and the fast-paced evolution of the current landscape.

The conference will tackle opportunities offered by growing technological innovation, as well as the role the profession plays when it comes to sustainability.

It will also discuss ethical dilemmas and will feature an intervention by Helen Brand, the CEO of ACCA.

3) The Startup Festival

The annual Startup Festival will be taking place between Thursday 17th and Saturday 19^th October at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali.

The yearly event is organised by Malta Enterprise to strengthen the Malta startup ecosystem. It will bring together entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and investors to explore emerging trends and innovations.

The festival will feature two days of speakers, panels, workshops and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Chiliz and Fan Token CEO Alexandre Dreyfus, startup ecosystem builder Jihane El Atifi and ecommert Founder and CEO Mert Damlapinar among others.

In addition, the festival will have “an official matchmaking tool” called the deal room where startups can meet potential investors to enhance their businesses.

4) HR Evolve – Technology Learning Development

Less than two weeks away, happening on Friday 18th October, the annual conference is synonymous for all things related to HR, Training and Business Management

Organised by the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD) and held at the Hilton Conference Centre, HR Evolve will include four keynote speeches.

• Keyonte 1: Strategy, Capability and Talent: “Our people are our most important asset”

To be delivered by: Robin Hoyle, Head of Learning Innovation – Huthwaite International

• Keynote 2: Balancing Data and Humanity: The Path to impactful learning technologies

To be delivered by: Daryna Kosse – Global L&D Manager and Transformational Leadership Coach

• Keynote 3: How we personalised learning by recommending courses based on employee and course competencies aligned with grow talent people strategy

To be delivered by: Hakan Sahin, Head of Global HR People Analytics – Sony

• Keynote 4: Translating purpose and values into real experiences

To be delivered by: Greta Rapinett, Customer Strategist and Business Trainer

5) Women Elevation Malta x Skill Zone Malta

Skills Zone Malta and Women Elevation Malta are collaborating for their networking event on Friday 18th October at The Meeting Place in Marsa.

Women Elevation Malta is an NGO aimed at dismantling barriers and providing equal opportunities for women to access resources, funding, and support services.

During this event, like-minded people from Malta and Skills Zone’s Globtrotters partners from Italy and Spain will be  present to discuss their latest project.

6) Voluntary Occupational Pension Plans: The Way Forward

On Monday 21st October, the Malta Business Network (MBN) will be organising an event at The Xara Lodge, Rabat, between 6 and 8pm.

Moderated by Ganado Advocates Partner Matthew Bianchi, the event will host a panel of experts about the feasibility and benefits of a voluntary pension scheme. Specifically, it will discuss the potential implementation of a voluntary pension scheme and its impact on Malta’s financial and business sectors.

The panel will feature:

• Matthew Brincat – Expert in pensions and employment law

• Etienne Sciberras – CEO of MAPFRE MSV Life

• Gregory Inglott – CEO of HSBC Life Assurance Malta Ltd

7) EY Future Realised 2024

This year marks EY’s 20th edition of its EY Malta Future Realised. The conference, set to take place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre will explore the results of EY’s Malta Attractiveness Survey and navigate Malta’s future through five key perspectives: Build, share, engage, generate, and change.

Discussion will revolve around Malta’s strain on infrastructure, the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The event will take place on Wednesday 23rd October between 8:30am and 5pm. 

8) Playcon

Another major event will take place at the MFCC Ta’ Qali between Thursday 24th and Sunday 27th October.

Playcon 2024 is a major gaming and esports expo bringing together enthusiasts, developers, and industry professionals.

The event will feature a mix of technology showcases, game development insights, and esports tournaments.

Playcon offers a good opportunity for developers to present their latest projects, network with industry leaders, and participate in engaging discussions about the future of gaming and digital entertainment.

9) Budget 2025

Ending the list with a bang, on Monday 28th October, Government will announce the Budget for the upcoming year. While this is not an event to attend to, many people across Malta to tune in for next year’s budget and take note about upcoming measures and economic updates.

As usual, the Government remained tight lipped about the bulk of the budget but has indicated and announced a few measures. This includes:

• The extension of the food and energy subsidies.

• Self-employed parents undergoing IV will get 100 hours of paid leave.

• Talks with the European Commission over Malta’s Corporate tax regime.

• Major tax relief for Malta’s middle class.