Re-design Your Thinking. Refresh Your Business Network.
Have you ever thought about how you can expand your business network successfully? If you're a company owner, I'm sure you have. So have we, and that's how CoMeet came to life. Today we're about to start the next edition of this event, and it's a perfect time to get a closeup at what CoMeet is and how it works.
I'm talking with Olga Komorowska - Partnership Manager at Codete, who has been involved in this initiative since its early beginnings.
Dominika: I cannot start our interview with a different question than the one about your role at Codete. Who is the Partnership Manager? What do you do in this position?
Olga Komorowska: I started my adventure with Codete from the Sales Team nine years ago when there were only 34 employees on board (and today, we have over 300!). Now, after all this time, my range of duties expanded and changed, transforming into two branches. One is related to the international conferences organization, and the other is to search for the possibility of cooperation with other firms.
I like to think of myself as someone who, should you come to me, will be able to put you in touch with the right person to carry out your plan. What motivates me the most is seeing the results!
D.M.: What is CoMeet?
O.K.: CoMeet is an exclusive networking event hosted for AI, ML, and Data Science technologies specialists, as well as for business strategists.
It's divided into two parts. At first, the guest speakers perform in Lightning Talks - related to selected topics, and then there's time for casual talks and relationship-building throughout the evening. Each Lightning Talk is a case study full of lessons, tips, and warnings that should inspire the audience to face challenges.
During the second part, we're exchanging experiences with others because it happens pretty often that it's been a long time since our last meeting. CoMeet is like mutual needs research: participants tell us what their current challenges for which we find technological solutions are, and we let them know what can be done and how they can be supported. As a result, we "connect dots" to work out the best strategy for each of them together.
D.M.: Where did the idea of CoMeet come from?
O.K.: It came to life from the need for networking. Planning this initiative, we've been considering strengthening existing relations. It became possible by combining three factors: presenting ourselves as experts, sharing knowledge, and gaining knowledge from other specialists.
During the first edition of CoMeet, there were about 30 participants, and that's when we realized that what matters a lot is this friendly, private atmosphere. It may seem a few, but the more guests you host, the less time you have to talk to them truly.
D.M.: Which edition of the event will take place this year?
O.K.: The first edition was organized in 2018 in Berlin, and this year we'll be hosting the CoMeet for the seventh time, including the third time in the German capital city. Everything started from our networking event in Krakow in May 2017 because we wanted to begin with a place we know the most. But then a thought appeared: "Hey, why not try it out in Berlin? That's where Codete comes from! And we have so many clients there who don't know each other", so we knew that soon we'll take this direction.
D.M.: How many people work on the CoMeet preparations? How long does it take to plan and organize the whole event?
O.K.: It'd be easier to say who is not engaged in this project! [laugh].
Starting from Milena [Kula - Travel & Events Coordinator at Codete], who takes care of finding the place for CoMeet and catering services; the Marketing team, which prepares promotional materials; the Business team - responsible for inviting our clients and contacts to the event, Codete Executive Board… There're a lot of people from the Business Department.
And finally, my job is to take care of the speakers presenting their Lightning Talks.
While arranging the speakers' list, we're doing our best to find as many extraordinary cases as possible. Wojciech Pindel - Presales Lead at Codete, who profoundly knows trends in the IT market, plays a vital role at this stage.
And answering your question about the preparation period - it's never enough time to realize everything we'd like to because new ideas appear daily. We want CoMeet to be as valuable as possible to all participants.
D.M.: Where does CoMeet take place? What were other localisations that you've already visited with this event?
O.K.: In 2023, CoMeet returns to Berlin, where it started, but in the previous years, we also organized editions in San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Santa Clara, and Krakow - quite international, as you can see. What's important is that the initiative is entirely on-site. We believe that, especially now, after the pandemic, people need this personal contact with others and the occasion to rebuild relations.
D.M.: What makes CoMeet so important for Codete?
O.K.: First of all, while thinking about CoMeet, we focus on meeting our clients and partners in person. The original form of this event gives us that chance, and it's even more vital if you realize that an on-site meeting always lacks time. During CoMeet, it's possible to re-think and re-discuss all the essential topics for us and to "dive" deeper into the current market needs and expectations.
We planned to create a space dedicated to endless conversations, meetings with many people at one time, and building up new networking possibilities.
This combination of our and our clients' needs makes CoMeet the Codete-focused event, but it also enables the participants to benefit from natural, dynamic networking.
D.M.: And who can not miss this year's CoMeet?
O.K.: CoMeet is the initiative dedicated to the company's decision-makers. If you want to keep your ear on the ground and learn from other people's experiences and mistakes, CoMeet is a perfect place for you.
Moreover, it can't be missed by all of those who are fascinated with Chat GPT and AI used in management. The title of this edition will be "Reimagining Business: Powering Profitability in the Digital Age," and Codete will be represented by Dawid Pacholczyk, our Head of Consulting Department. The complete list of speakers is still being discussed, but I think what we can already reveal is that we're talking with Finanz Informatik and Saxenhammer, and the representatives of these companies are already confirmed as speakers. It makes us very happy and excited.
This year's CoMeet will be concentrated on the challenges in the IT and AI industries brought to us in the upcoming months. How will that news affect business? How will it change? If these questions are your cup of tea, write down the 22nd of June in your calendar.
D.M.: What was the essential lesson the CoMeet organization gave you? Which situation will you remember for a long time?
O.K.: Undoubtedly, the greatest surprise for us was the organization of CoMeet in San Francisco because we had to do it… fully remotely. Only our Executive Board could be on-site then, so all of the technical details were set up from Poland. It's getting quite challenging when you must make some decisions and choose items or locations without seeing them live.
I remember when we were looking for a place to arrange the meeting, and that's when we learned how important it is to use Google Street View more than just around the chosen address. [laugh]
D.M.: Does the fact that you've already participated in such events previously help you organize CoMeet?
O.K.: Of course it does! Participation in similar events lets us gain knowledge and experience, but it's also always a source of inspiration. I think it's worth mentioning TOA Berlin, with its Satelite Events and Rise of A.I. here, as the most stimulating for us.
D.M.: What did we gain from the previous editions of the event? Please tell us a bit more about the benefits.
O.K.: What we are gaining with each edition of CoMeet, is experience. What used to look time-consuming and challenging at the beginning today is our preparatory routine. But the crucial value of CoMeet is the bunch of contacts we can make with people worldwide.
Just look at the list of our guests from previous editions to know that each meeting was an inspiring opportunity to plan joint projects.
Jaekob Chenina - Principal Product Manager for Strategy & A.I. at Oracle, Steve Hershman - Director at mHealth, Volker Brendel - C.I.O. at Wenn Digital & Creator of KODAKOne platform, Maryam Ramezani-Bartsch - Senior Director at Adidas Group, José Guerra - Engineering Lead at myTaxi…
I could be listing these names for a long time. [laugh]
That's what CoMeet gives us and how it drives us to act!
D.M.: Ok, it's a perfect moment to ask the question that probably many of our readers have in mind. How can you sign up for CoMeet?
O.K.: CoMeet is an event open to all technologies enthusiasts, but our potential partners and clients have priority to sign up, and the number of places is limited.
The main idea of CoMeet is to stay open and give a space to exchange information and experience with anyone interested in tech topics. So, if you're considering joining us - don't forget to book your place!
D.M.: Thank you for this conversation, your time, and your dedication to explaining the idea of CoMeet to our readers. It was a perfect occasion to get to know more about CoMeet firsthand.
O.K.: Thank you, and I hope I'll see many of you in Berlin soon!
If you're curious about CoMeet 2023 in Berlin, visit the official website and follow the news. And if you'd like to know more about our clients whom you can meet during the event, look at Codete's portfolio.
