General Assembly & EWP Awards 2024: A Night of Inspiration and Celebration
On the 18th of November 2024, the Luxembourg-Poland Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) hosted its annual General Assembly and the Grand Finale of the 11th Entrepreneurial Woman Project (EWP) at the elegant Banque de Luxembourg. The evening brought together members, supporters, and participants for a heartfelt celebration of entrepreneurship, camaraderie, and achievements.
The General Assembly: A Year of Progress and New Horizons
The evening began with a warm welcome from Katarzyna Białek, the vibrant host and former LPCC team member. Setting an enthusiastic tone, Kasia guided the audience into the heart of the evening’s agenda.
Our host, Kateryna Koval from Banque de Luxembourg, delivered an inspiring speech celebrating entrepreneurship and the profound value of the Entrepreneurial Woman Project. She shared what the initiative means to her personally, as a woman, and to Banque de Luxembourg as a company. Kateryna’s words underscored the importance of empowering entrepreneurs, fostering growth, and building meaningful connections within the community.
LPCC President, Artur Sosna, delivered an overview of the chamber’s achievements over the past year, reflecting on 143 impactful events organised to date, cementing LPCC’s role as a hub for networking and collaboration. He also emphasized the chamber’s growing LinkedIn community, nearing 3,000 followers, and shared plans to continue steady membership growth while actively seeking sponsors to support future initiatives.
A key highlight of the presentation was the announcement of the upcoming launch of the International Forum of Polish Business Leaders (IFPBL), introduced by Darina Mohamad. This exciting new initiative is designed to foster international collaboration and strengthen connections within the global Polish business community.
Adam Tymofiejewicz, LPCC Vice-President, followed with a transparent and comprehensive report on the chamber’s financial standing. He outlined a 20% projected rise in membership payments (with eight new members), a 20% rise in sponsorship revenue, and a 50% growth in advertisement sales for 2025.
The subsequent voting on key resolutions reaffirmed the members’ confidence in LPCC’s strategic direction.
Entrepreneurial Woman Project Awards: Celebrating Empowerment and Friendship
The second part of the evening, introduced by Katarzyna Białek, shone the spotlight on the Entrepreneurial Woman Project (EWP). Project Managers Marta Andrzejewska and Oliwia Gertych shared heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and trainers whose support brought this initiative to life. They highlighted the project’s essence: empowering women with no prior business experience to become confident entrepreneurs.
This year, the award ceremony featured a keynote speech by Betty Fontaine, CEO of Brasserie Simon, Luxembourg’s beloved family-owned brewery. Speaking candidly about failure as a stepping stone to success, Betty moved the audience with her raw honesty and encouragement to persist despite challenges. Her words resonated deeply, leaving attendees inspired.
One by one, eleven of the thirteen Entrepreneurial Woman Project participants proudly took to the stage to receive their diplomas. As they introduced themselves and shared their projects, the atmosphere brimmed with pride, support, and shared triumph. These women not only developed valuable entrepreneurial skills throughout the workshops but also forged lasting friendships and a supportive network to carry forward into their journeys.
Awarding Excellence
The emotional highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Best Business Idea Presentation winners:
- 1st Place (€3,000, sponsored by AKD): Monika Makosz, receiving the prize from Nicolas Gordi-Lopez, Marketing & Communications Officer at AKD.
- 2nd Place (€2,000, sponsored by ATOZ): Tamara Dzhanashiia, receiving the prize from Petya Dimitrova, Partner at ATOZ Tax Advisers Luxembourg;
- 3rd Place (€1,000, sponsored by BSP): Monika Ruseva, receiving the prize from Pauline Wirtzler, Avocat à la Cour and Senior Associate at BSP;
During the event, Monika – the 1st prize winner – had the opportunity to pitch her business idea, Lite Bite Bakery, to the audience, presenting her story and vision.
She shared how her passion for baking began over a decade ago, starting with a simple request for her son’s first birthday. What started as a personal endeavour grew into a mission to create healthier, lighter versions of traditional treats, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions. After completing pastry school in Paris, Monika refined her skills, learning to formulate her own recipes from scratch. With Lite Bite Bakery, she strives to offer a guilt-free experience for those who thought they had to give up sweets, living by the motto “Sweetness without sacrifice.”
Her heartfelt words about the EWP experience itself, underscored the value of the skills gained, the support shared, and the unyielding spirit of the participants.
A Night to Remember
As the formalities concluded, attendees moved to the networking area, where glasses clinked, laughter filled the air, and conversations blossomed. Surrounded by delightful snacks and drinks, the women celebrated not just their individual achievements but the collective strength and support that had emerged over weeks of intensive training.
The evening was a testament to the LPCC’s mission to empower, connect, and inspire. The Entrepreneurial Woman Project has once again proven to be more than just a series of workshops; it is a platform for growth, transformation, and community.
Stay tuned as we share more details about the innovative business ideas presented by this year’s participants in the coming days. And for now, let us continue to champion women in business and celebrate their remarkable achievements together. Check out our photo gallery to relive the unforgettable moments of this special evening.
Content curated by:
Oliwia Gertych,
LPCC Team
