Central Europe Strategy Workshop in Warsaw
New year! New opportunities! New events! 2025 got off to a vigorous start and was an inspiring highlight for some members of the Gang, with Marijana, Steffi and Sarah jetting off to Warsaw on 13 and 14 January. More specifically, they were off to the first Central Europe Strategy Workshop where Westfield Rise teams from all over Europe duly convened. We reported last October on our reorganisation under Karolina Šustrová as Director of Westfield Rise Central Europe. All the more reason for the Gang to look forward to this team kick-off in Poland. A perfect way to launch headlong into the new year!
After the arrival and welcome, during which the Gang got to know the teams from Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Day 1 kicked off straight away with visits to the local Westfield assets Westfield Mokotów and Westfield Arkadia where impressions and inspirations awaited in abundance. And anyone who knows us knows that we work hard but also know how to enjoy ourselves! Cocktails and dinner together were the perfect end to an impressive first workshop day!
On Day 2, the focus shifted to mainly strategic matters at an all-day workshop. The joint brainstorming of optimised procedures for sales, business development and communications revealed the benefits of international teamwork: creating synergies and learning from each other.
After two hard-working but incredibly productive days, the Gang travelled back to Düsseldorf tired but with suitcase-loads of creative ideas and a thirst for action. “The kick-off showed us how much we can learn from each other. With the right impetus, it’s possible to achieve levels of collaboration that’ll strengthen the region sustainably in the years ahead,” said Sarah, summarising the experience.
Steffi was also delighted: “For me, the trip was a real eye-opener. Although in many ways the five CE markets all work differently, there’s huge potential for common growth and a whole raft of synergies to be exploited. I can hardly wait to tackle the next projects and drive them forward with people.”
The opportunity for this will certainly present itself soon, because this workshop was just the beginning of a series of regular meetings that will allow us to continue to grow together as Westfield Rise Central Europe. We’re already looking forward to the next workshops and the exciting projects that lie ahead!