The CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) is being held at the Podkarpackie Province Exhibition and Congress Center as part of the ZEN.com Expo. One of the key events was a special meeting dedicated to Polish-American relations, with a focus on entrepreneurship and startup development. The session was organized by the Podkarpackie Center for Innovation and the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency.

The Podkarpackie Regional Government was represented by Marshal Władysław Ortyl, Deputy Marshals Piotr Pilch and Karol Ożóg, as well as Executive Board members Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak and Anna Huk. Regional councilors also attended, led by Chairman Jerzy Borcz.

“We meet here in Podkarpacie not by chance, as we are one of the leading regions in Poland in terms of American capital investment. We’ve been building mutual business trust for over 20 years, ever since representatives of the aviation industry, such as Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft, first arrived here. Their success attracted more companies. I’m pleased that on the 12th anniversary of my election as marshal, I can host you here in Podkarpacie, where tradition and values combine with innovation and economic development,” said Marshal Władysław Ortyl in his opening remarks.

CPAC is an annual conference, historically held mainly in the United States, and has brought together conservative politicians and activists from around the world since the 1970s.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda, in his closing speech at CPAC, stated:

“I’m glad this event is taking place here in Podkarpacie. This region has a particularly important meaning for Polish-American relations. The arrival of American troops in Podkarpacie was a symbolic moment in our cooperation. I thank Marshal Władysław Ortyl for all the crucial events for Poland’s security that have taken place in this region. I have no doubt that the United States has been—and will remain—a guarantor of peace in the world.”

During the parallel “Polish-American Startup Business Mixer” conference, Marshal Ortyl emphasized the importance of youth involvement in Poland:

“I believe the future of the economy lies in innovation, and its driving force is young entrepreneurs. They are the ones creating solutions that change the world. I’m glad Podkarpacie can be a platform for exchanging experiences on Polish-American startup cooperation,” he said.

Participants of CPAC included, among others, President Andrzej Duda, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, European Conservatives and Reformists leader Mateusz Morawiecki, and President of the Institute of National Remembrance Karol Nawrocki.