Kite Flight 2026

We are pleased to announce that Estonia’s most influential economic conference, Kite Flight, organised by the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, will take place on 4 March 2026.

Kite Flight is the annual economic conference of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, where we focus on the most important issues for employers and the wider Estonian economy and society.

Why does it matter?

The Estonian economy and businesses have reached a turning point. The cost advantage we have enjoyed so far is fading, and now we aim to take the economy to the next level. If we want to rise to the top of the economic league, we must take the next step: increasing the value we create and the ambition with which we do it.

Conference Theme

“Kite Flight 2026: How Do We Take Estonia to the Top of the Economic League?”
The conference will bring together the brainpower of entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and visionaries to seek answers to the questions that will shape Estonia’s next leap forward:

• What is the economic premier league, and what have other countries done to get there?
• What is our next opportunity in international business and competition?
• What are Estonia’s most innovative companies doing to stay competitive on the world stage?
• What are the export strategies and success factors of internationally successful Estonian companies in difficult times?
• How can we shape a national image that attracts high value-added investment and jobs?
• How can we rekindle in society the hunger and ambition for the changes needed for economic development and rising prosperity?
• What is Estonia’s economic vision, and what are the key actions needed to realise it?

We believe the answers will come through collaboration – between business, government, academia and the community. That is why we invite you to join us at the conference to think, speak and create.

Speakers

The stage will feature influential entrepreneurs and recognised leaders, including:

• Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia
• Ain Hanschmidt, Chair of the Council of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation
• Hando Sutter, CEO of the Employers’ Confederation
• Martin Sutrop, Tech Group Manager (Company of the Year 2025)
• Kaspar Korjus, Founder and CEO of Pactum AI (Innovator of the Year 2025)
• Madis Müller, Governor of Eesti Pank
• Margus Uudam, Board Member of EstVCA and Co-founder of Karma Ventures
• Oliver Kotkas, Chief Operating Officer of Foxway Recommerce Mobiles and Management Board Member of Foxway OÜ (Foreign Investor of the Year 2025)
• Marju Lauristin, Sociologist and Social Scientist
• Risto Mäeots, CEO of Magnetic MRO (Company of the Year 2017)
• Marten Merdikes, CEO of Auroom
• Vincenzo Guzzo, Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation
• Taavet Hinrikus, Co-founder of the investment company Skaala
• Jüri Külvik, Founder and CEO of the Lemeks Group, one of Estonia’s largest industrial companies
• Ursel Velve, Head (CEO) of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS)
• …and many other influential entrepreneurs and executives.

More speakers are joining soon. We will announce the program at the beginning of 2026.

Conference Hosts

Liisu Lass and Johannes Tralla.