The landscape of the Baltic economy is shifting, and with it, the initiatives designed to support its growth must also evolve.
In a recent candid discussion, CORE Summit founders Samuel Põldaru (CEO) and Marek Truumaa (Programme Manager) sat down to explain the rationale behind their transition from Impact Day to the CORE Summit.
The Rationale for the Pivot
The conversation opened with an exploration of why the team decided to move away from the established Impact Day brand. Samuel addressed the fundamental shifts in the global and regional marketplace that made the previous model unsustainable.
“Our previous business model was simply not sustainable anymore. The economy has shifted, the marketplace has shifted, and while our core values remain the same, we’ve had to align with business reality to survive.
For any long-term change to actually take hold, every party – companies, the public sector, and consumers – must see a win-win-win scenario. It has to make sense financially.”
When the point was raised that a sustainability event having an “unsustainable” business model seemed ironic, Samuel noted that true sustainability must start at home.
“Exactly. And that’s the point. If a sustainability initiative isn’t sustainable itself, it’s not really a solution. No organism can survive by giving out more energy than it takes in.
This pivot is about ensuring that everyone in our ecosystem – our Partners, our attendees, and our team – can actually prosper.”
What Sets CORE Summit Apart?
The focus then shifted to the practical differences attendees can expect from the CORE Summit. Marek outlined two critical elements around a programme designed for direct utility and regional impact.
“First, we’re moving to an attendee-centric design. We’ve looked at the ‘core product’ and stripped away anything that doesn’t provide direct value or high-level networking.
Second, we’re focusing on practical outcomes. Yes, we’ll have the executive overviews, but a lot of the programme will feel more educational. You’ll learn skills you can take back to your office and implement on Monday morning.”
When asked to prioritise the most critical topics, Marek emphasised that the region’s challenges require a holistic approach across several “content pillars.”
“We have five content pillars, all of which are necessary to break the ‘glass ceiling’ that the Baltic economy is hitting right now. Our region is small, which is great for agility, but we have a limited talent pool. We want to show leaders where to focus their resources to get the biggest economic impact.“
Samuel added, “We’re bringing in advisory board members from all three Baltic countries. We want to make sure we’re addressing the actual pain points these leaders are feeling every day.“
Defining the New Audience and Values
The discussion clarified who the Summit is for and whether the original “Impact” mission has been lost in the transition.
Samuel remarked, “We have three main groups. First, the private sector: CEOs, CFOs, and Board Members. Second, the public sector: the decision-makers and policymakers who set the stage. And third, what I’d call forward-thinking leaders – anyone who cares about governance and making things work better.”
On the question of whether “Impact” is gone, he was emphatically clear:
“Not at all. ‘Return on Integrity’ remains a major theme for us. We believe that well-governed, high-integrity companies actually perform better in the long run.”
“We’re keeping the ‘Impact Day vibe’ – that sense of openness and positivity – but we’re applying it to a more serious business context,” remarked Marek.
Samuel concluded, “Courage, hope, and boldness. That’s our DNA. In a world full of negative news, we want to be the place where people find the drive to build something better.”
A Vision for the Future
The interview concluded with a look at the long-term legacy the founders hope to build.
Marek focused on creating a vital regional institution, while Sam set an ambitious economic target.
“I want it to be the ‘must-attend’ yearly gathering. The place where organisations come to stress-test their strategies and find where they can grow,” said Marek.
Samuel explained, “My vision is even simpler: I want to look back and see that we helped the Baltic region double its GDP per capita. I often use the analogy of Belgian draft horses. One horse can pull 4,000 pounds. But two horses pulling together in ‘friendly competition’ don’t just pull 8,000 – they can pull 32,000. That’s collaborative growth.“
When asked for a final call to action for the region’s leaders, the founders invited collective participation in this new chapter.
Samuel’s call is, “…to the founders and CEOs with a ‘patriotic heart’ –people who want to solve the big, messy problems – because they care about where we live.”
Marek’s condensed call is, “Come and discover our collective potential.”
For more information on this year’s programme, how to purchase tickets, and further background on our new CORE Summit team and mission, explore the new website.
