ACAP to mark 10th anniversary with conference celebrating Croatian excellence in Seattle

Under the motto "Croatian Excellence: Celebrating the Decade, Engineering the Century," the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) will bring together experts from Croatia and American professionals of Croatian descent for its 10th annual conference in Seattle from October 1 to 4, 2026.

The anniversary gathering will unite entrepreneurs, scientists, business leaders, academics, innovators, and representatives of the Croatian community from Croatia and the United States to discuss opportunities for greater cooperation and the future of the global Croatian professional network.

Opening a Dialogue on the Future

The 2026 conference marks a decade of ACAP's flagship annual gathering and will focus on the future of Croatian-American cooperation and ways to build an increasingly connected global network of Croatian professionals.

Founded in 2014 by a small group of American professionals of Croatian descent, ACAP has since grown into an international network with more than 5,000 members and subscribers and over ten chapters across the United States and Croatia.

The organization connects professionals in business, finance, technology, science, medicine, law, education, media, culture, and other fields, promoting networking, mentorship, education, and collaboration between Croatia and the United States.

Through the ACAP Foundation, the organization also supports scholarships, internships, professional development programs, and other opportunities for a new generation of Croatian and American professionals of Croatian descent.

Ten Years of Connecting

This year's program will cover artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, science and medicine, entrepreneurship, capital markets, education, Croatian identity and language, media and communications, public service, citizenship, and business opportunities linking Croatia and the United States.

Keynote speakers include Mark Russinovich, Chief Technology Officer, Deputy CISO, and Technical Fellow for Microsoft Azure; Dr. Frederick R. Appelbaum of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, an internationally renowned cancer researcher; Croatia-born technology expert and scientist Hrvoje Benko; and author, international speaker, and content creator Kristina Kuzmic.

Media Panel to Explore Croatia's Global Voice

Artificial intelligence and technological change will feature prominently throughout the program, alongside discussions on entrepreneurship, investment, and opportunities for Croatian companies and professionals in global markets.

Participants will also explore how Croatian identity and connections evolve across generations and borders. Sessions will address the global networking of Croatians, the international careers of Croatian scientists, and efforts to preserve the Croatian language, culture, and identity.

For the first time in the history of the ACAP conference, the program will include a panel dedicated to media.

"Croatian Voices, Global Reach: Media in the Digital Age" comes at a time of growing media interest in the Croatian diaspora, as well as a rise in the number of diaspora members creating their own content and sharing Croatian stories with audiences around the world.

Voice of Croatia to Participate

The panel will bring together representatives of traditional media, digital creators, podcasters, and other storytellers.

They will discuss how journalism, social media, podcasts, influencers, and emerging technologies are transforming the way Croatia and its diaspora communicate and are perceived, as well as how content created within the diaspora can carry Croatian stories far beyond the country's borders.

Vladimir Brnardić, Acting Editor of the Independent Department for Programming for Croats Abroad, will speak about programming dedicated to Croatians living outside the Republic of Croatia.

On Saturday evening, ACAP will mark its 10th anniversary with a gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrating the association's decade of work and honoring distinguished members of the Croatian-American community.

Anniversary Weekend Continues at CroatiaFest

The conference will be followed on Sunday, October 4, by CroatiaFest at the Seattle Center Armory.

CroatiaFest is an annual celebration and a major gathering dedicated to Croatian heritage and culture in the Pacific Northwest. The festival promotes Croatian traditions and highlights the contributions of Croatian-Americans to the United States, both for younger generations and the wider American public.

This year's CroatiaFest will take place from noon to 6 p.m., featuring Croatian music and dance, cultural and historical exhibitions, traditional cuisine, Croatian exhibitors, and activities focused on language, heritage, and family.

Representatives of the Republic of Croatia will also participate, offering activities designed to connect visitors with contemporary Croatia.

For ACAP participants, the festival will provide a fitting conclusion to the anniversary weekend. After several days focused on professional, academic, and business connections, the emphasis will shift to the culture, heritage, and sense of community that unite Croatians across generations.

Connecting Croatia and the United States

Over its first decade, ACAP has grown into much more than an organizer of an annual conference. Through its chapters, professional network, foundation, and year-round programs, it facilitates knowledge exchange, business development, and youth mentorship while strengthening professional, economic, and cultural ties between Croatia and the United States.

The 10th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on ACAP's achievements to date and explore what a connected global community of Croatian professionals can accomplish in the years ahead.

The Seattle gathering will bring together scientists, physicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, executives, academics, journalists, content creators, and students from different generations and professional backgrounds around a shared goal: connecting Croatian talent, knowledge, and identity across borders.