10 Croatian diaspora entrepreneurs win “MG2 Excellence” awards

10 Croatian diaspora business leaders win “MG2 Excellence” awards (Photo: Meeting G2 Conference)

ZAGREB, 16 November 2024 – During a gala dinner marking the conclusion of the 10th anniversary of the Meeting G2 Conference, the prestigious “MG2 Excellence” awards were presented in the Crystal Hall of the Westin Hotel on Friday.

The awards celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Croatia’s economic development.

This year, ten exclusive awards were presented to ten accomplished Croatians: five who have returned to Croatia and five from various countries around the world.

The awards acknowledge those who have achieved extraordinary success in their professional careers while fostering economic ties between Croatia and the diaspora.

Award Recipients

Branka Čubelić – A returnee from Australia, founder of Dreamtime Event Croatia, specialising in wedding planning.

Bernarda Cecelja – Returned from Switzerland, established a mattress and bed manufacturing business in Međimurje over 20 years ago.

Matt Darko Sertić – Returned from the USA, founded multiple successful companies in Sisak, including Croatia’s first private entrepreneurial incubator, PISAK.

Matt Sertić (Photo: Meeting G2 Conference)

Miljenko Mike Grgich (posthumously) – Renowned winemaker from California, USA, founder of the globally celebrated “Grgich Hills Cellar.” His niece, Maja Jeramaz, accepted the award.

Tomislav Kuljiš – Founder and CEO of Bolivia’s leading supermarket chain, Hipremaxi S.A.

Tomislav Kuljis (Photo: Meeting G2 Conference)

Tony Kerum – Founder of Hollywood’s top catering company, “Tony’s Food Service.” His daughter Jennifer accepted the award.

Jennifer Kerum with the award (Photo: Meeting G2 Conference)

Anthony Toni Maglica – Croatian-American innovator and inventor of the iconic Maglite flashlight. His daughter Jerka accepted the award.

Jerka Maglica (Photo: Meeting G2 Conference)

Luke Jurčević – Owner of multiple successful tech companies in Australia, primarily in the medical sector; President of the West Australian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce.

Niko Ilić – Croatian entrepreneur in Austria, owner of a construction company, and President of the Croatian Business Association in Austria.

Ciril Zovko – A returnee from Canada who contributed to the construction of hundreds of buildings in Canada and owns the Importanne shopping centres in Zagreb.

Special Awards

Additionally, two special awards were presented:

“MG2 Essence” – Awarded to Mara and Josip Hrgetić, returnees from Venezuela, for initiating the Meeting G2 conference in 2015 alongside other returnees and local Croatians in Zagreb.

“MG2 Loyalty” – Awarded to Nenad Nemet, a second-generation Croatian from North Macedonia and the most dedicated participant of all ten Meeting G2 conferences.

Each recipient was presented with a stone sail sculpture by Mate Croata. During the ceremony, Antun Krešimir Buterin, President of the Meeting G2 Association, remarked:

“To mark our 10th anniversary, we organised everything around the number ten—ten engaging panels over two days, culminating in these ten special awards.

These awards celebrate the successes of remarkable Croatian business leaders from the diaspora who either returned to Croatia to launch outstanding projects or built empires abroad. It is an honour to see them here, some in person and others represented by family, arriving from Australia, Bolivia, the USA, and Austria.

Despite operating in diverse industries and locations, they consistently promote Croatia, strengthen economic collaboration between the homeland and the diaspora, and make us all proud.

We can and must learn from these individuals—because with their expertise and mindset, Croatia can become even more successful, prosperous, and joyful.”