SEATTLE, WA — May 2026 —
The Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) will convene its 10th Annual ACAP Conference at the Westin Seattle from October 2–4, 2026. Themed
Croatian Excellence: Celebrating the Decade, Engineering the Century
, the milestone event marks ten years of the organization’s flagship professional gathering and signals its ambitions for the decade ahead.
The conference will run in tandem with Seattle’s iconic CroatiaFest, creating a singular weekend where professional development, cultural celebration, and community connection converge in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. It marks the first time in ACAP’s history that its national conference will be held in the Pacific Northwest.
“This is more than a conference anniversary. It is a moment to reflect on what this community has built over ten years and to cast a bold vision for what comes next. Seattle is a city defined by innovation and ambition, and there is no more fitting place to ask ourselves what Croatian excellence looks like in the century ahead. We are honored to bring ACAP’s national gathering to the Pacific Northwest for the first time, and we look forward to welcoming our community here.” — Vedran Brozović, Conference Chair and President, ACAP Seattle Chapter
A Decade of Building the Croatian Professional Community
Founded in 2014 by a small group of visionary leaders in California, ACAP has grown into a global network of more than 5,000 members and subscribers across 10+ chapters in the United States and Croatia. Under the successive leadership of past presidents Marko Zoretić, Dr. Steven Pavletić, and Maria Sentić, and current president Nikola Meteš, the organization has become the premier professional home for Croatians, Croatian Americans, and friends of Croatia across industries and academic communities.
The ACAP Conference has served as the organization’s cornerstone event since its inception, drawing leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and innovators from across the United States and Croatia each year. Past speakers have included David Diehl, two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants; Silvio Kutić, CEO and Co-founder of Infobip; Violet Grgich, President of Grgich Hills Estate; Pete Radovich, Vice President of Production at CBS Sports; and former NBA player Damjan Rudež.
The 10th Annual Conference will continue and expand this tradition with programming designed to encourage meaningful conversations, cross-industry collaboration, and new professional connections, from opening symposia and keynote addresses to industry panels, breakout sessions, a formal gala dinner, and receptions throughout the weekend.
Seattle: Innovation Capital Meets Cultural Celebration
Known as the Emerald City, Seattle is one of the world’s leading centers of technology, entrepreneurship, and global commerce. Its thriving startup and enterprise ecosystem, stunning natural setting, and reputation for forward-thinking leadership make it a natural home for a conference exploring the future of professional excellence.
The conference will be held at
The Westin Seattle
, located in the heart of downtown, steps from Pike Place Market, the Seattle waterfront, and the city’s most vibrant dining and cultural venues. Group hotel rates are now available for conference attendees. Those planning to attend are encouraged to book early, as availability at the conference rate is limited.The timing of the conference alongside CroatiaFest, Seattle’s beloved annual celebration of Croatian culture, extends the experience beyond professional programming and into the broader life of the Croatian American community in the Pacific Northwest.
A Growing Chapter, A Defining Moment
The ACAP Seattle Chapter, founded in 2020, has emerged as one of the organization’s most active regional communities. Currently led by Vedran Brozović and a dedicated team of volunteers, the chapter has grown to more than 50 members and has hosted over 15 events, from professional panels to rooftop networking gatherings, and has participated in CroatiaFest for three consecutive years. Hosting the 10th Annual Conference represents a milestone not only for the chapter but for the entire Croatian professional community in the region.
Blind Bird Tickets Now Available
A limited number of Blind Bird tickets are currently available for community members who wish to secure their place early and support the 10th anniversary conference from the start. Blind Bird supporters commit before the full program and speaker lineups are announced, and in doing so, play a direct role in making the event possible.
A full ACAP Conference ticket typically includes:
Two full days of conference programmingTwo pre-conference symposium sessions
Keynote addresses and industry panels
Professional networking with leaders from the U.S. and Croatia
Breakout sessions across multiple industries
Lunch on conference days
A formal gala dinner celebration and awards ceremony
Conference receptions and social gatherings
Conference materials and goodie bag
Access to the broader ACAP professional community
Group hotel rates at The Westin Seattle are available exclusively for conference attendees. Early booking is strongly recommended.
Registration and Information
Secure tickets: https://members.croampro.com/networks/events/147994
Book your hotel stay: https://book.passkey.com/gt/221314392?gtid=e9ff9026ca4d53be1ec82b762ae018f5
Learn more about ACAP: https://www.croampro.com/about
Become a member: https://members.croampro.com/