US Expand 2026: Meet the Speakers

Hydra Consulting

Aug 28, 2026

8 mins read

Our annual networking event – US Expand 2026 – will once again bring together client stories, actionable insights, and proven strategies to help you succeed with your US expansion.

We will focus on sales strategies and nuances that actually close deals, local support networks, and what it really takes for a Czech value-added distributor of cybersecurity solutions to succeed in the US.

You’ll learn:

• Why South Carolina might be a smart place to land

• Whether it’s easier to operate as a family business or to expand into the US

• Why it’s important to understand baseball and other local references in order to close sales

US Expand 2026 program

📅 When: October 20, 2026, from 4:30 PM
📍 Where: WorkLounge Panská 2, Prague

Program US Expand 2025:

4:30 PM Welcome drink
4:45 – 5:00 PM Official opening
5:00 – 5:45 PM Panel discussion

• Sergio Domingues, Managing Director, State of South Carolina Europe Office

• Zdeněk Bínek, CEO, Zebra Systems

• Ernest Cory, Sales Manager, eWay System

5:45 – 6:00 PM Q&A
6:00 – 7:30 PM Networking and Refreshments

The event will be held in English.

Meet the Speakers

Sergio Domingues, Managing Director, State of South Carolina Europe Office

Sergio Domingues is a true Europe-to-US business connector. He is part strategist, part bridge builder, and part “let’s make this happen” kind of guy. He leads the European Office of the South Carolina Department of Commerce in Munich, so he knows the transatlantic business world from every angle. Sergio is driven by connecting businesses, cultures, ideas, and communities across borders.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is dedicated to supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, because thriving companies build thriving communities. From site selection assistance to community development and infrastructure improvement grant offerings, to export and trade support, S.C. Commerce fosters success for both new and existing businesses, alike.

I think we’re at the beginning of something here in CEE, not the middle of it. Right now, huge amounts of capital are flowing into CEE at a much faster pace than they’re flowing out. A region stops being known for cheap production and starts building its own capacity.

Zdeněk Bínek, CEO, Zebra Systems

Zdeněk Bínek has been running ZEBRA SYSTEMS, a leading Central European distributor of cybersecurity solutions, since founding it in 1993. Today it’s a true family business: his wife Jana and both sons Štěpán and Vojtěch are all part of the team. Couple years ago, Zdeněk made another bold move, expanding to the US and ZEBRA SYSTEMS LLC is already working with American partners including GFI Software. Outside of work, his passion is South African wines.

Security is not about believing you can prevent every attack. You can’t. The real question is: when something happens, how quickly can you detect it, contain it and recover?

Ernest Cory, North American Sales Manager, eWay System

Hydra Consulting US Expand 2026 Ernest Cory

Ernest Cory holds a special place in the US Expand story, six years ago, he is the very first American employee hired by eWay-CRM. Finding Ernest wasn’t a coincidence: it was Hydra Consulting who helped make the match.

Since joining, Ernest has been the driving force behind eWay-CRM’s US sales. Based in New York and Kansas City, he knows firsthand what it takes to sell a European product to American customers. Ernest is flying to Prague to share not just what it’s like to work for a European company, but also to give you his practical takes on how to kick-start your sales in the US.

Having someone with an easy-to-pronounce name, who also got their baseball references, simply made people feel more at ease.

Register for US Expand 2026 HERE.

US Expand 2026 partners:

Check out the atmosphere from US Expand 2025.

Client's Insights

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Hydra Consulting offers a full-service representation to European businesses coming to America. We handle company setup, taxes, visas and business development.