US Expand 2026 Conference

US Expand brings together companies, industry experts, and decision-makers who aim to succeed on the US market.

We focus on businesses from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) that bring ambition, resources, and valuable international experience. Prior operations in the US or plans to expand are not requirements to attend. US Expand is your source of information, connections and inspiration.

US Expand 2026 Program

📅 When: Tuesday 20 October 2026, 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 Where: WorkLounge Panská 2, Prague 1

You can’t copy paste America – What actually changes when you cross the Atlantic

Speakers

Zdeněk Bínek — CEO, ZEBR.AI
Ernest Cory — Sales Manager, eWay System
Sergio Domingues — Managing Director, State of South Carolina Europe Office
David Ginn — President & CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Program

4:30 – 4:45 PM	Welcome drink
4:45 – 5:00 PM	Official opening
5:00 – 5:45 PM	Panel discussion
5:45 – 6:00 PM	Q&A
6:00 – 7:30 PM	Networking and refreshments

Meet the Speakers

Zdeněk Bínek

Zdeněk Bínek has been running ZEBR.AI, 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 where he is already working with American partners including GFI Software. Outside of work, his passion is South African wines.

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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.

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Sergio Domingues

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.

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David Ginn

David Ginn was there at the beginning of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) and knows the region’s top business, academic and political leaders who shape and drive its economic growth. For more than 30 years, David has helped fulfill the organization’s mission to attract the world’s best companies, talent and entrepreneurs to the Charleston metro region of South Carolina. Outside the office, he’s a passionate skier and traveler, and a proud father: his daughter got married just two weeks ago!

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US Expand Partners

What you’ll gain

Imagine a community of companies, experts, and leaders ready to take on the U.S. market, a place where you not only get answers to your questions but also gain the motivation to take the next step on your expansion journey. That’s why I created and host US Expand every year.

Josef Scharfen, Founder & CEO

Said about US Expand

US Expand is an amazing opportunity to meet Czech companies that are already selling their products and services in the United States. It was great to meet representatives of many excellent companies and exchange experiences with them. Thank you for this opportunity!

Jan Lalinský, CEO, eWay System

Insights from US Expand Speakers

“When you operate in a small environment with almost no large enterprise companies, you’re forced to think about expansion from day one. It makes you more competitive globally.

I would always rather invest in a startup that is small in its local market but is thinking internationally from day one, than in a startup that is big locally but only later starts figuring out how to expand.”

Vojta Roček, Partner, Presto Ventures

“I have to say that our E2 visa interview went very smoothly and, honestly, was surprisingly easy. They asked questions based on the documents we had already provided. At the end, the officers told us we were approved.”

Josef Šachta, CEO, Sharry

“I have to say that America has a very positive approach and drive towards new technologies and innovations.”

Jan Sohar, CEO, Radalytica