"Bi' Dünya İş" Conference

Organized traditionally for seven consecutive years by the Banking and Insurance and Foreign Trade Programs of the Vocational School at İzmir University of Economics, the Bi’ Dünya İş Conference is a prestigious event that brings our students together with leading professionals from the industry. This comprehensive annual conference provides a platform for knowledge sharing, inspiration, and collaboration by hosting sector professionals, academics, alumni, and high school students. Participants have the opportunity to follow current developments in their fields, listen to real-world experiences, and establish valuable connections that can shape their careers. More than just an event, Bi’ Dünya İş Conference serves as a dynamic platform that strengthens university-industry cooperation, expands students’ professional vision, and unites different generations under one roof. Here are the highlights from past editions of the conference:

Bi' Dünya İş 2024 Conference

Held at the İzmir University of Economics Conference Hall, the 2024 Bi’ Dünya İş Conference featured three themed sessions centered around sustainability. The event opened with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Coşkun Küçüközmen. The first session began with Pelin Ataman Erdönmez, Director at The Banks Association of Turkey, who delivered a talk titled "Sustainability in the Turkish Banking Sector." In the second session, Serdar Gülbek, Export Operations Manager at Vestel, presented "Foreign Trade and Sustainability." The third and final session was led by Gökhan Güngör, Managing Partner at SmartHR, with an interactive presentation titled "Career Planning, Effective Resume Writing, and Interview Techniques".

Bi' Dünya İş 2023 Conference

Bi’ Dünya İş Conference, held online, stood out with its impressive speakers who brought together international and strategic perspectives. Gamze Karadağ, Financial Control Advisor at TNT Express Amsterdam Branch, shared her insights on global financial operations management and the role of finance in digital transformation. Dr. Soner Canko, Management Consultant and Strategist, focused on strategic thinking, leadership, and innovation in a digitalized world. The virtual sessions offered an engaging experience that highlighted the conference's cross-border impact, attracting participants from different cities and countries.

Bi' Dünya İş 2022 Conference

Hosted on campus, the 2022 edition of the Bi’ Dünya İş Conference brought together experts from finance, insurance, technology, and digital payments in a vibrant exchange of ideas. Speakers included: Bahri Ertuğrul Yücenur, Deputy General Manager of Sales & Distribution Channels at Allianz, who discussed transformation in the insurance sector. Burçin Türkmen, Marketing Director at PayTR, who shared innovative digital payment strategies. Mutlu Uğursal, CEO of Agito, emphasized the role of financial software in sustainability. Hakan Güngör, Managing Partner at Metisbot, highlighted the revolutionary impact of AI and chatbots in customer service. Buket Erşan, Director of Projects, CRM, Marketing, and Customer Services at Fiba Emeklilik ve Hayat A.Ş., provided a comprehensive outlook on customer experience and digitalization in the pension sector. The conference once again proved to be a strong bridge between academia and business, offering students sectoral foresight and inspiration.

Bi' Dünya İş 2021 Conference

The 2021 edition of Bi’ Dünya İş Conference took place online, focusing on the intersection of traditional production and digital commerce. Guests included: Murat Güllü, General Manager of Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklava, who explained how a heritage brand adapted to the digital age while preserving traditional quality. Özkan Çokaygil, Sales and Business Development Manager at Trendyol Marketplace, who shared e-commerce trends, marketplace dynamics, and entrepreneurial strategies. Despite being online, the conference offered an engaging and inspiring digital experience that reflected the transformative power of digital communication.

Bi' Dünya İş 2020 Conference

The 2020 conference, also held online, adapted to the challenges of the pandemic while maintaining high levels of content and interaction. Speakers included: Burak Açkurt, Retail Banking Director at Allianz Turkey, who discussed digitalization in banking and evolving customer expectations. Deniz Selen Kılıçözgürler, Regional Manager at CarrefourSA, who shared examples of operational strategies and customer experience in retail, especially during the pandemic. This edition demonstrated how digital platforms can effectively support impactful knowledge exchange between students and industry experts.

Bi' Dünya İş 2019 Conference

Held with high participation, the 2019 Bi’ Dünya İş Conference brought together pioneering figures from entrepreneurship, logistics, retail, branding, and more. Distinguished speakers included: Kemal Şahin, Chairman of Şahinler Holding, who shared his global entrepreneurial journey. Levent Yılmaz, Co-founder and Chairman of Baydöner, discussed local brand growth and customer loyalty. Osman Ünal, Management Consultant at Ekol Logistics, and Murat Erdör, Founder of Me Consultancy, focused on logistics efficiency and digital consultancy. Deniz Selen Kılıçözgürler, Regional Manager at CarrefourSA, and Muhterem İlgüner, Director of Brand Finance Turkey, addressed brand value and field transformation. Çelik Ören, Chair of Junior Achievement Turkey, presented educational models supporting youth entrepreneurship. İpek Dorak, Co-Managing Director at Mindshare, and Gökhan Peksarı, Co-founder and Chairman of DoGo, discussed data-driven media planning and export-focused creative design. This edition offered students a unique opportunity to broaden their career horizons and connect with business leaders.

Bi' Dünya İş 2018 Conference

The inaugural event of the conference series took place in 2018 under the title “Finance on Campus, Growth on Campus”, focusing on real estate and finance. It laid the foundation for what would become the traditional Bi’ Dünya İş Conference. Key speakers included: Makbule Yönel Maya, General Manager at Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB) Real Estate Appraisal, on valuation and sustainability. İlhan Küçükahmetler, Deputy General Manager of Agricultural Banking at Anadolubank, on financing in the agricultural sector. Gökhan Taş, Country President of Coldwell Banker Turkey, on digital transformation in real estate. Çağrı Bozay, Trade Coordinator at Hürriyet Emlak and Board Member of Hürriyet Projeland, on data-driven real estate marketing. Şaban Çağıran, Group Manager at DenizBank Real Estate Division, on banking-side appraisal operations. Neşecan Çekici, Chair of Epos Real Estate, with a visionary take on industry growth areas. Ersun Bayraktaroğlu, Country Leader for Real Estate at PwC Turkey, on strategic financial insights in property investment. With its rich content and expert contributions, the 2018 conference marked the beginning of an impactful tradition that continues to connect students with the professional world.