Fireside chat with Laurent Hublet - Brussels Minister for Economy, Employment & Digital Economy
- Date
- 2026-03-30
- Location
- Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Host
- BeClimate Hub
About this event
Policy shapes the conditions in which companies hire, communities grow, and digital ideas turn into real businesses. This fireside chat with Laurent Hublet, Brussels Minister for Economy, Employment & Digital Economy, is a chance to hear directly from a public leader working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, jobs, and digital transformation in Brussels. If you care about how cities support innovation and opportunity, this is a timely conversation to be in the room for. About the Event This is an in-person fireside chat in Bruxelles, Belgium designed for people who want a closer look at the economic and digital priorities shaping Brussels. Rather than a formal conference or a long series of presentations, the format centers on a focused, conversational exchange that makes room for nuance, practical insight, and real questions. The event brings together themes from community, networking, meetup, and social gatherings, which means the value is not only in hearing from the minister, but also in meeting others who are actively engaged in the local ecosystem. Whether you come from startups, public policy, the tech world, workforce development, or the wider business community, the setting is built to encourage informed discussion. A fireside chat format matters because it creates space for context. Topics like economic policy, employment, and digital strategy are rarely simple, and they benefit from a discussion that can connect the bigger picture with the realities people face on the ground. Expect a conversation that feels accessible while still engaging with serious questions about the future of Brussels. What to Expect At the center of the evening is a live conversation with Laurent Hublet on the issues that matter most to Brussels today: economy, employment, and digital economy. The discussion is likely to be especially relevant for anyone following how local government can support founders, employers, workers, and digital innovation in a fast-changing environment. You can expect the event to balance substance and accessibility. Even if you do not work directly in government or policy, the subject matter connects to everyday decisions made by businesses, startups, community leaders, and professionals building careers in the region. The conversational format should make it easier to follow not just what priorities exist, but why they matter. The evening will also likely include moments that are especially valuable in person, such as: Opportunities to hear direct perspectives rather than secondhand summaries A clearer sense of how public leadership is thinking about Brussels' economic and digital direction Informal networking with attendees across business, tech, community, and civic circles Space for connections that can continue after the event ends Because this is positioned as both a meetup and networking event, the room itself is part of the experience. Expect to meet people who are not just observing the conversation, but actively involved in the future of Brussels through companies, projects, institutions, and community work. Why Attend If you are building, hiring, investing, advising, or organizing in Brussels, this conversation offers a useful lens into the environment around you. Decisions made in the areas of economy, employment, and digital policy directly affect how organizations grow, how talent moves, and how innovation is supported. Hearing from the minister responsible for these areas can help you better understand the broader landscape in which you operate. This is also a strong event for people who want to move beyond headlines. Public policy often gets discussed in abstract terms, but events like this make it possible to hear priorities discussed in a more grounded and immediate way. That can help you sharpen your own thinking, ask better questions, and connect your work to larger structural changes happening in Brussels. You may leave with value in several forms: Better context on current economic and digital themes in Brussels Insight into how employment and innovation may be approached at the city level New connections with peers who care about similar questions A stronger understanding of how public leadership and local ecosystems interact For community-minded attendees, there is another reason to come: this kind of event helps strengthen the conversation between institutions and the people building things on the ground. Being present means being part of that exchange, not just reading about it later. Practical Details The event takes place in person in Bruxelles, Belgium on Monday, March 30 at 5:30 PM GMT+2. An early evening start makes this well suited for professionals who want to attend after the workday and continue discussions in a more social setting. Because the event is in person, it is worth planning to arrive a little early so you can settle in, meet other attendees, and make the most of the networking side of the evening. Fireside chats often move quickly once they begin, and being in the room from the start helps you catch the framing of the discussion. A few simple reasons to plan ahead: You will get more from the event if you come ready with a few thoughtful questions or themes you want to listen for In-person events create the most value when you leave time for conversation before and after the main session The mix of policy, business, and digital topics makes this a good event to attend with curiosity and a willingness to engage across sectors If Brussels' economic future, employment landscape, and digital direction matter to your work or interests, this is a smart room to be in.
Who should attend
This is for people who want a more direct, informed view of where Brussels is heading and how public policy connects to real work on the ground. - You work in **startups, tech, or digital business** and want to better understand the policy environment shaping growth, talent, and innovation in Brussels. - You are a **founder, operator, or business leader** looking for sharper insight into the economic and employment context around your company or team. - You are involved in **public affairs, economic development, civic innovation, or community building** and want to hear how these themes are being approached at the city level. - You care about **jobs, skills, and the future of work** and want to hear a conversation that connects employment policy with practical realities. - You value **strong rooms and useful networking** and want to meet other people engaged in Brussels' business, policy, and digital ecosystem. - You are simply curious, well-informed, and interested in how cities can create the conditions for opportunity, entrepreneurship, and digital progress. If you want more than surface-level commentary and would benefit from hearing directly from a key public leader while meeting others who care about the same questions, you will likely find this event worth your time.