Entrepreneurship and the Power of Connection Highlighted at JCI Turkey Autumn Summit
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Turkey’s annual Autumn Summit, focused on young leadership and entrepreneurship, was successfully held on October 10–12, 2025, at Mirage Park Resort in Goynuk, Antalya. Hosted by JCI Antalya and JCI Eurasia chapters, the event brought together hundreds of young professionals, entrepreneurs, and prominent business leaders from Turkey and Europe to celebrate JCI’s 110th anniversary.
President Bariskan Opens with a Call for Entrepreneurial Vision
The summit began with an opening speech by JCI Turkey 2025 National President Gokhan Bariskan. Emphasizing the vital importance of youth energy and innovative thinking for the nation’s future, Bariskan stated that entrepreneurship is not only the key to economic growth but also to social transformation. He urged young leaders to focus not only on current challenges but also on future possibilities.
Entrepreneurship and Career Journeys in Focus
The summit featured panels designed to guide young professionals at various stages of their careers. One popular session, “Corporate Life or Entrepreneurship: Catching the Right Moment,” drew strong interest from participants. Speakers included JCI Kultur 2025 President, Attorney Seyda Ozdemir; Ezgi Kalender, Founder of Kalender Architecture; and Yusuf Kosman, Founder of Kosman Foreign Trade. They shared insights on transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, leveraging their professional experience, and embracing risk as a pathway to growth.
Hatice Oz, Chairwoman of LOKMAN Group, gave a special talk titled “Leaving a Legacy of Leadership,” emphasizing that leadership is a value and vision passed to the next generation. She shared examples of how her smart systems and Industry 4.0 projects have contributed to leadership sustainability.
Future Technologies and Marketing Strategies
Innovation and technology were among the key themes of the summit.
Emre Ertan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Cenoa, led the session “Entrepreneurship 2.0 in the Light of Artificial Intelligence,” sharing insights from his Silicon Valley experience. Drawing on his background at Getir and current work at Cenoa, he presented a visionary outlook on how AI is reshaping business, financial technology, and international growth strategies.
Ozel Oytun Turkoglu, Deputy General Manager of SAN TSG, offered an in-depth analysis of branding and personal development. As the founder of Turkey’s first branding agency and with over 150,000 personal development experiences shared, Türkoğlu revealed the key principles of branding and success in the entrepreneurial journey.
Dynamic Program and Gala Night
The three-day summit combined education, networking, and entertainment.
On Friday, October 10, the Networking Event and Welcome Party emphasized social engagement, while Saturday, October 11, featured the Debate Final Match, Team Games, and a spectacular Gala Night, where participants both celebrated and connected deeply.
The program concluded on Sunday, October 12, with the Presidents’ Meeting and Official Trainings.
The JCI Turkey Autumn Summit 2025 successfully provided a unique platform for young leaders to prepare for future challenges and be inspired with a forward-looking vision.