Pre-Conference Symposium
Thursday, October 1 | 12:30–4:30 PM
Optimizing Your Performance
Strategies to Thrive in a High-Demand Professional Life
Location: Pike Place at The Westin Seattle
Presented by ACAP’s Health & Lifestyle Committee
Join us for an interactive afternoon dedicated to helping you perform at your best
Pre-Conference Symposium
Thursday, October 1 | 4:30–6:00 PM
Academic Symposium:
Connecting Academic Work to the Croatian Diaspora
Location: Pike Place at The Westin Seattle
Moderator: Renata Endres, PhD
About the Symposium
Peak performance depends on more than effort in a competitive professional world. It requires the right balance of knowledge and sustainable habits.
This interactive symposium brings together experts in medicine, technology, and performance science to share evidence-based strategies that enhance performance while protecting long-term health.
Through expert insights and real-world applications, participants will learn:
- Impact of sleep on performance and overall health
- Strategies to optimize brain health
- Applications of wearable technology
- Maximizing performance in high stress situations
- Strategies to manage jet lag, fatigue, and stress
- How to decipher food labels and the new food pyramid
With interactive elements, live discussions, and actionable takeaways, this session is designed to help you perform at your best.
Our program
Program details are subject to change.
Welcome & Introduction
12:30pm – 12:40pm Steven Pavletic, MD, PhD
BRAIN HEALTH
Moderator: Jeana Havidich, MD, MS
12:40pm – 12:45pm Introducing the panels
12:45pm – 1:00pm Impact of Sleep on Performance, Alen Juginovic, MD
1:00pm – 1:30pm Brain Health: Science-Backed Actions that Matter Today, Ivo Bach, MD & Martina Glavan, PhD
Questions & Discussion for 10 minutes
1:40pm – 1:55 pm Break
PERFORMANCE UNDER PRESSURE
Moderator: Norah Lenardic, VP
1:55pm – 2:00pm Introducing the panels
2:00pm – 2:15pm Self Optimization in High Intensity Work & Life, Marko Rojnica, MD
2:15pm – 2:30pm Controlling Cortisol: From the Cockpit to the C-suite, Leah Alexander, MBA
Questions & Discussion for 10 minutes
TOTAL LIFE BALANCE
Moderator: Kate Suryan, PD
2:55pm – 3:00pm Introducing the panels
3:00pm – 3:15pm Unlocking Food and Nutrition, Katarina Smiljanec, PhD
3:15pm – 3:30pm Balance and Strength Training, Paul Biondich, BSc.Kin., DC
3:30pm – 3:45pm Mindfulness, Arts & Creativity as Pillars of Wellbeing, Tatiana “Tajci” Cameron, NBC-HWC
Questions & Discussion for 10 minutes
3:55pm – 4:00pm Wrap up & Adjourn
4:00pm – 4:30pm Meet & Greet
Connecting Academic Work to the Croatian Diaspora
Moderator: Renata Endres, PhD
4:30pm – 5:00pm Presentation About Henry Suzzallo, Antoinette Wills, PhD
5:00pm – 5:15pm Tvtko Tadic, PhD
5:15pm – 5:30pm Stipica Muradzija, PhD
5:30pm – 5:45pm Croatia-U.S. Experiential Learning and Internship Collaboration, Renata Endres, PhD
5:45pm – 6:00pm Graduate Student Perspectives and Q&A
SEPTEMBER
30
Pickleball Tournament kicks off our event with a friendly competition.
October
01
Pre-Conference Symposium presented by the ACAP Health and Lifestyle Committee.
Academic Symposium will bring insights connecting academic work to the Croatian diaspora.
Welcome Reception.
OCTOBER
02-03
The conference opens with remarks from ACAP leadership and distinguished dignitaries, followed by two days of keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions, plus exhibitor booths, cocktail hours and networking, and a Gala Dinner celebrating the conference’s tenth anniversary.
OCTOBER
04
Close out the conference at your own pace at CroatiaFest.
Beyond the Conference
Make the Most of Your Trip to Seattle
Beyond the main conference program, ACAP has organized pre- and post-conference activities so attendees can extend their stay and make the most of their time in Seattle.
ACAP proudly thanks the partners who have helped make this conference possible.