Prague to host GBCI Europe Circle 2025

The GBCI Europe Circle conference was established to provide the LEED community with a space for both professional and social exchange. The next edition will soon take place in Prague. 

We spoke with Kay Killmann, Managing Director of GBCI Europe, Vessela Valtcheva-McGee, Director of Market Development for CEE at GBCI Europe, and Simona Kalvoda, Executive Director of the Czech Green Building Council (CZGBC), about the event’s significance and program.

So many European cities, so many opportunities – what was behind the choice of Prague as the host city for GBCI Europe Circle 2025?

Killmann: Prague represents a dynamic intersection of tradition and transformation, making it the ideal host city for Circle 2025. As one of the fastest-growing markets in CEE, the Czech capital reflects the region’s accelerating momentum in real estate development, sustainability initiatives, and ESG-driven investment strategies. Central and Eastern Europe is emerging as a key growth area where innovative green building practices are gaining traction and where there’s a strong appetite for proven sustainability frameworks.

What is CZGBC’s role in this year’s conference? What are the benefits of this partnership?

Killmann: CZGBC plays a central role at this year’s GBCI Europe Circle as the official event partner. As an organization actively shaping the national sustainability agenda, CZGBC is a driving force in advancing green building practices and sustainable development in the Czech Republic. Their leadership and deep local expertise make them a strong international partner for GBCI. By bringing Circle 2025 to Prague, we are not only highlighting the growing relevance of Central and Eastern Europe in the sustainability space but also celebrating the strength of our collaboration with CZGBC. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the adoption of sustainability standards such as LEED and WELL – rating systems that are increasingly applied across the Czech Republic and the broader region. Additionally, many organizations here are leveraging tools like GRESB to enhance ESG reporting and drive portfolio performance. Together with CZGBC, we look forward to amplifying the impact of these efforts and fostering a thriving, resilient built environment throughout CEE.

Valtcheva-McGee: We highly value our relationship with organizations such as the network of green building councils. The CZGBC represents local leadership and a community that shares our mission to provide knowledge and tools for building a sustainable Europe.

Kalvoda: Our value lies in our regional insight and connections with local experts in sustainable construction. At the same time, we see this as a great opportunity to highlight local examples of best practices and the progress in our sector on an international platform. 

Three days of an intensive and diverse program – can you tell us more about the concept?

Killmann: GBCI Europe Circle 2025 offers a dynamic three-day program built around the pillars of Connect, Learn, and Explore. The event kicks off with three in-depth technical workshops on LEED v5 – marking the first in-person sessions globally on the newly released rating system. This is followed by a networking reception at the iconic Prague Crossroads, offering a unique setting to connect with industry leaders. The main conference day will take place at the Cubex Conference Centre, one of Prague’s most sustainable venues and a building certified at the highest level under LEED. Attendees will gain valuable insights from leading voices in green building and ESG, with a focus on sustainable finance and climate risk, decarbonization in the construction materials sector, sustainable hospitality in Central and Eastern Europe, and how market innovation can accelerate implementation of the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The third day invites participants to experience Prague’s leadership in sustainable development firsthand through curated tours of high-performance green buildings across the city.

Kalvoda: A tour of LEED-certified buildings will take place on the final day. The stories behind these buildings perfectly illustrate the principles of sustainable construction and play a significant role in shaping the architectural future of the city.

Which remarkable speakers will be sharing their experiences this year?

Killmann: We are honoured to welcome Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC and GBCI, to Circle 2025 in Prague, where he will deliver the opening address. Peter will introduce the newly released LEED v5 – the most ambitious version of the rating system to date. His address will highlight LEED v5’s bold vision and goals, focused on accelerating decarbonization, advancing ecological conservation and restoration, and enhancing quality of life through high-performance, people-centric buildings. His presence underscores the global significance of this milestone, and the leadership role Europe is playing in the next generation of sustainable development in real estate.

Valtcheva-McGee: There will be no shortage of fascinating speakers. For example, the closing lecture, From Linear to Circular Economy: Can the Economics of Change Work in a World of Confusion, will be delivered by Harald Friedl, a world-renowned expert on circular economy. We’ll welcome both local and international experts from government, finance, real estate, and hospitality sectors, as well as leading construction materials manufacturers.

Kalvoda: Many Czech experts, mostly CZGBC members, will also speak at the conference. We are proud that even amid such strong international competition, we are contributing high-quality content and strong examples of local best practices.

A tour of interesting buildings is planned for the third day. What can we look forward to?

Kalvoda: Some exciting projects have been selected for the tours – Masaryčka by Penta Investments, Port 7 by Skanska, while reconstructions, that are also important to us, will be represented by Dunaj Palace and the Julius Hotel.

The topic is “From Innovation to Impact”. Where do you see the biggest gap between innovation and new solutions on one side, and real impact on the decarbonization of the construction industry on the other?

Killmann: The theme focuses on bridging the gap between cutting-edge knowledge and innovation, and the need to accelerate decarbonization in construction. How to balance the drive for novelty with the responsibility to meet real-world challenges? How to scale innovation to create widespread impact? Through interactive panel discussions and expert presentations, we aim to explore and provoke these questions.

Kalvoda: Bridging that gap is not just a conference theme, it is embedded in the work and goals of the task groups operating within the CZGBC. To translate innovative approaches and advanced solutions into practices, we need to foster positive motivation and involve as many relevant stakeholders as possible. At the same time, some shifts will need to be supported by legislative changes, so we still have a long journey ahead.

GBCI Europe Circle

“Circle” symbolizes zero, the path toward a regenerative built environment, and a focused and unified group, simplicity, strength, and wholeness. The name perfectly embodies our goals.

The first gathering took place in Munich in 2022. The following year, the conference moved to Barcelona’s Hospital de Sant Pau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The third year was held at the SNF Lighthouse in Athens. This year Prague was chosen because of its architectural history, which is reflected in its modern construction.

Where the future is built

The GBCI Circle offers a unique opportunity to engage with sustainability experts. It creates space to share insights, experiences, and examples of best practices across communities throughout Europe.

Join us and let’s turn innovation into impact. This year’s conference takes place in Prague, from 14th to 16th May, 2025.

https://gbcieuropecircle.com/circle-2025/c25-tickets/

Kay Killmann is the Head of Europe at GBCI, a global sustainability certification organization for real estate. With over 20 years of international experience as an architect, consultant, and advisor across the US, UK, and Germany, he has co-founded the German Green Building Association (GGBA), helping to establish LEED in Germany and the DACH region. In 2017, Kay structured GBCI Europe as part of the global GBCI network, advocating for sustainable benchmarking and performance-based evaluation in real estate through digitalization and technology. 

Vessela Valtcheva-McGee has extensive experience with green building certification and sustainable development in both practice and education. With 20+ years of experience, Vessela has both practical hands-on experience with international certification tools LEED, BREEAM and EDGE, and deep theoretical knowledge of sustainability, professional education and policy development, and sustainability leadership. While consulting the real estate sector in green building certification and sustainable development, Vessela has also been actively involved in change leadership through the international NGO Green Building Council network and working closely with multilateral development banks.