The 20th edition of QED Conference brought more than 250 participants to Zadar for three days of discussions on AI, leadership, digital sovereignty, infrastructure, quantum computing and the future of organizations.
As part of QED, the Mighty Mainframe conference brought the mainframe community into that wider conversation with the theme 15 (+1) Ways to Reinvent Mainframe Modernization. The program explored how modernization is no longer just about replacing old systems, but about rethinking the role of mainframe in today’s enterprise landscape. From architecture, automation and integration to skills, AI and new ways of working, the sessions showed how mainframe can stay at the heart of business-critical systems while becoming more open, connected and ready for what comes next.
Mighty Mainframe Conference
Alongside QED, CROZ hosted Mighty Mainframe Conference, a dedicated gathering for the mainframe community, experts, clients, partners and new talent. The conference focused on the role of mainframe in modern enterprise environments, from modernization and integration to skills development and the future of critical systems.
Mighty Mainframe also showed that mainframe is no longer a closed or isolated world. It is increasingly connected with cloud platforms, automation, DevOps practices and broader enterprise transformation initiatives. With participants from different countries and 15 students from Croatia and Belgium joining the program, the conference created space for both experienced mainframers and the next generation to exchange knowledge, ask questions and keep this important technology moving forward.
Mighty Mainframe: No Longer an Island
In parallel with QED, CROZ hosted Mighty Mainframe, a conference dedicated to the mainframe community.
The focus was modernization of systems that still run critical parts of society, from finance and healthcare to public administration. CROZ also supported 15 students from Croatia and Belgium with free participation, helping bring new talent into the mainframe world.
The message was simple: mainframe is no longer an island. It is becoming part of the wider enterprise technology ecosystem.
Closing: Time to Take Initiative
Vedrana Miholić closed the conference with a striking thought: three human years can feel like 300 AI years.
She also announced that the next QED will focus on initiative. In other words, not waiting to see what happens next, but taking responsibility, making decisions and actively shaping what comes next.
After 20 years, QED remains what it has always tried to be: a place where technology is discussed through people, not around them.