Tomas Okmanas Joins B8 Summit Lineup as Zalgiris and Business Worlds Collide

A Unique Meeting of Minds Awaits in Vilnius This July

In a summer where much of Europe will be glued to Olympic qualifiers and basketball’s transfer window drama, Lithuania is quietly preparing to host something just as intriguing—but entirely different. The B8 Summit, a two-day gathering of basketball thinkers, doers, and dreamers, will return to Vilnius this July with a lineup that blends coaching legends, league executives, and business innovators. And among the most anticipated names this year is Tomas Okmanas—co-founder of Tesonet and co-owner of iconic EuroLeague club Zalgiris Kaunas.

Set to take the stage on July 8, Okmanas will take part in a roundtable discussion that promises to go far beyond basketball tactics or balance sheets. Alongside EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas, Lithuanian national team captain Jonas Valanciunas, and one more mystery guest still to be revealed, Okmanas will explore the evolving relationship between sports and business—and what the future may hold for Zalgiris and clubs like it across Europe.

The roundtable will be led by none other than B8 Summit founder and Boston Celtics scout Benas Matkevicius, whose deep connections across the basketball world have helped shape this conference into one of the sport’s most exciting new gatherings.

The Vision Behind the Zalgiris Project

The Vision Behind the Zalgiris Project

For those who’ve followed Lithuanian basketball in recent years, Okmanas is a name that’s become increasingly influential behind the scenes. A tech entrepreneur by trade, he entered the world of sport not as a hobbyist or investor looking for a new toy—but as someone genuinely interested in what happens when the minds behind world-class tech companies begin applying their skills to sports organisations.

His involvement with Zalgiris has already brought a more modern, data-driven approach to the club’s operations, and at the B8 Summit, he’s expected to share insights on how those methods are being used to shape the future of one of Europe’s most historic basketball teams.

It’s a rare chance to hear from someone straddling two very different worlds—and looking to fuse them in ways that might redefine what success means for a sports club.

A Stage for Dialogue, Not Monologue

While many conferences tend to focus on keynotes and one-way presentations, the B8 Summit is leaning hard into conversation and community. That’s why on July 9, Paulius Motiejunas will return for a completely open session where anyone with a ticket can ask questions directly.

In a world where fans and professionals alike often feel cut off from decision-makers, this kind of access is more than refreshing—it’s revolutionary. Whether you want to ask about EuroLeague’s commercial strategy, its playoff formats, or how clubs can better navigate the business side of European basketball, this session will be one of the most open forums on offer anywhere.

And if coaching is more your angle, then the additional paid sessions on July 8 might be worth circling in bold. Big names like Andrea Trinchieri, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, and Vincent Collet will headline these technical clinics, diving into systems, tactics, and the mindset behind elite-level basketball leadership.

More Than Just a Conference

One of the defining messages behind the B8 Summit is that it’s not just for coaches or insiders. It’s for anyone who’s passionate about basketball and wants to get closer to the thought processes that shape the game at its highest levels. Conditioning coaches, video analysts, club managers, scouts, young professionals looking for a way into the industry—all are welcome.

Held at the sleek and modern Cyber City complex in Vilnius’ Naujamiestis district, the event is designed as much for informal networking and spontaneous conversation as it is for scheduled talks. Expect hallway chats that turn into future collaborations, and coffee breaks that spark big ideas.

For Matkevicius, this is personal. “I feel I have to do this,” he says. “Since I won’t be with the national team this summer, I have more time—and the desire—to create something meaningful. I have the knowledge, connections, and energy to bring something valuable to Lithuania.”

That sense of purpose is baked into every detail of the Summit. There are no luxury price tags or VIP zones here. Matkevicius has insisted on keeping ticket prices affordable to allow as many people as possible to attend—whether they’re long-time professionals or young fans dreaming of a career in sport.

The Crossover Between Sport and Business

It’s easy to forget how much sport and business overlap until someone like Tomas Okmanas steps into the spotlight. His background with Tesonet—a company behind globally known tech products like Nord Security—has shaped how he views leadership, teamwork, and long-term planning.

And now, with Zalgiris, he’s applying those principles in real-time, hoping to elevate a historic club in a rapidly changing European basketball ecosystem. The B8 Summit offers a rare platform to hear how that transition is going—and what lessons might be transferable across industries.

It also opens up a broader question: how can clubs across Europe—and especially in basketball-rich but economically smaller countries like Lithuania—build sustainable models for growth? In an age where talent drain is a constant threat and commercial revenue often lags behind football, the answer may lie in bridging the gap between Silicon Valley thinking and old-school sports passion.

Why You Should Be There

Whether you’re coaching at a youth level, working behind the scenes in a club office, or just someone who wants to better understand the machinery behind your favourite team, the B8 Summit offers something unique.

It’s not just a place to listen—it’s a place to engage. To shake hands with the people making real decisions. To ask questions. To pitch ideas. To find mentors. To see where basketball is headed and maybe play a small role in helping it get there.

And with names like Okmanas, Valanciunas, and Motiejunas involved—not to mention a lineup of some of the most respected coaches in the game—it promises to be an event that balances inspiration with real, tangible value.