Program
Innovative approaches and economic impetus to promote sustainable growth - for a strong, networked future for Europe.
Please note:
The Europa Lab will take place before the pre-event on 8 September 2026. You can find all further information about this event here.
Pre-event | Tuesday, September 8, 2026
6:15 PM
Check-in & Welcome
7:00 PM
Start of the program
8:00 PM
Get-together
Conference Day | Wednesday, September 9, 2026
8:30 AM
Check-in & Welcome Coffee
9:00 AM
Opening
9:10 AM
Welcome
Günther H. Oettinger, President, United Europe e.V.
Günther H. Oettinger, President, United Europe e.V.
9:25 AM
Political Keynote
Europe Between Security and Sovereignty
Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President, Free State of Bavaria
Europe Between Security and Sovereignty
Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President, Free State of Bavaria
Block 1: Security & Resilience
How does Europe assert its security – militarily, economically and digitally?
How does Europe assert its security – militarily, economically and digitally?
9:55 AM
Keynote
A strong NATO needs a strong Europe
Dr. Detlef Wächter, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO
A strong NATO needs a strong Europe
Dr. Detlef Wächter, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to NATO
10:25 AM
Keynote
Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, German Bundestag
Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, German Bundestag
10:55 AM
Insight
Securing Europe's Strength – Trust, Digital Sovereignty and a Comprehensive Security Framework for the European Economic Area
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Reuter, President, Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.
Securing Europe's Strength – Trust, Digital Sovereignty and a Comprehensive Security Framework for the European Economic Area
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Reuter, President, Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.
11:15 AM
Coffee break
11:35 AM
Strategic Dialogue
Defence as a strategic priority: how European companies are expanding their capabilities
Dr. Andreas Görgen, Chief Operations Officer, TKMS GmbH
Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of the Board, Salzgitter AG
Heike Homann, Vice President - Operations Strategy & Transformation, Airbus Helicopters
Daniel Zittel, Chief Sales Officer, Daimler Truck AG
Defence as a strategic priority: how European companies are expanding their capabilities
Dr. Andreas Görgen, Chief Operations Officer, TKMS GmbH
Gunnar Groebler, Chairman of the Board, Salzgitter AG
Heike Homann, Vice President - Operations Strategy & Transformation, Airbus Helicopters
Daniel Zittel, Chief Sales Officer, Daimler Truck AG
12:05 AM
Panel Discussion
Europe's Defence Capabilities Under Stress Test
Andreas Frank, Germany Defense Leader & Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY GmbH & Co. KG
Stefan Kapferer, CEO, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH
Dr. Jochen Schröder, Executive Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Schaeffler AG
Susanne Wiegand, Supervisory Board Member and Investor
Europe's Defence Capabilities Under Stress Test
Andreas Frank, Germany Defense Leader & Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY GmbH & Co. KG
Stefan Kapferer, CEO, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH
Dr. Jochen Schröder, Executive Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Schaeffler AG
Susanne Wiegand, Supervisory Board Member and Investor
12:50 PM
EU Keynote
Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board, KONE Corporation
Antti Herlin, Chairman of the Board, KONE Corporation
1:10 PM
Interruption
What Europe Must Do Now – No Excuses!
Klaus Welle, Chairman of the Academic Council, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
What Europe Must Do Now – No Excuses!
Klaus Welle, Chairman of the Academic Council, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
1:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
Block 2: AI & Innovation
How does Europe turn Regulation into Competitiveness?
How does Europe turn Regulation into Competitiveness?
2:10 PM
Talk
International students as a competitive factor – working together to secure Europe’s future viability
International students as a competitive factor – working together to secure Europe’s future viability
2:40 PM
On-Stage Discussion
3:00 PM
Political Keynote
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization
3:55 PM
Insight
Europe: an unfinished masterpiece
Miha Pogačnik, Violinist and cultural diplomat
Europe: an unfinished masterpiece
Miha Pogačnik, Violinist and cultural diplomat
4:15 PM
Coffee Break & Networking
Block 3: Financing & Transformation
How can Europe make capital markets a driver of its competitiveness?
How can Europe make capital markets a driver of its competitiveness?
4:35 PM
Keynote
Capital markets as a strategic lever: Europe's path to greater sovereignty
Dr. Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse Group
Capital markets as a strategic lever: Europe's path to greater sovereignty
Dr. Stephan Leithner, CEO, Deutsche Börse Group
4:55 PM
Executive Case
Financing security: Capital for defense and industrial sovereignty
Financing security: Capital for defense and industrial sovereignty
5:25 PM
Keynote
From Frankfurt to Europe: Markets as engines of innovation
Dr. Bettina Orlopp, CEO, Commerzbank AG
From Frankfurt to Europe: Markets as engines of innovation
Dr. Bettina Orlopp, CEO, Commerzbank AG
5:45 PM
Panel Discussion
Capital for Transformation: How do we finance Europe's future?
Eddy Henning, Head of Wholesale Banking and Member of the Executive Board, ING-DiBa AG
Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Presidium, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Kerstin Jorna, Director General, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME’s, European Commission
Prof. Jörg Rocholl, President, ESMT Berlin
Phaedon Tamvakakis, Chairman & Co-Founder, Alpha Trust
Capital for Transformation: How do we finance Europe's future?
Eddy Henning, Head of Wholesale Banking and Member of the Executive Board, ING-DiBa AG
Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director and Member of the Presidium, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Kerstin Jorna, Director General, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME’s, European Commission
Prof. Jörg Rocholl, President, ESMT Berlin
Phaedon Tamvakakis, Chairman & Co-Founder, Alpha Trust
6:25 PM
Q&A with the audience
6:35 PM
Farewell & Get-together