THE DANUBE REGION AT THE TURN OF TIMES – Shaping the Digital Future along the Danube. Unlocking Opportunities for SMEs and Industry through Cooperation. | Jul 3, 2026

THE DANUBE REGION AT THE TURN OF TIMES – Shaping the Digital Future along the Danube. Unlocking Opportunities for SMEs and Industry through Cooperation.

Free of charge

July 3, 2026 / 10:30AM - 4:15PM
IHK Ulm, Olgastraße 95-101, 89073 Ulm

The objective of the event is to foster international cooperation and to explore opportunities for SMEs and other stakeholders in the Danube Region regarding digital transformation and technological innovation in a rapidly changing environment.

The event aims to bring together corporate representatives, engaged stakeholders, political decision-makers, experts and members of the PA 8 Steering and Working groups as well as project partners of Interreg projects from the Danube countries.

The agenda will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions delving into the opportunities and challenges of digitalisation, AI, and corporate cybersecurity. A networking lunch will provide a valuable opportunity for informal exchange, followed by the “Insights: Regional AI-strategies and use cases” session. This part of the programme will showcase perspectives from policymakers and business leaders across different Danube countries, fostering a dynamic platform for political dialogue. A highlight will be the final keynote by one of Germany's leading digital and AI experts, Prof. Christian Stummeyer with insights in the advantages of AI for companies and an outlook into the future.

The event is taking place at the opening day of the International Danube Festival Donaufest. All participants are invited to the opening of the Danube Festival, followed by the VIP reception.

Event Details

Date: Friday, July 3rd, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Location: IHK Ulm, Olgastraße 95-101, 89073 Ulm, Germany
Language: English
Speakers: Speakers-Overview
Program: Programme-Overview

Target Audience:

SMEs and industry representatives from the Danube region
Political and administrative decision-makers
Experts in digitalisation, AI, and cybersecurity
Project partners and stakeholders of the EU Danube Region Strategy

Programme

10:30 am - Registration and Welcome Coffee
11:00 am - Introduction
• Dr. Jan Stefan Roell, President BWIHK, President of the IHK Ulm
• Martin Ansbacher, Lord Mayor of Ulm
• Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg

11:15 am - Keynote AI in Production
• Prof. Dr. Michel Börner, THU, Endowed Professorship for AI in Production, BW

11:30 am - Panel Talk: Digitalisation and AI for companies
• Balázs Barta, CEO, Pannon Business Network – Human-Humanoid Test Center, HU
• Claus Hoffmann, CEO Center for Digitalisation Region Stuttgart, BW
• Svitlana Skrypka, Head of International Cooperation, Lviv IT Cluster, UA
• Daniel Riss, General Manager, Axians Infoma, BW
• Tomislav Vazdar, AI & Cybersecurity Strategist | CEO @ Riskoria | HR

12:15 pm - Panel Talk: Keynote Corporate Cybersecurity
• Rolf Strehle, CEO, ditis Systeme - The Security Company (Voith Group), BW

12:25 pm - Corporate Cybersecurity
• Gerd Meier zu Köcker, CEO RegioClusterAgency, BW
• Iuliana Nichersu, EDIH-AICS, FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik,BW
• Silviu Sofronie, Director of Investigations, BitDefender, RO
• Gregor Spagnolo, Board member Slovenian Technology Forum, SLO
• Rolf Strehle, CEO, ditis Systeme - The Security Company (Voith Group), BW

01:15 pm - Networking lunch

02:30 pm - Insights: Regional AI-strategies and use cases
• Baden-Württemberg: Martin Ansbacher, Lord Mayor of Ulm
• Baden-Württemberg: Dr. Jan Stefan Roell, President BWIHK, President of
the IHK Ulm
• Baden-Württemberg: Minister or State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs,
Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg
• Bavaria: Tobias Gotthardt MdL, Vice Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional
Development and Energy
• Bavaria: Katrin Albsteiger, Lord Mayor of Neu-Ulm (tbc)
• Romania: Alexandru Nazare, Finance Minister (tbc)
• Bulgaria: Yakimov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth (tbc)
• Croatia: Goran Romek, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy
• Slovenia: Matevž Frangež, State Secretary, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism
and Sport (tbc)

03:30 pm - Keynote Future trends on Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence
• Prof. Dr. Christian Stummeyer

04:00 pm - Outlook and Official Invitation to the International Danube Festival

04:15 pm - Joint Walk to the Danube River

05:00 pm - Official Opening Ceremony of the International Danube Festival

06:00 pm - VIP Reception of the International Danube Festival