Conference program

September 3-4, 2025 | ECC Berlin

2-day conference program with masterminds from the rail industry

The motto of the conference program is "The future of the rail sector: shaping change together".

Four strategic pillars will be addressed on both days of the conference. The speakers' contributions will shed light on these topics:

Specialists and leadership

Digital railroad

Sustainability and new technologies

Supply chains of the future

Main Stage

Wednesday - September 03, 2025

All presentations on the Main Stage will be simultaneously translated into English

  • 08.00 - 09.00

    Check-in, first meetings and networking at the exhibition

    Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin
    Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin
  • 09.00 - 09.20Opening (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    Opening
    Opening, greetings and networking kick-off

    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Sarah Stark
    Managing Director, German Railway Industry Association
    Sarah Stark
    Managing Director, German Railway Industry Association
  • 09.20 - 09.40Sustainable technologies (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Transforming Mobility: Pioneering the Future of Green Transportation

    Henri Poupart-Lafarge
    CEO, Alstom
    Henri Poupart-Lafarge
    CEO, Alstom
  • 09.40 - 10.00Supply chains of the future (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Key pillars of the railway in the 21st Century: challenges and strategies for sustainable mobility

    Giuseppe Marino
    Chief Executive Officer, Hitachi Rail / SVP & Executive Officer, Hitachi Ltd.
    Giuseppe Marino
    Chief Executive Officer, Hitachi Rail / SVP & Executive Officer, Hitachi Ltd.
  • 10.00 - 10.20Digital railroad (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Computers, the internet and now AI - how can rail benefit from this third digital revolution?

    Michael Peter
    CEO, Siemens Mobility
    Michael Peter
    CEO, Siemens Mobility
  • 10.20 - 10.40Digital railroad (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    The DB Group's technology strategy

    Dr. Daniela Gerd tom Markotten
    Board Member for Digitalization and Technology, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Daniela Gerd tom Markotten
    Board Member for Digitalization and Technology, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 10.40 - 11.20

    Coffee break with networking in the exhibition

    Opening tour
  • 11.20 - 11.40Digital railroad (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Cybersecurity in the rail sector: automation of risk analyses

    Patric Birr
    COO, Informatik Consulting Systems GmbH
    Patric Birr
    COO, Informatik Consulting Systems GmbH
  • 11.40 - 12.30Specialists and leadership (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    MASTERCLASS
    The future of work in the rail sector: recruiting and retaining talent as a strategic task

    Nadine Korell
    Director Industrial Sales Central & East Europe and Distribution Business EMEA, SKF GmbH
    Nadine Korell
    Director Industrial Sales Central & East Europe and Distribution Business EMEA, SKF GmbH
    Jörg Scheer
    Managing Director, HARTING Customized Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
    Jörg Scheer
    Managing Director, HARTING Customized Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
  • 12.30 - 13.10Mixed topics (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    COMPANY INSIGHTS
    Expert speeches



    Infrastructure. Crossing. Train anti-collision. Solutions with radar technology.
    Thomas Hörl-Weinhold
    VP Industry Business Development, Symeo GmbH
    Infrastructure. Crossing. Train anti-collision. Solutions with radar technology.
    Thomas Hörl-Weinhold
    VP Industry Business Development, Symeo GmbH
    EULYNX-compliant Wayside Object Controllers in Railway Signaling
    Florian Einböck
    Product Manager FAdC® & EULYNX, Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH
    EULYNX-compliant Wayside Object Controllers in Railway Signaling
    Florian Einböck
    Product Manager FAdC® & EULYNX, Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH


  • 13.10 - 14.10

    Networking lunch in the exhibition

  • 14.10 - 14.50Supply chains of the future (🇬🇧)

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    Global turbulence, political challenges and a stable (global) supply chain

    Jan Christoph Harder
    President Region West, Å KODA Group
    Jan Christoph Harder
    President Region West, Å KODA Group
    Dr. Arne Gausepohl
    Member of the Executive Committee, OHB SE
    Dr. Arne Gausepohl
    Member of the Executive Committee, OHB SE
    Rory Lamont
    CPO, Siemens Mobility
    Rory Lamont
    CPO, Siemens Mobility
    Patrick Vollmer
    Senior Managing Director-Global Industry Group Lead Industrials, Accenture
    Patrick Vollmer
    Senior Managing Director-Global Industry Group Lead Industrials, Accenture
  • 14.50 - 15.10Specialists and leadership (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Strong HR as a key factor in the transformation

    Martin Seiler
    Board Member for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Martin Seiler
    Board Member for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 15.10 - 15.30Specialists and leadership (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Punctual, reliable, connecting: our plans for German and European long-distance rail transport

    Dr. Michael Peterson
    Executive Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Michael Peterson
    Executive Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 15.30 - 15.45

    Railsponsible Award

    Dr. Levin Holle (tbc)
    CFO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Levin Holle (tbc)
    CFO, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 15.45 - 16.15

    Coffee break with networking in the exhibition

  • 16.15 - 18.00

    Executive Workshops & DB Roundtable

  • 18.00 - 18.30

    Champagne reception and networking in the exhibition

  • From 18.30

    Festive evening reception & dinner speech

    Dr. Richard Lutz
    CEO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Richard Lutz
    CEO, Deutsche Bahn AG

Thursday - September 04, 2025

All presentations on the Main Stage will be simultaneously translated into English

  • 08.00 - 09.00


    Check-in, first meetings and networking at the exhibition

    Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin
    Estrel Congress Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin
  • 09.00 - 09.10Opening (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)


    Opening & Recap Day 1

  • 09.10 - 09.30Sustainable technologies (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Steel in the rail industry: How to optimize the CO2 footprint of a core raw material in the industry?

  • 09.30 - 09.50Specialists and leadership (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Standards and certifications: A framework for greater safety in the rail sector

    Dirk Pieler
    Executive Vice President Business Unit Industry Solutions, Rittal
    Dirk Pieler
    Executive Vice President Business Unit Industry Solutions, Rittal
  • 09.50 - 10.30Supply chains of the future (🇬🇧)

    MASTERCLASS
    Rethinking supply chains: are we ready for the next step?

    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Sul Sahota
    Chairman & CEO, Oleo International, DigitalTrains
    Sul Sahota
    Chairman & CEO, Oleo International, DigitalTrains
  • 10.30 - 10.50

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    Let's empty the warehouses: manufacturing on demand in rail

    Stefanie Brickwede
    Head Of Additive Manufacturing, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Stefanie Brickwede
    Head Of Additive Manufacturing, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 10.50 - 11.40

    Coffee break and networking in the exhibition

    Tour 1: Vehicle technologies
    Tour 2: Infrastructure and construction sites
    Tour 3: Maintenance and plants
  • 11.40 - 12.00

    KEYNOTE | Q&A
    The future of mobility: prospects for regional transport

    Ralph Rohde
    Chief Financial Officer/Controlling, DB Regio
    Ralph Rohde
    Chief Financial Officer/Controlling, DB Regio
  • 12.00 - 12.40Digital railroad (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    MASTERCLASS
    Why rail manufacturers/suppliers need to transform themselves into software-driven companies

    Holger Pütz
    CEO, voestalpine Railway Systems Germany GmbH
    Holger Pütz
    CEO, voestalpine Railway Systems Germany GmbH
    Dr. Michael Holzapfel
    Senior Vice President Business Unit Rail - Industrial Europe, Schaeffler
    Dr. Michael Holzapfel
    Senior Vice President Business Unit Rail - Industrial Europe, Schaeffler
  • 12.40 - 13.10Digital railroad (🇩🇪/🇬🇧)

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    The future of rail infrastructure: expansion, modernization and financing

    Jens Bergmann
    Chief Financial and Controlling Officer, DB InfraGO AG
    Jens Bergmann
    Chief Financial and Controlling Officer, DB InfraGO AG
    Markus Fritz
    COO, Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH
    Markus Fritz
    COO, Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH
    Mark Fisher
    CTO, Spitzke SE
    Mark Fisher
    CTO, Spitzke SE
  • 13.10 - 14.10


    Lunch and visit to the exhibition

  • 14.10 - 14.50Sustainable technologies (🇬🇧)

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    On the way to the Europe Act: Connecting 230 major cities to the HSR every hour - what is needed?

    Sophie Buyse
    Head of Market Management International Long-Distance Transport, DB Fernverkehr AG
    Sophie Buyse
    Head of Market Management International Long-Distance Transport, DB Fernverkehr AG
    Agustin Escobar
    CEO of Rail Infrastructure, Siemens Mobility
    Agustin Escobar
    CEO of Rail Infrastructure, Siemens Mobility
    Dipl.-Ing. Walter Rieger
    CEO, NET-Automation GmbH
    Dipl.-Ing. Walter Rieger
    CEO, NET-Automation GmbH
  • 14.50 - 14.55


    Take-aways and farewell

Innovation Stage

Wednesday - September 03, 2025

All presentations on the Innovation Stage will be simultaneously translated into English

  • 14.10 - 14.25

    Opening
    From challenges to solutions for a strong railroad: the importance of technological innovation

    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 14.25 - 14.55Topic block I: Digital railroad (🇩🇪)

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    How can sector migration to autonomous driving succeed?

    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Jasmin Bigdon
    CTO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Florian Kittelmann
    Autonomous Mobility Director, Alstom
    Florian Kittelmann
    Autonomous Mobility Director, Alstom
    Christian Wallner
    Director Product Policy MLS , Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH
    Christian Wallner
    Director Product Policy MLS , Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH
    Ralf Baron
    Partner, ARTHUR D. LITTLE GmbH
    Ralf Baron
    Partner, ARTHUR D. LITTLE GmbH
  • 14.55 - 15.45Topic block I: Digital railroad (🇩🇪)

    14.55 - 15.05
    Sensors in the rail sector
    Renate Bay
    Managing Director, ASC GmbH
    14.55 - 15.05
    Sensors in the rail sector
    Renate Bay
    Managing Director, ASC GmbH
    15.05 - 15.15
    The digital mapping of the track with "zentrak"
    Nadja Jungwirth
    Managing Director, voestalpine Railway Systems Germany GmbH
    15.05 - 15.15
    The digital mapping of the track with "zentrak"
    Nadja Jungwirth
    Managing Director, voestalpine Railway Systems Germany GmbH
    15.15 - 15.25
    DATA ANALYTICS in railroad operations - practical application examples for sustainably increasing energy efficiency and predicting future damage at an early stage
    Rupert Lange-Brandenburg
    Head of Business Line Digital Products and Services, CDO, DB Systemtechnik GmbH
    15.15 - 15.25
    DATA ANALYTICS in railroad operations - practical application examples for sustainably increasing energy efficiency and predicting future damage at an early stage
    Rupert Lange-Brandenburg
    Head of Business Line Digital Products and Services, CDO, DB Systemtechnik GmbH
    15.25 - 15.35
    Climate readiness for rail companies - a robust and resilient mode of transport under tougher climatic conditions
    Christian Albrecht
    Partner, Valantic
    15.25 - 15.35
    Climate readiness for rail companies - a robust and resilient mode of transport under tougher climatic conditions
    Christian Albrecht
    Partner, Valantic
    15.35 - 15.45
    COMPANY INSIGHTS 5

    15.35 - 15.45
    COMPANY INSIGHTS 5

  • 15.45 - 16.15

    Coffee break and networking in the exhibition

  • 16.15 - 16.35Thematic block II: Sustainable technologies (🇩🇪)

    LECTURE
    Up-cycling in thresholds, durable with constant quality

    Han Sterk
    Product Area Manager Rail, Lankhorst Engineered Products
    Han Sterk
    Product Area Manager Rail, Lankhorst Engineered Products
  • 16.35 - 16.55Thematic block II: Sustainable technologies (🇩🇪)

    LECTURE
    Sustainable digitalization: How IT platforms, microcomputing and clouds can revolutionize rail operations



Thursday - September 04, 2025

All presentations on the Innovation Stage will be simultaneously translated into English

  • 10.30 - 10.50Theme block III: Digital railroad (🇩🇪)

    LECTURE | Q&A

    Digital maintenance

    Dr. Miroslav Obrenovic
    Head of Digitalization Maintenance, Projects and Portfolio Management, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Miroslav Obrenovic
    Head of Digitalization Maintenance, Projects and Portfolio Management, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 10.50 - 11.40

    Coffee break and networking in the exhibition

  • 11.40 - 12.20Theme block III: Digital railroad (🇩🇪)

    TECH INSIGHTS
    Start-up pitches

    Franka Korkus
    Functional Lead and Program Manager, DB MindBox
    Franka Korkus
    Functional Lead and Program Manager, DB MindBox
    Nils Hillebrandt
    Functional Lead and Program Manager, DB MindBox
    Nils Hillebrandt
    Functional Lead and Program Manager, DB MindBox
  • 12.20 - 13.10Thematic block IV: Sustainable technologies (🇩🇪)

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    Electricity - battery - hydrogen - hybrid: energy options for alternative forms of propulsion in rail transportation

    Katrin Habenschaden
    Head of Sustainability & Environment, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Katrin Habenschaden
    Head of Sustainability & Environment, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Eric Nöh
    Head of Business Development, Sales & Marketing, ABB
    Eric Nöh
    Head of Business Development, Sales & Marketing, ABB
  • 13.10 - 14.10

    Lunch and visit to the exhibition

Workshops

Wednesday - September 03, 2025

  • 16.15 - 18.00The digital railroad - Room 15 (parallel session) (🇩🇪)

    DB Procurement Round Table

    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Jan Grothe
    CPO, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Uwe Neumann
    Head of Infrastructure Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Uwe Neumann
    Head of Infrastructure Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Daniela Majewsky
    Head of Procurement General Requirements and Services, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Daniela Majewsky
    Head of Procurement General Requirements and Services, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Patrick Reiß
    Head of Principles and Services Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Patrick Reiß
    Head of Principles and Services Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Anja Schlosser
    Head of Holistic Operational Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Anja Schlosser
    Head of Holistic Operational Procurement, Deutsche Bahn AG
  • 16.15 - 18.00The digital railroad - Room 6 and 7 (parallel session) (🇩🇪)

    Executive Workshop 1:
    Betterasset availability through new technologies and efficient maintenance

    N.N.
    Deutsche Bahn AG
    N.N.
    Deutsche Bahn AG
    Thorsten Kirschner
    Global Lead - Center of Excellence Rail, GS1 Germany GmbH
    Thorsten Kirschner
    Global Lead - Center of Excellence Rail, GS1 Germany GmbH




  • 16.15 - 18.00Professionals and leadership - Room 9 (parallel session) (🇩🇪)

    Executive Workshop 2
    The challenge of autonomous driving: Smart paths to a pragmatic and safe release

    Dr.- Ing. Hiie-Mai Unger
    CEO, DB Systemtechnik
    Dr.- Ing. Hiie-Mai Unger
    CEO, DB Systemtechnik
    Dr. Lars Müller
    Head of Business Segment Approval Vehicles and Infrastructure, Deutsche Bahn Systemtechnik
    Dr. Lars Müller
    Head of Business Segment Approval Vehicles and Infrastructure, Deutsche Bahn Systemtechnik




  • 16.15 - 18.00Sustainable technologies - Room 10 (parallel session) (🇩🇪)

    Executive Workshop 3
    CO2 reduction outside of rail transport: strategies and best practices

    Dr. Thomas Hempe
    Head of Provision and Maintenance / Plants, DB Fernverkehr plants
    Dr. Thomas Hempe
    Head of Provision and Maintenance / Plants, DB Fernverkehr plants
    Dr. Stephan Middelkamp
    General Manager Quality & Technologies, HARTING
    Dr. Stephan Middelkamp
    General Manager Quality & Technologies, HARTING


  • 16.15 - 18.00The digital railroad - Room 11 (parallel session) (🇬🇧)

    Executive Workshop 4
    Artificial intelligence in rail operations: applications, potentials and hurdles

    Dr. Karsten Kemeter
    CTO Communications Technology, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Dr. Karsten Kemeter
    CTO Communications Technology, Deutsche Bahn AG
    Vijaya Adusumalli
    Head of Digital Competence Center, Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH
    Vijaya Adusumalli
    Head of Digital Competence Center, Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland GmbH