#VDMASummit
Become a partner Book now!

Agenda | VDMA European Summit 2026 in Rome

08:30 o'clock

Registration

09:00 o'clock

Welcome

Bertram Kawlath Bertram Kawlath President
VDMA e.V.
Europe Jacki Davis - Host at the VDMA European Summit 2026 Jacki Davis Host
09:15 o'clock

Keynote: The World Economy in an Age of Uncertainty and Fragmentation

Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist EBRD (invited)

09:45 o'clock

Session 1: Europe’s Machinery Industry in 2035 – Scenarios and implications

09:45 o'clock

VDMA scenario study on the future of the machinery industry – The results

Bertram Kawlath Bertram Kawlath President
VDMA e.V.
Europe
10:00 o'clock

Panel discussion: Europe's Machinery Industry 2030: Turning Scenarios into Strategy

10:45 o'clock

Coffee Break/Networking

11:30 o'clock

Keynote: China’s Rise in the Machinery Industry: What to Expect Next

11:30 o'clock

Parallel session 2: Security Drives Industry – How Defence Spending is Reshaping Opportunities for Machinery Companies

11:50 o'clock

Company perspective: How to adapt to intensifying competition

12:05 o'clock

Panel discussion: Business Strategy Meets Industrial Policy: Europe's Response to China's Machinery Ambitions

13:00 o'clock

Lunch Break

14:30 o'clock

Afternoon Session: Powering Europe's Industrial Future: Physical AI, Data and Manufacturing Ecosystems:

15:55 o'clock

Wrap up of the day, feedback, closing speech

Bertram Kawlath Bertram Kawlath President
VDMA e.V.
Europe