Innovation becomes visible where companies explore new paths and put solutions into practice. Against this backdrop, automotiveland.nrw, together with its partners, is inviting participants to the Learning Journey “On the Path to Innovation” on 6 May 2026. The programme includes company visits, practical impulses and exchange on current innovation processes.
The first edition will focus on visits to Automotive Center Südwestfalen GmbH in Attendorn and FANUC Deutschland GmbH in Meinerzhagen. Participants will gain insights into concrete applications, new technologies, innovative business models and forms of collaboration with direct practical relevance.
The Learning Journey is aimed at industry professionals and managers interested in transformation, future-oriented topics and solutions for SMEs as well as the automotive and supplier industry. The compact one-day format combines best practices, impulses, demonstrations and networking.
The full-day event will take place on 6 May 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at automotiveland.nrw in Solingen. Participation is free of charge. Interested parties can register by emailing fritsch@automotiveland.nrw.

The 3rd Interoperability Summit brings together leading experts from industry, standardization, and IT at T-Systems in Bonn. In cooperation with ECLASS e.V., GS1 Germany, interop4X (FVA GmbH), prostep ivip, and VDMA Machine Information Interoperability, the event will show how interoperability, data spaces, and standardized interfaces create the basis for future-proof production systems.
With keynotes from Siemens and T-Systems as well as practical use cases, the summit offers valuable insights for anyone actively driving digital transformation. The program can be found here.
Target audience: Executives, technical decision-makers, and experts from mechanical engineering, manufacturing, automation, and IT (especially digital transformation, standardization, Industry 4.0, and data integration).
Key topics:

• Procurement: Structures and requirements
• Innovation & High-Tech: Trends shaping defence capability
• Europe & international cooperation: Opportunities for joint projects

interpack is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the packaging industry. In Düsseldorf, experts, innovators and decision-makers from around the globe come together to learn about current trends, technologies and solutions related to packaging.
As an international showcase for innovation, the trade fair provides a central platform on which companies present their latest products and services. Visitors can expect a wide variety of exhibitors from all sectors of the packaging industry. In this way, the event offers a comprehensive overview of the entire value chain.

The Aachener Manufacturing Technology Days (AMTD) will celebrate their premiere in 2026, bringing together decision-makers from industry and research at the heart of manufacturing technology. The event focuses on scalable, economically viable and effective innovations for production in the future-oriented sectors of aviation, automotive, defence and energy.
The conference is aimed at executives and decision-makers from manufacturing companies and production equipment suppliers, as well as researchers seeking to transfer new manufacturing technologies into industrial application.
As early as the afternoon of 24 June, a Technology Show at the Manufacturing Technology Institute (MTI) of RWTH Aachen University and at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology will provide practical insights into current manufacturing solutions. The conference day on 25 June will be opened, among others, with a welcoming address by Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine Westphalia. High level keynotes – including Alfred Geißler (CEO, DMG MORI AG) – and a panel discussion addressing the question “Manufacturing technologies as a USP for future industries?” will round off the programme.

GITEX Europe is Europe’s new leading trade fair for digital transformation, startups, and public-sector digitalization. The NRW Joint Pavilion offers companies from North Rhine-Westphalia the opportunity to present themselves internationally and to establish targeted contacts with investors.
Key highlights of the trade fair include pitch formats, startup & corporate matchmaking, access to venture capitalists, the Supernova Challenge (€50,000), and networking events with corporates and investors. A total of 1,400 exhibitors, 30,000 visitors, and 750 startups are expected.
The target group consists of startups and innovative companies from NRW focusing on international scaling, lead generation, and investor access.
Advantages of the NRW Joint Pavilion:

• Funding by the state of NRW
• Modern booth design
• Digital company presentation
• Support before and during the trade fair
• Access to side events and the NRW Exhibitors’ Evening
• International networks & synergies

Registration deadline: March 30, 2026.