Program
BAUM Conference 2026
Confiance en Europe – Confidence in Europe.
Overcoming Risks, Seizing Opportunities
The BAUM Conference 2026 is more than just a conference. It is a space for finding solutions for businesses and bright minds who are actively shaping Europe. In dialogue with the business community, the political sphere and civil society, we ask: What does a values-based EU single market need – and who is shaping it?
The program will be updated on an ongoing basis over the next weeks.
Wednesday, September 9, will be all about the BAUM | Environment and Sustainability Award. Stay tuned to find out who our five award winners are!
On Thursday, September 10, the Solutions Lab & Inspiration Festival will take place. This won’t be a series of lectures where you can just sit back and relax, but rather a structured space for thinking – for anyone who comes with genuine questions and solid knowledge and wants to go home with concrete ideas and new partnerships.
Three thematic blocks. Twelve curated Pecha Kucha presentations. And following each of the twelve themes, up to ten parallel 45-minute solution labs. This allows for the creation of up to 120 working groups – spaces in which companies and organisations can present their specific challenges, share experiences of tried-and-tested solutions, and jointly develop ideas, measures and projects. Depending on the input from our guests, there will also be solution labs in English and, where appropriate, French.
Venue:
Europa-Park Dome at the Confertainment Center
(right next to the main entrance of Europa-Park)
Europa-Park-Straße 2
77977 Rust
Book a ticket now
Bookings are made through Digital BAUM.
First, you’ll need to register there—it’s quick and easy.
Tuesday, September 8
| 18:30 | Side event: Ecumenical service at St. James Chapel (30 minutes) |
| 19:30 | till 22:00: informal pre-event gathering for early arrivals at Bar El Circo at your own expense — please register by September 7. |
Wednesday, September 9
| 12:00 | Side event: Ecumencal Service at St. James Chapel (30 minutes) |
| 13:00 | Registration & networking with a light lunch |
| 14:00 | Welcome & warm-up by the BAUM Managing Board, welcoming remarks by Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety |
| 14:45 | Panel „Confiance en Europe – Zuversicht in Europa. Wie schaffen wir eine neue Kooperationskultur, in der wir Risiken meistern und Chancen nutzen?“ Yvonne Zwick (Vorsitzende, BAUM e.V.) und Tobias Sudhoff (ehem. Küchenchef eines Sternerestaurants, Musiker und Kabarettist sowie Experte für die Nahrungsmittelwende) im Gespräch mit Gabriele Hässig (Geschäftsführerin Kommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit DACH, Procter & Gamble) |
| 15:30 | Coffee break & networking (15:45–16:15 Speed Networking) |
| 16:30 | Presentation of the award winners and award ceremony |
| Category Transformation catalyst – large company: Uwe Bergmann (Corporate Director ESG Reporting & Business Integration, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA) presented by Nicola Tanaskovic (Head of Division Corporate Responsibility, REWE GROUP, and member of the jury for the BAUM | Environment and Sustainability Award) Category Transformation catalyst – SME: Eva Danneberg (Managing Partner, WERKHAUS Design + Produktion GmbH) Category Transformation catalyst – SME: Boris Voelkel (Managing Director Procurement, Voelkel GmbH) Category Transformation catalyst – academic: Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer (Co-Director of Research, Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung – PIK) Category Transformation catalyst – democracy: Claudine Nierth (Spokesperson for the federal executive committee, Mehr Demokratie e.V.) |
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| 18:00 | Festive tribute to the award winners & musical interlude: Ludwig van Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ with the lyrics ‘Hymn to Nature’ by Georg Winter, accompanied by an ensemble from Ichenheim and with a tribute by Ludwig Karg (Chair, INEM – International Network for Environmental Management) |
| 18:30 | Dinner & networking (open to accompanying family members after the park closes) |
| 22:00 | End of the first day of the event |
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Followed by an optional networking event on a self-pay basis (Bar Colosseo at Hotel Colosseo)
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Thursday, September 10
What, specifically, is holding us back – and what would be the key to truly overcoming sustainability risks and capitalizing on the opportunities ahead?
The second day of the BAUM conference, which we’re organizing as an interactive workshop, is dedicated to this question. Short presentations in the Pecha Kucha format will alternate with solution labs, peer consultation, and speed networking. In this way, challenges and ideas will give rise to concrete approaches, collaborations, and next steps that strengthen sustainable business practices in Europe.
| 08:00 | Side event: Ecumencal Service at St. James Chapel (30 minutes) |
| 08:30 | Registration & networking |
| 09:00 | Begrüßung & Warming-up mit Yvonne Zwick (Vorsitzende, BAUM e.V.) |
| 09:30 |
Economy & Value Creation – What Will Tomorrow’s System-Wide Value Creation Look Like? | Host: Prof. Dr. Ralf Frank (Managing Partner, Sustainserv, and member of the Executive Board, BAUM e.V.)
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| 11:00 | Coffee Break & networking (11:15–11:45 Speed Networking) |
| 12:00 |
Infrastructure, Culture & Mobility – What Supports and Moves Us? | Host: Heike Schönberg (Expert for sustainability, compliance & procurement, member of the Executive Board, BAUM e.V., and member of the Sustainable Events Initiative– INV)
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| 13:30 | Lunch & networking |
| 14:30 | Continuation in the plenary session |
| 14:45 |
Society & Narratives – How Can We Inspire People to Embrace Sustainability? | Host: Dr. Norbert Taubken (Partner, Senior Advisor, Scholz & Friends Reputation)
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| 16:15 | Statement of Confidence & outlook |
| 16:45 | Networking (with coffee & cake) |
| 17:30 | End of the event |
| Starting at 17:00, you can visit Europa-Park for free (until closing time). |
Friday, September 11
| 09:30 | Open-Air-Side Event: Nature Leadership Walk: Regenerative Management Inspired by Nature. A 3 hours interactive walk & talk with Rainer Kant (Senior Project Manager, BAUM e.V.) – please register in advance. |
| The BAUM conference is a contribution to the European Climate Pact and is financially supported by the Franco-German Citizens’ Fund |