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 sections. Twelve curated Pecha Kucha presentations. And following each of the twelve themes, up to ten parallel 45-minute solution labs. This allows for up to 120 working groups to form over the course of the day – spaces where companies and organizations can present their specific challenges, share experiences with proven solutions, and collaboratively develop ideas, measures, and projects.
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
| 08:15 | till 14:00: Side event “Guided Roller Coaster Rides” with Yvonne Zwick (chairwoman, BAUM) at the participant’s own expense. Meeting point in the Spanish-themed area of Europa-Park – please register in advance. |
| 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 and warm-up by the BAUM Board, opening remarks, and speeches |
| 15:30 | Coffee break & networking (15:45–16:15 Speed Networking) |
| 16:30 | Presentation of the award winners and award ceremony hosted by Yvonne Zwick (chairwoman, BAUM) and Tobias Sudhoff (former head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant, musician, cabaret artist, and expert on the food transition) |
| Category: Transformation catalyst – large company: Uwe Bergmann (Corporate Director of ESG Reporting & Business Integration, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA) interviewed by Nicola Tanaskovic (Head of 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 of Purchasing, Voelkel GmbH) Category: Transformation catalyst – academic: Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer (Co-Director of Research, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Category: Transformation catalyst – democracy: Claudine Nierth (Spokesperson for the Federal Executive Board, Mehr Demokratie e.V.) |
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| 18:00 | Keynote Address |
| 18:15 | Musical Interlude: Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” with lyrics from “Hymn to Nature” by Georg Winter, accompanied by an ensemble from Ichenheim and featuring a tribute by Ludwig Karg (chairwoman, 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 | Welcome & warm-up |
| 09:30 |
Economy & Value Creation – What Will Tomorrow’s System-Wide Value Creation Look Like?
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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?
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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?
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| 16:15 | Statement of Confidence & outlook |
| 16:50 | Networking (with coffee and 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. |