CONTACT Software will bring customers, partners, and industry experts together at Open World 2026 from September 23 to 24 at the World Conference Center Bonn, Germany.
The two-day conference will focus on how Industrial AI can be integrated across business systems and processes to support digital transformation while maintaining digital sovereignty. The event will combine technology presentations with practical insights, customer case studies, partner perspectives, and opportunities for professional networking.
As AI moves from an add-on technology to a core driver of value creation, companies are under increasing pressure to embed it across their operations. CONTACT Software will use Open World 2026 to present technologies, strategies, and real-world applications designed to support that transition throughout the entire value chain.
CONTACT COO Maximilian Zachries will open the conference with a keynote on the company’s strategic direction, including the planned expansion of its corporate group and its ambition to strengthen its role as a digitalisation partner.
Chief Product Officer Frank Patz-Brockmann will follow with an overview of the strategic roadmap for the CONTACT Elements platform and the role of Fourier AI within it. Product managers will also outline upcoming innovations planned for the platform.
Customer presentations will form a central part of the programme. Representatives from MANN+HUMMEL, thyssenkrupp Automotive, Grundfos, Weidmüller, and Siemens Mobility will discuss how they are using CONTACT Elements to streamline processes, improve resource efficiency, and accelerate the development and launch of new products.
Other companies expected to share their experiences include Apollo Tyres, Kalyani, Sumitomo Riko, and H2Green Oil. Their presentations will highlight digitalisation projects across established international businesses and emerging startups.
Topic-specific sessions will examine practical applications across the product lifecycle, from virtual engineering and the software-defined factory to smart services that can help improve after-sales performance and margins. Attendees will also be able to take part in guided tours of the partner exhibition and a panel discussion featuring industry experts.
The programme will close with keynotes from two leading figures in elite sport. Jutta Kleinschmidt, the first and so far only woman to win the Dakar Rally, will discuss the role of innovation under pressure. Olympic and World Champion biathlete Kati Wilhelm will focus on taking the initiative and refusing to let circumstances determine the course of events.
To secure your ticket for Open World 2026, CLICK HERE
