Programme 2024

Free shuttle service to IFA GLOBAL MARKETS in Station Berlin. EXPERT TALKS is in Symposium F1.

With decades of experience selling to manufacturers and distributors, Etienne Finet will share what brands expects from their suppliers. From his base in Silicon Valley, Etienne has served OEM and white box suppliers as well as retail. He'll share his in-depth experience in working in Asia, Europe and USA.

Free shuttle service to IFA GLOBAL MARKETS in Station Berlin. EXPERT TALKS is in Symposium F1.

What's it take to be a great sourcing manager? Alberto Antinucci is a dynamic expert in business strategy with 30+ years of experience in high-tech ventures within China. As a sought-after public speaker and university lecturer, Alberto shares his expertise and insights. Alberto also talks about the latest major economic trends in China, important lessons on how to approach the Chinese market, how to manage a negotiation with the East, sourcing trends, and an update on how AI is unfolding.

Join us for an exciting global pitch battle featuring cutting-edge hardware for Emerging Consumer Tech startups. Watch as innovative companies compete head-to-head, showcasing breakthrough solutions that redefine the future of technology.  Understanding next-gen consumer gadgets, this event brings together world-changing ideas from around the globe. Don't miss out on the grand finale where one visionary startup will emerge as the ultimate winner. Tune in and witness the future of hardware unfold!

The list selected by The Factory Network:
FYTA
kikaGO
PLAUD.AI
TheLittleCat
ViXion

Free shuttle service to IFA GLOBAL MARKETS in Station Berlin. EXPERT TALKS is in Symposium F1.

How do the qualities and characteristics of each international market affect a supply chain based in China? As Director and owner of Victure Group, Paul Weedman provides one-stop services in China for sourcing, factory audit, quality control, and shipment consolidation-- as well as a China branch office service. With an office in Shenzhen and an international team located in various countries, Paul travels often to understand the market demand of the target markets and their relationship to a supply chain based in China and Asia. In this session, we'll discuss the current challenges and opportunities of sourcing in China-- and reveal some of the cross-cultural issues that can cripple the business.

This session is part of the AI platform powered by Handelsblatt, starting at 14:00

When artificial intelligence is deployed, it should ideally be with positive intent: work becomes easier, CO₂ reduction potentials are made more transparent, and diseases are diagnosed faster and more accurately. However, the sustainable development of these systems must not be overlooked amidst the significant technological advancements in AI. In this session, Annette Hamann and Prof. Dr. Gesche Joost will present specific AI use cases that are already having positive impacts. Additionally, we will discuss the limitations and frameworks necessary to enable sustainable development without hindering progress.

Free shuttle service to IFA GLOBAL MARKETS in Station Berlin. EXPERT TALKS is in Symposium F1.

Join us for this very special panel session where a sales rep firm shares its views on both suppliers and channel customers. CE Brothers consists of 25+ top tier sales agents covering 100+ countries and we'll have four of those countries represented on stage at EXPERT TALKS. Rep firms have been a traditional route to success in various countries, but CE Brothers expands the national concept to global. This will be your chance to learn how a rep picks its suppliers and wins its customers. Leveraging these experts with their experiences, we'll also talk about their home markets.

This session is part of the AI platform powered by Handelsblatt, starting at 14:00.

We look to the future: It's not only about highlighting the progress of AI, but also its catalytic effect on other technological areas. Whether it's promising deep-tech applications or midterm developments in the field of consumer electronics. Laura Möller and Dr. Julia Mann will shed light on what innovative deep-tech and AI start-ups are currently working on and how they aim to transition from the academic environment to the business world. Dr. Stefan Breit will illustrate how advanced technologies are being applied in established companies.

This session is part of the AI platform powered by Handelsblatt, starting at 14:00.

There is much discussion about how Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing work methods and processes. While some AI pioneers can showcase successful use cases, many companies struggle to articulate the business value and identify high-impact areas. So, what is the state of AI adoption in the German economy? And what needs to happen for the full potential of this key technology to be realized? Dr. Jan Kleibrink addresses this question in his keynote, setting the stage for the AI Platform powered by Handelsblatt.

Free shuttle service to IFA GLOBAL MARKETS in Station Berlin. EXPERT TALKS is in Symposium F1.

Everyone is stressed. Manufacturers don't understand the requirements, how to make a product, or even what to price it at. Overseas buyers and brands don't seem to know how to communicate with factories, what processes of manufacturing to check, or even if they should trust a manufacturer at all. All while consumers and clients aren't sure which product is safe, well priced and has the best quality. Stephan Thaerigen is on a mission to make all the process of manufacturing in China more transparent. Following a short presentation, we'll talk to Stephan about quality control, his case studies in sourcing and most importantly, compliance.