We are living in uncertain times marked by growing nationalism, protectionism and a tendency to turn inwards. But for Europe’s technology industries, open collaboration across borders has been the key to innovation, growth and job creation for 60-plus years.

As Europe looks to the future in the context of the upcoming elections, how can we change the conversation to focus on collaboration as the driver of a bright future for EU industry and society? 

Join Orgalime – the European Technology Industries – in Brussels on 13 November as we bring together experts from the worlds of business and policy to find answers on navigating a way forward.

Registration is now open until 28 October. For programme updates keep an eye on our event website or look for the hashtag #CollaborateToCompete on the Orgalime Twitter feed.

Draft programme:

12.30   Opening lunch at Square Brussels Meeting Centre (Panoramic Room)

14.00   Welcome

Malte Lohan, Orgalime Director General

14.10   Fireside chat: In conversation with Tomas Hedenborg – Orgalime President, Fastems CEO and member of the European Commission’s High-Level ‘Industry 2030’ Roundtable

14.30   Session 1: A strong European industry – a strong and united Europe

EU Commission President Juncker’s 2018 State of the Union address failed to mention industry once. Does the EU’s political leadership underestimate the role of a strong industry in the future of a strong and united Europe?

This session puts European industry centre stage, kicking off with the presentation of an original explorative study by award-winning AI-based automated analytics platform DataStories International that will provide a fresh insight into industry trends.

Behind the numbers: uncovering industry trends with Katya Vladislavleva, CEO and Chief Data Scientist at DataStories International

This analysis builds on Orgalime’s curated database of technology industry statistics, enriched with publicly available economic and demographic data – addressing global high-level trends and zooming in on opportunities and risks in Europe’s technology industries.

Panel discussion: does Europe need a coordinated EU industrial strategy?

Our panellists will evaluate the implications of these trends for EU policy. Where should we strengthen European collaboration and focus EU policy to help maximise industry’s contribution to our economy and society?

16.00   Collaborate to compete in AI: leveraging Europe’s strengths to gain a competitive edge

As the US and China speed ahead, some fear that Europe has already lost the global AI race. But one look at the innovation emerging from Europe’s technology industries tells a very different story: they are already world-leading in AI embedded in consumer and industrial products, opening opportunities to carve out a competitive advantage.   

This panel discussion will explore how European tech firms are playing to their strengths by leveraging the possibilities of AI and machine learning to make manufacturing smarter, mobility cleaner, energy production greener and healthcare more precise.       

17.20  Closing remarks

Malte Lohan, Orgalime Director General

17.45   Site visit: BeCentral

Delving deeper into the theme of collaboration, the conference will be followed by a guided visit to BeCentral, an innovative digital campus in a unique location: Brussels Central Station. Learn what happened when a group of passionate entrepreneurs put their heads together to accelerate the digital transformation in Belgium – and find out how the ecosystem they created is spurring new meetings of minds and helping close the digital skills gap.

19.30   Gala dinner at BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts

Continue the conversation and make new connections over a drinks reception and gala dinner in the inspirational Art Nouveau surroundings of the Rotunda Bertouille room of Brussels’ BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts.