Briefing for participants
4. Automotive Masterminds
May 4–5, 2026 | ECC Berlin
CHECK-IN, ARRIVAL & HOTEL
ADDRESS: 📍Estrel Convention Center, Sonnenallee 225, 12057 Berlin (Google Maps)
ACCOMMODATION
Rooms at the Estrel Hotel are available at special rates for your overnight stay - but only while stocks last (unfortunately we cannot guarantee availability).
TRAVEL INFO
You can find all the information on how to get there by clicking on the button below.
Tip: Participants of the Automotive Masterminds Berlin benefit from special conditions with Deutsche Bahn (DB Special).
TICKETS & CHECK-IN
Your ticket includes access to the conference program, the exhibition, the catering and the Mastermind Party.
Important: no e-tickets in advance!
To ensure a quick and easy check-in, you will receive an email containing your personal QR code with the subject line: [Important] Your check-in code, …
Alternatively, you can simply register at the check-in counter with a valid ID document (ID card or passport).
OPENING HOURS - CHECK-IN
May 3, 2026: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Pre-Check-In)
May 4, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
May 5, 2026: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Floor plan
Event Platform & Matchmaking App
Registration and next steps
Log in with the access data you received by e-mail from the sender noreply@mg.gripcontact.com
[Login Data] The event platform for Automotive Masterminds 2026 is now open!
Set up your profile.
Search the participation list for exciting contacts and network with other participants.
Arrange meetings at the conference or book video calls directly via the platform.
WHAT DOES THE PLATFORM OFFER?
Livestream of the Mainstage - including Q&A and polls
Virtual exhibition with product search
AI-based networking with all participants - on site and online
Matchmaking: You will receive suitable contact suggestions based on your interests and behavior
B2B meeting function for making appointments
Chats and video calls directly via the platform
OPENING HOURS
The event platform will go live on April 27, 2026, and will remain open until June 5, 2026.
Video calls will be available 24/7 for two days starting May 4.
Everything you need on-site—all in one app:
Agenda and personal schedule
Q&A and surveys during the presentations
QR code scan for direct connection with other participants
Chat with other participants
Scheduling B2B meetings in the meeting area or at an exhibition booth
Agenda & Schedule
💡TIP: Create your own personalized schedule in the event app
In the event app, you'll find the full schedule and all the networking highlights. There, you can create your own personalized itinerary, so you can easily keep track of the program highlights and your schedule.
May 3, 2026
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pre-check-in
Starting at 6:00 p.m.
Open networking at the Estrel Bar (at your own expense)
May 4, 2026
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Check-in and morning coffee in the exhibition hall
9:00 a.m.
Conference Opening & Networking Kick-off
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Conference Program & Exhibition
2:00–2:40 p.m. Deep Dive (by registration)
2:50–3:30 p.m. Deep Dive (by registration)
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Workshop (by registration)
6:00– 10:00 p.m.
Mastermind Party
Starting at 10:00 p.m.
Open networking at the Estrel Bar (at your own expense)
May 5, 2026
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Check-in and morning coffee in the exhibition hall
9:00 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Conference program and exhibition
1:50–3:00 p.m. Farewell Lunch
In-Depth Sessions & Workshop
- Limited sessions; advance registration required -
Participants with an Executive Ticket can secure their spots in sessions with limited capacity approximately 4 weeks before the event. Registration will be conducted via email. First come, first served.
You will receive an email confirmation of the sessions you booked from the sender team@automasterminds.com with the subject line ‘Confirmation of your session booking - Automotive Masterminds 2026’
Core Pass holders can book any remaining available seats about a week before the event.
Deep Dives
Dive deeper into topics during the Deep Dive Sessions and ask our experts everything you’ve always wanted to know.
Deep Dive Program
Day 1 – May 4, 2:00–2:40 p.m.
Mastering Complexity and Cost: The CEO’s Mandate for Radical Standardization
Fabian Ahrendts
Head of Group R&D Synergies & Process Excellence, Volkswagen AG
Day 1 – May 4, 2:50–3:30 p.m.
AI, please drive me home - autonomous driving as the next killer app
Joachim Mathes
CTO, Valeo Brain Division
Workshop Program
Day 1 – May 4, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Better to be fast than perfect: Building a culture that thrives on rapid product cycles
Dr. Ralf Schnupp
Vice President of Strategic Transformation, AUMOVIO
Gesa Luise Rittinghaus
Principal, Consileon Business Consultancy GmbH
Tim Gude
Head of Software & Digital Strategy, Volkswagen Group
Workshops
Discuss topics and work in teams with other executives and selected experts in our workshop. Exchange ideas, gain new insights, and network extensively.
Networking Highlight
Mastermind Party
Day 1, May 4, 6–10 p.m. in the foyer/exhibition hall
Don’t miss THE networking highlight—our Mastermind Party at the end of the first day of the trade show! Exchange ideas with the other Masterminds, make new connections at the flying dinner, play a game table soccer and capture your memories in our photo booth.
Event photos
We have a professional photographer on site. The first photos from the event will be available on the first day of the conference starting around 12:30 p.m.
👉 Feel free to share! Post the images on your social media channels using the hashtag #amm26
The gallery is constantly updated.
We are constantly adding new pictures during the event - we do our best to capture as many impressions of the program and the exhibition as possible. So it's worth checking back regularly!
About a week after the conference, we will make the final optimized photos available under the same link.
Social Media
Follow us on LinkedIn!
During the conference, we will continuously post current impressions, highlights and voices from the event.
Feel free to comment, like, and share our posts—or get involved and post something yourself!
👉 Don't forget: Use #amm26
💬 SPREAD THE WORD 💬
Invite your network to meet you in Berlin!
Use your social media channels to show your support—and tag us with #amm26 and @Automotive Masterminds
In our media kit you will find suitable banners, videos and templates for free use:
Create your own personalized banner with your image or logo in just two steps!
Presentations & video recordings
The presentations of the speakers (if released for publication) will be available after the conference in a password-protected download area - exclusively for registered participants on site. We will inform you by e-mail as soon as access is activated.
The video recordings of the sessions are available both on the event platform and in the download area.
Contact
If you still have questions after reading the briefing, feel free to contact us anytime!
We’re happy to assist you in making your experience with Automotive Masterminds as enjoyable, seamless, and inspiring as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin soon!
Your Automotive Masterminds team
Tina Mihm
Jr. Partner / Team Leader
Mayra Steinert
Project manager
Patrick Purwin
Sales manager
Thanks to our competence partners
We would like to thank our partners for their advice and support in shaping the content of Automotive Masterminds 2026.
