Volkswagen Group’s Post

Why Stoke-on-Trent is Renewing its Links With Twin Town Erlangen It’s been 35 years since Stoke-on-Trent first twinned with the Bavarian town of Erlangen, and after years of quiet, the connection is making a comeback! This could mean exciting opportunities for businesses, students, and residents alike – and Stoke’s local companies are being urged to get involved. Why should you care? Erlangen, home to tech giant Siemens, is a powerhouse of innovation and technology. With Stoke looking to reignite this international partnership, there’s potential for new collaborations in medical and tech exchanges, educational links, and even cultural events. Imagine performances at Victoria Hall from Erlangen’s top talent, or local businesses tapping into a global network of opportunities! Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebration is just around the corner, and there’s never been a better time to embrace this renewed global friendship. https://lnkd.in/enBuUaEn

⏰ Are you ready for the introduction of the VISION team? Within the next few weeks you can look forward to exciting insights. Today we start with Florian Niethammer, Head of Trade Fairs & Events at Messe Stuttgart 🎤 🟡 What do you enjoy about your work? Since joining Messe Stuttgart in 2007, I've had the privilege of helping to shape VISION. What I particularly enjoy is organising this leading event on our exhibition grounds with an innovative, highly international, and at the same time very connected industry. 🟡 What hobbies help you to relax after a long day at work? Physical activity is my way of recharging. Over the last few years, I have regularly ridden my e-bike to the trade fair for two hours a day. This year, I set myself a new challenge and started running regularly again. Currently, I'm training for a marathon after a few years' break. This marathon will take place right after this year's VISION on Sunday. 🟡 What are your expectations for VISION 2024? The outlook for VISION 2024 is excellent: We already have 15 percent more exhibiting companies and occupied space, 66 percent of them coming from abroad, and a quarter of the companies are first-time exhibitors. These are the best conditions to welcome many new visitors and users of machine vision technology here in Stuttgart from 8 - 10 October 2024! #VISIONSTR #machinevision #technology #innovation #industry

Now that the dust has settled, it's time to wrap things up! For a brief overview, please check the link below. Especially noteworthy for those who could not be on site this time 😉 . What my personal take is on this? Actually, the event exceeded my expectations! It was busy, and the vibe and energy were simply great. I saw real people, touching real products and having real discussions. That's the meaning of #loveeverycontact for me. Often, you need to take a step back to identify change, but last week in Munich one could see and feel change in 'real time'. And remember, the future for the wider industry looks bright, with more focus than ever on a healthy lifestyle, more inclusive sports & societies and working towards a healthy planet for all. Yes, there are challenges as well, but they can be overcome if people stick together. Even for competing brands, retailers, associations and other stakeholders in the industry: there's more that unites you than divides you! Hence my invitation to all in the industry, and especially to brands, to actively participate in ISPO Munich 2025 (and if you're an outdoor brand of course in #outdoor2025 as well). As for platforms like ours it really is: "the bigger the better" 😀 .

It's true, if you look at ISPO Munich (the world's largest and most influential happening in the sports business), you come to the limits of definition: #Order fair? Yes! #Festival? Sure! #Knowledge transfer? But of course! #Media platform? Absolutely! #Trend forecast? Certainly! #Orientation? Of course! #Conference? #Networking? #Jobs? #Multisegment? #Fashion? #Tech? #Health? #Community? And the answer will always be one: Yes. And with pleasure! #ISPO #acceleratingsports #LoveEveryContact

Closer Collaboration Between HHL and City of Leipzig 🤝 We are strengthening our partnership with the City of #Leipzig with a cooperation agreement signed today, aimed at enhancing Leipzig's position as a hub for science and business. The agreement outlines four key areas where joint goals will be pursued, aligned strategies developed, and concrete initiatives implemented. For more details on the aims of the collaboration, you can read our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/etahe3VZ Listen to Prof. Dr. Tobias Dauth sharing more insights on the cooperation in the #MDR Sachsen News here (start: 1:19 min, German): https://lnkd.in/e-4nVFGi Stadt Leipzig Dr. Antje Nolting Dr. Torsten Loschke Lecturio MDR MITTELDEUTSCHER RUNDFUNK

What a year it’s been – 2024 brought countless opportunities and successes to celebrate! 🎉 We kicked off the year with inspiring events like the Meeting of the Bavarian Network of Representatives, "Hock di her," the Bavarian-Chinese Summer Dialogue, the Japanese New Year Reception, and the Chilean-Bavarian Innovation Summit in Munich, strengthening ties with international partners. These events, alongside our presence at world-class events like the RISC-V Summit Europe, Bits & Pretzels, and it-sa – Home of IT Security 2024 in Nuremberg, showcased Bavaria’s role as a leading business hub for innovation and networking. 2024 also saw significant growth in Bavaria's business landscape with numerous exciting expansion and relocation projects. Companies continue to recognize the region’s potential for innovation, skilled workforce, and excellent infrastructure. 🌍✨ Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue supporting businesses in their expansion plans, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for success. A big thank you to our partners, companies, and the incredible team at Invest in Bavaria for making this year so impactful. Here’s to another remarkable year ahead! 💙 Tobias Gotthardt I Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie I Hubert Aiwanger I Bayern Innovativ GmbH I Bayern International #SuccessinBavaria

It’s a wrap – several intense days at #CES 2025 in Las Vegas, one of the world’s largest tech events. A large scale event, +140 000 people dispersed over a large area. Impressive to see people gathering from all over the world showcasing the future of TECH. Inspired by all new things with potential to transform our world (a little bit less though than expected) and all fantastic meetings. AI was omnipresent andon all lips. From generative AI to advanced automation. Software is reshaping industries and redefining possibilities. A strong Swedish presence at #CES this year. Sweden were selected as one of the Global Innovation Champions The Volvo Group and the CEO Martin Lundstedt made a fantastic keynote togher with CTO Lars Stenqvist and CPO Andrea Fuder emphasizing the importance of a sustainable transportation systems and logistics' role in prosperity and GDP growth and that collaboration across the value chain is crucial in this transformation. The Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, accentuated how Sweden merges cutting-edge technology with a purpose-driven approach and highlighted the importance of trust, openness, and collaboration. +130 Swedish companies and international partners, customers and friends attended the Swedish Fika networking and Swedish CES Afterwork , promoting innovation and collaboration. The future of transport is all about collaboration and sustainability, and having the right people working together. CES 2025 reaffirmed the immense potential of technology to transform our world. Sweden’s role in this transformation is evident: lead with purpose, Innovate and foster global collaboration with sustainability in focus. Thanks #CES, all new acquaintance, partners and colleagues for inspiring meetings and conversations. Reach out if you’re interested in learning more about Sweden. Let’s pioneer the possible together. #Innovation #Collaboration #Sustainability #AI #Sweden #Businesssweden #futuremobility Vlad Månsson Peter Ekdahl Mats Shore Cyril Gauchet Andreas Netz Jan Hellåker Tomas Bennich Mikael N. Hjorth Mikael Klintberg Jonas Kjellstrand Johan Andinsson Peter Bryntesson Gabriella Virdarson Mathias Hultgren Charlotte Kramer

🍺 𝗢´𝘇𝗮𝗽𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝘀 🥨 which translates to "It's tapped" – and refers to the ceremonial tapping of the first beer keg that marks the official start of Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest is here again, and with it comes endless opportunities for fun and festivities. But did you know that there's more to the Wiesn than just beer and bratwurst? As experts in the MICE industry, we've put together some additional reasons why you should consider incorporating the Oktoberfest into your event planning. 🎵 Cultural immersion: The Oktoberfest offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself and your guests in traditional Bavarian culture. From the traditional clothing to the music and dancing, your guests will love experiencing something new and exciting. 🗨 Networking: The Oktoberfest is the perfect place to make new connections and network with other professionals in the industry. Who knows, you may even end up closing a deal over a stein of beer! 🤝 Team building: The Oktoberfest is a great way to build team morale and strengthen relationships. Encourage your employees to attend together and make memories that will last a lifetime. So, whether you're attending the Wiesn for business or pleasure, there's no denying the endless opportunities it offers. PS: For the for the spontaneous and last minute bookers among you, in case you still need a seat at a table or a bed to sleep in- take a look at the links in the commen section below ⬇

THE GERMAN SÃO PAULO While I stayed home over the holidays further to our Germany roadshow, I realized how similar my home state NRW is compared to SP in terms of its regional significance for Europe and South America, respectively. Let’s have a closer look at NRW and then you may get the idea: 1) NRW stands for North Rine-Westphalia and hosts Europe’s biggest metropolitan region Rhein-Ruhr, which is like SP a conglomerate of different big cities that grew together over time 2) NRW got - similar to SP in South America - the most populous state with over 18 Million people living here 3) NRW is the economic powerhouse in the heart of Europe, as SP is in South America 4) NRW is home to over 24.000 international companies and over 700.000 SMUs accounting for almost a trillion of Euros being generated p.a., i.e. 4,5% of EU’s GDP 5) NRW is home to about 70 universities hosting over 750.000 students, with over 60 technology and startup centers basically incubating over 20% of the startups “Made in Germany” 6) NRW is multi-culturally diverse and worth a visit with over 100 theaters, about 200 jazz venues, 900 museums, many thousands of bars & restaurants, as well as 6 World Heritage Sites 7) NRW’s solid infrastructure rounds up the impressive numbers for example with six airports. The major international airport DUS being located in the state’s capital Düsseldorf (see picture that has been taken during my last city visit) … Needless to say, NRW - like SP - will play a key role in case the EU-MERCOSUL free trade agreement gets ratified. We are ready with major offices in both states and will keep you informed about opportunities both ends. #MadeInGermany #TeamNRW #weareroedl #saopaulo

Yesterday, Automotive Campus participated as a 'feedback group' during the session on the renewed international Regional Value Proposition (RVP) of Brainport Eindhoven. With the global demand for talent doubling over the past five years, and the evolving preferences of (tech & IT) professionals regarding living and working environments, a strong and clear RVP is more important than ever. This is supported by Brainport's ‘customer journey’ research, which shows that employees place greater value on their surroundings. This calls for a compelling message to make our region stand out. Brainport competes with other international tech hotspots. A strong Regional Value Proposition is essential not only to increase Brainport's visibility as a tech region but also to attract the international talent our region so desperately needs. Especially when recruiting beyond national borders, the ‘place brand’ plays a crucial role alongside the ‘employer brand.’ For our campus residents, this document serves as a valuable tool to attract international talent. Together, we are building a future where Brainport is the place where talent from all over the world feels at home 🌍