Future Career Festival 2026 by WHU x Global Spotlight
About this Event
⏳ Limited tickets available – 70% sold. First come, first served.
🎟 Early Bird Tickets available until 15 September 2026
🇩🇪 Deutsche Version | 🇬🇧 German version below
Future Skills. Global Minds. Grow Together.
After a successful kick-off edition¹ in March 2026 with over 280 participants and 10 forward-thinking employers – including Henkel, BASF, Infosys and the German Armed Forces, the Future Career Festival 2026 – Future Skills · Global Minds · Grow Together.
Look forward to an inspiring festival day full of ideas, encounters and inspiration around the most important Future of Work trends – including AI, innovation and inclusion. Whether you want to advance your career, gain new perspectives or expand your professional network – the Future Career Festival brings together top talents from Germany and around the world with future-oriented and inclusive employers who are shaping the working world of tomorrow.
Gemeinsam mit führenden Persönlichkeiten aus Wirtschaft und Politik – darunter Thomas Ogilvie (CHRO, DHL Group), Andrea Hendrickx (Country Head, Infosys Deutschland), Sebastian Dettmers (CEO, The StepStone Group), Stefan Geister (CSO, L'Oréal DACH) sowie Mona Neubaur (Stellvertretende Ministerpräsidentin des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen) – und unserem Festival Co-Host, der WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, erhalten Sie exklusive Einblicke, praxisnahe Karriereimpulse und frische Perspektiven auf die Zukunft der Arbeit.
What can you expect?
Look forward to a varied festival day with inspiring keynotes, top-class panel talks, a Future of Work Career Expo, Career Coaching & Mentoring, the Global Talent Employer Award and exclusive networking opportunities – spread over two festival locations located right next to each other.
🎤 Main Stage | Dr. Thompson's Soap Factory
Experience inspiring keynotes, top-class panel talks and exciting discussions about AI, innovation, global talent and inclusion. The program will be complemented by the Future of Work Career Expo, Career Coaching & Mentoring and the Global Talent Employer Award Ceremony.
👔 Leadership Career Lounge | WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Leadership Lounge ticket required)
Take part in three exclusive executive networking sessions (60 minutes each) and make valuable contacts with leaders from our festival partners to expand your executive network and open up new career prospects.
💡 Innovation Career Hub | WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management
Discover innovative career paths in workshops and talks – from start-ups and entrepreneurship to German SMEs to hidden champions and impact companies – and gain new impetus for your professional future.
Whether it's starting a career, changing careers or taking the next step into a leadership role – the Future Career Festival combines inspiration, recruiting and networking in one day.
Who is the festival for?
Students, graduates, young professionals, experienced specialists and managers as well as international talents are welcome.
Whether you are already working in Germany, planning your career entry or are interested in the future of work – here you will meet employers who actively promote innovation, cultural diversity and international perspectives.
Be part of it.
In the coming weeks, we will publish more speakers, employers and exciting festival highlights.
Secure your Early Bird Ticket and shape the future of work together with us.
¹ The Future Career Festival (formerly Global Talent Career Festival) was launched in March 2026 and has since evolved into a platform for future skills, AI & innovation, leadership, and inclusive and international working environments. All festival sessions will be held in English or will be supported with English subtitles where appropriate. With our Global Talent Employer Award and our clear focus on cultural diversity and international talent, we remain one of the most inclusive career festivals for global talent in Germany.
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ENGLISH
Future Skills. Global Minds. Grow Together.
The future of work starts here.
Following a successful kick-off edition¹ in March 2026 with more than 280 participants and 10 forward-thinking employers – including Henkel, BASF, Infosys and the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), the Future Career Festival 2026 – Future Skills · Global Minds · Grow Together returns.
Look forward to an inspiring festival day filled with ideas, meaningful connections and inspiration around the most important Future of Work trends – including AI, innovation and inclusion. Whether you want to advance your career, gain new perspectives or expand your professional network, the Future Career Festival brings together top talent from Germany and around the world with forward-thinking and inclusive employers shaping the workplace of tomorrow.
Together with leading figures from business and politics – including Thomas Ogilvie (CHRO, DHL Group), Andrea Hendrickx (Country Head, Infosys Germany), Sebastian Dettmers (CEO, The StepStone Group), Stefan Geister (CSO, L'Oréal DACH), and Mona Neubaur (Deputy Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) – and our Festival Co-Host, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, you will gain exclusive insights, practical career inspiration and fresh perspectives on the future of work.
What can you expect?
Look forward to a varied festival day featuring inspiring keynotes, high-level panel talks, a Future of Work Career Expo, Career Coaching & Mentoring, the Global Talent Employer Award, and exclusive networking opportunities – spread across two festival locations situated directly next to each other.
🎤 Main Stage | Dr. Thompson's Soap Factory
Experience inspiring keynote speeches, expert panel discussions and engaging conversations on AI, innovation, global talent and inclusion. The programme also features the Future of Work Career Expo, Career Coaching & Mentoring, and the Global Talent Employer Award Ceremony.
👔 Leadership Career Lounge | WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management
(Leadership Lounge Ticket Required)
Join three exclusive Executive Networking Sessions (60 minutes each) and build meaningful connections with senior leaders from our festival partners while expanding your executive network and exploring new leadership opportunities.
💡 Innovation Career Hub | WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management
Discover innovative career paths through workshops and expert talks covering start-ups, entrepreneurship, German SMEs, Hidden Champions and impact-driven organisations, while gaining fresh inspiration for your professional future.
Whether you are starting your career, considering a career change or preparing for your next leadership role, the Future Career Festival brings together inspiration, recruiting and networking in one unique event.
Who should attend?
Students, graduates, young professionals, experienced specialists, executives and international talent are all warmly welcome.
Whether you are already working in Germany, preparing to start your career or simply interested in the future of work, you will meet employers who actively promote innovation, cultural diversity and international perspectives.
Join us.
Over the coming weeks, we will continue to announce additional keynote speakers, employers and exciting festival highlights.
Secure your Early Bird Ticket today and help shape the future of work with us.
¹ The Future Career Festival (formerly the Global Talent Career Festival) was launched in March 2026 and has since evolved into a platform dedicated to Future Skills, AI & Innovation, Leadership, and inclusive international workplaces. All festival sessions are held in English or, where appropriate, supported by English subtitles. Together with the Global Talent Employer Award and our strong commitment to cultural diversity and international talent, we continue to be one of Germany's most inclusive career festivals for global talent.
Main Stage
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Registration & Welcome
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:25 AM
Welcome by Festival Co-Initiators
Host: Mandy Yuman Sun
🕑: 09:25 AM - 09:35 AM
Festival Opening
Host: Mona Neubaur
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Industry Leader Keynote
Host: Sebastian Dettmers
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Panel Talk – Future-Proof Your Career in the AI Era
Host: Arooj Humayun
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Career Expo & Networking
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Break & Free Networking
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Industry Leader Keynote
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Parallel Programme Introduction & Participant Guidance
Host: Klaudia Wilde
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Panel Talk – Global Talent, Local Success: Building Global Careers in Germany
Host: Hanan Hallal
🕑: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Career Expo & Networking
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Talent Coaching Corner
🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:45 PM
Global Talent Employer Award Ceremony
Host: Prof. Dr. Pisitta Vongswadi
🕑: 05:45 PM - 06:00 PM
Closing Keynote
Host: Dr. Thomas Ogilvie
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:10 PM
Thank You & Festival Closing Remarks
Host: Mandy Yuman Sun
🕑: 06:10 PM - 07:00 PM
Festival Celebration
Leadership Career Lounge
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Leadership Career Lounge Welcoming
Host: Josef Hinkel
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Leadership Career Lounge – Networking Session 1
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Leadership Career Lounge – Networking Session 2
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Leadership Career Lounge – Networking Session 3
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Transition to Main Stage
Innovation Career Hub
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Hackathon & AI Challenge Opening + Challenge Briefing
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Panel Talk #3 – Career Opportunities in Start-ups in Rhein-Kreis Neuss
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Panel Talk #4 – Hidden Champions: Germany's Best-Kept Career Secret
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Panel Talk #5 – AI, Sustainability & Innovation
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Hackathon Pitch Session & Jury Evaluation
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Transition to Main Stage
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 19.90 to EUR 499.00
