Podcast HANNOVER MESSE Daily – Episode 5
Dr Gunther Kegel & Dr Jochen Köckler on AI Momentum, Industry Confidence and What Comes Next
In the final episode of HANNOVER MESSE Daily, two of the fair’s leading voices reflect on a week shaped by innovation, uncertainty and industrial ambition. Guests are Dr Gunther Kegel, Chairman of the HANNOVER MESSE Exhibitors’ Advisory Board, and Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG. Their assessment offers a concise picture of where the fair and the industry currently stand—and where they may be heading next.
Industrial AI Has Arrived
Dr Gunther Kegel sees this year’s fair as the next chapter of Industry 4.0. Digitalization laid the foundation—now artificial intelligence is reaching the shop floor. From advanced robotics to natural-language machine interfaces, physical AI is beginning to reshape industrial environments in practical ways.
A Strong Fair in Challenging Times
Despite geopolitical tensions, transport strikes and economic uncertainty, Dr Jochen Köckler describes HANNOVER MESSE 2026 as a strong and successful edition. New concepts such as the Center Stage, masterclasses and a redesigned floor plan were well received by exhibitors and visitors alike.
Quality Over Quantity
Köckler emphasizes that the real metric of success is visitor quality. Decision-makers from key markets including the United States, Japan and Korea came to Hannover in search of concrete solutions, partnerships and new business opportunities.
Europe’s Next Chapter
Looking ahead to 2027, Köckler highlights Spain as partner country and sees a growing need for a stronger European industrial narrative—focused on competitiveness, energy transition and strategic cooperation in a changing global economy.
Number of the Day
2,000 speakers appeared across HANNOVER MESSE stages throughout the week—proof that trade fairs today are not only marketplaces, but platforms for ideas, dialogue and real-world connection.
The podcast is hosted by Kathy Günther and Christian Buchholz of DUP UNTERNEHMER, the podcast is produced by DUP Media GmbH on behalf of HANNOVER MESSE.
Podcast HANNOVER MESSE Daily – Episode 4
Kathrin Schmidt & Dr. Pablo Erat on AI in Practice, Startup Power and the Future of Manufacturing
Episode 4 of HANNOVER MESSE Daily explores how innovation becomes industrial reality. Guests are Kathrin Schmidt, Global Director HANNOVER MESSE, and Dr. Pablo Erat, Director of LightSpray at On. Together, they discuss why AI, automation and startup collaboration are reshaping production—and how bold ideas can transform entire industries.
AI Moves from Concept to Measurable Value
Kathrin Schmidt explains that industry is shifting decisively from experimentation to implementation. AI-supported quality control, intelligent production systems and automated logistics are no longer future visions—they are becoming core elements of competitive manufacturing.
Why Startups Matter More Than Ever
Young companies are not just supplying fresh ideas—they are accelerating industrial change. HANNOVER MESSE gives startups a global platform to connect with corporates, investors, political delegations and media, helping turn innovation into scalable business partnerships.
Reinventing the Running Shoe
Dr. Pablo Erat presents LightSpray, On’s breakthrough production technology that replaces traditional shoe assembly with a fully automated spray-based process. The result: faster production, lower waste, shorter supply chains and premium performance products made closer to the customer.
Lessons for Every Industry
Erat’s message reaches far beyond sportswear: think in systems, design for scale early, move before conditions are perfect, and build cultures where experimentation is encouraged. Technology matters—but people and mindset decide who leads.
Number of the Day
1,000 sessions take place during the trade show week. Hall 11 is the key destination for innovation, research and startups.
The podcast is hosted by Kathy Günther and Christian Buchholz of DUP UNTERNEHMER, the podcast is produced by DUP Media GmbH on behalf of HANNOVER MESSE.
Podcast HANNOVER MESSE Daily – Episode 3
Hubertus von Monschaw & Marco Stefanini on Energy, Humanoid Robots and AI Competitiveness
Episode 3 of HANNOVER MESSE Daily focuses on two forces set to redefine industrial competitiveness: next-generation energy systems and humanoid robotics. Guests are Hubertus von Monschaw, Global Director HANNOVER MESSE, and Marco Stefanini, Founder and Global CEO of Stefanini Group. Together, they explore how innovation is moving from concept to large-scale industrial reality.
Humanoid Robots Enter the Factory
Hubertus von Monschaw describes a clear shift in robotics: humanoid machines are moving beyond research labs and into real manufacturing environments. Powered by physical AI, they can interact with surroundings, support logistics and reshape production processes on the shop floor.
Why Energy Strategy Is Now Business Strategy
Rising energy costs and global competition are forcing companies to rethink their industrial systems. Reliable supply, efficiency and sustainability are no longer side issues—they are core drivers of growth and resilience. HANNOVER MESSE places these questions at the center of today’s agenda.
AI That Cuts Costs and Improves Output
Marco Stefanini explains how artificial intelligence is already helping manufacturers optimize consumption, predict failures and improve productivity. In heavy industry, AI-driven energy management can deliver measurable savings while increasing operational control.
Modernization Without Disruption
For companies running legacy systems, Stefanini recommends a layered approach: modernize step by step, begin with high-impact use cases, prove ROI quickly, then scale. The real challenge, he argues, is not technology—but leadership mindset.
Number of the Day
7,000 products and innovations are on display at HANNOVER MESSE 2026, alongside hundreds of research projects.
The podcast is hosted by Kathy Günther and Christian Buchholz of DUP UNTERNEHMER, the podcast is produced by DUP Media GmbH on behalf of HANNOVER MESSE.
Podcast HANNOVER MESSE Daily – Episode 2
Carolin Illig & Oliver Steil on Automotive Change, Industrial Security and AI at Scale
Day two of HANNOVER MESSE Daily turns to two defining forces reshaping industry: mobility transformation and industrial resilience. Guests on this episode are Carolin Illig, Global Director HANNOVER MESSE, and Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer. Together, they outline how technology, geopolitics and competitiveness are converging across sectors.
Reinventing Automotive Industry
Carolin Illig explains how the automotive sector is being rebuilt—from electrification and software-defined vehicles to smarter factories and more resilient supply chains. HANNOVER MESSE, she notes, has become the place where these shifts move from strategy into implementation.
Security Means Production Capacity
A second major theme is industrial readiness in a changing geopolitical environment. The focus is not weapon systems, but manufacturing capability: automation, traceability, digital production and the ability to scale output rapidly when needed.
TeamViewer: Beyond Remote Access
Oliver Steil describes how TeamViewer has evolved from connectivity software into a broader platform for digital workplaces, workflow automation and AI-driven productivity. The goal: delivering the right data to the right people at exactly the right moment.
Formula One as Innovation Lab
TeamViewer’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One shows how performance technology works under maximum pressure. Real-time data, flawless connectivity and measurable ROI make Formula One a testing ground for solutions later used in industry.
Number of the Day
More than 300 delegations from business, politics and international institutions are attending HANNOVER MESSE 2026.
The podcast is hosted by Kathy Günther and Christian Buchholz of DUP UNTERNEHMER, the podcast is produced by DUP Media GmbH on behalf of HANNOVER MESSE.
Podcast HANNOVER MESSE Daily – Episode 1
Dr. Jochen Köckler on AI, Brazil and Industrial Momentum
The world’s leading industrial trade fair is underway — and with it, the launch of HANNOVER MESSE Daily, the official podcast of the week. In Episode 1, Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG, sets the tone with a strategic outlook on the key themes shaping this year’s event.
From AI Vision to Industrial Reality
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond theory into real-world industrial application. From adaptive robotics to voice-controlled machinery, Köckler highlights a decisive shift: AI is now delivering measurable value on the factory floor.
Brazil in Focus
As partner country, Brazil represents a dynamic growth market with strong capabilities in renewable energy and a vibrant startup ecosystem—offering new opportunities for European industry in a changing global landscape.
What to Watch This Week
Key areas to explore at HANNOVER MESSE 2026:
• AI in Industry
• Hydrogen and energy systems
• Startups and next-generation innovation
Number of the Day
2,100 minutes of curated content on the Center Stage for the whole week underline the scale and ambition of this year’s program.
The podcast is hosted by Kathy Günther and Christian Buchholz of DUP UNTERNEHMER, the podcast is produced by DUP Media GmbH on behalf of HANNOVER MESSE.
Podcast Van
Record your podcast episode at HANNOVER MESSE!
The podcast van with integrated technology enables exhibitors to record their own podcast in 60 minutes right next to the Center Stage at HANNOVER MESSE.
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