ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025 in Essen - September 12th - 14th
DECARBONIZING TOMORROW
Essen/Ruhr - IAAG Annual Conference September 12th - 14th, 2025
Decarbonizing Tomorrow
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Decarbonization is not a choice; it is our only path forward. Decarbonization must shift from a long-term goal to a near-term strategy. From renewable energy to industrial transformation, we need scalable solutions. From finance to policy, every lever must be pulled, and fast. This is about survival, resilience, and justice for all. We must collaborate across borders, sectors, and ideologies. What we do in the next few years will define the next few centuries. Let this be the moment we stop delaying and start delivering. Together, we can turn ambition into action and secure a livable future.
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While we gather to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time, we also invite you to experience the city that hosts our mission. Essen is more than just a backdrop; it's a living example of transformation, resilience, and sustainable innovation.
🌿 So also: Explore Green. Discover Culture. Experience Essen!
Join us for an exciting weekend adventure in Essen. Come and discover one of the greenest cities in Germany, at the heart of the Ruhr region. Beautiful scenery from parks to art, culture and top-notch museums to industrial transformation and heritage at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein – Essen has it all!
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Our conference will kick off for Early Arrivals on Thursday afternoon, September 11th, and conclude on Sunday, September 14th, after lunch.​​
Program
Early Arrivals Program
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Let's meet at the Villa Hügel. We have organised a guided tour for you those arriving early. The Villa was home to the industrialist Krupp family from 1873 to 1945. With its 399 rooms, set in the middle of a 40-hectare park overlooking Lake Baldeney, it is far more than simply the residence of a famous entrepreneurial family – it is a symbol of the Age of Industrialisation in Germany.
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Guided tour
16:15 h - 17:45 h
Hügel 15, 42133 Essen
Meeting Point: Villa Hügel,
Large house, ground floor
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For ride sharing: 15:45 h
in front of the Sheraton/Essen
Dress code: casual
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Early Arrival Dinner:
19:30 h location tbd
Contributors
We are looking forward to inspiring sessions with the following contributors* to our Annual Conference 2025
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Goulnara Aguiar, EMBA’19Dec - Ormex*
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Rocio de la Cruz Garcia EMBA’21Jan - SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria*
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Sven Egenter, Clean Energy Wire
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Ivan Filippov, EMBA’11Dec*
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Stephen Guhr, AMP’09Oct - Vonovia*
as well as those who have contributed as organisers
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Olivier Bennett, MBA'11J
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Christopher Kainz, MAP'23Oct
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Huynjin (Rachael Kim), MFIN'13Sep/CGM'22
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Joost Schneider, MBA'98D
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​*Please revisit this page to follow our updates on speakers, panellists, and other contributors!
If you have any questions regarding the Annual Conference 2025, send an email to info@insead.de or phone 0151-72664258
Hotels & more
We chose two hotels close to each other, in order to make organisation smooth. Buses for transport needed for certain locations (Thyssen Krupp Steel Europe, Zeche Zollverein, Landgasthaus Schellenberg) will pick you up and drop you off at the following hotels: ​
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Sheraton Essen Hotel, Huyssenallee 55, 45128 Essen (12-minute-walk from Essen Main Station)
Located in the heart of Essen and within a green park, Sheraton Essen Hotel welcomes you to the center of the Ruhr metropolis. Not only is it an ideal business hotel in Essen, located near the train station and city center. Thanks to the convenient location in a park, you can enjoy green views of the city skyline from your room or suite. The vibrant Rüttenscheider Straße is only moments away. For those travelling by car, Sheraton Essen is a convenient hotel with parking in Essen. Please ensure you get one of the renovated rooms.
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Classic room
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Mercure Hotel Plaza Essen, Bismarckstr. 48 - 50 40128 Essen (1-minute-walk fromthe InterConti)
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The Mercure Plaza Essen is located near the Folkwang Museum. The Essen Fair and Gruga-Halle are just a few minutes' drive away. The hotel is eco-friendly and has 132 rooms with free WIFI. The train station is just 1 km away and can be reached quickly by U-Bahn.
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Superior room Deluxe room
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There are lots of other hotels in Essen. If booking one of these, please note: To join us at the venues, you will have to use either public transport, a taxi, walk on foot or join us at the Sheraton Essen Hotel or the Mercure Plaza Essen, where buses organized by us during the Conference will pick up and drop off our guests for rides to and from (Villa Hügel, Thyssen Krupp Steel Europe, Landgasthaus Schellenberg,
Zeche Zollverein, Margarethenhöhe
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We have not negotiated any prices as booking platforms or direct bookings at the hotels offer interesting rates or packages if you book well in advance.
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If you have any questions regarding the Annual Conference 2025, please contact
our office at info@insead.de or phone +49 151 7266 4258
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Packages
Information on Packages coming up here soon!
Annual Conference Ticket
Please get a ticket for each person attending!
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Thursday Early Bird Program - Villa Hügel & Dinner
members/non-members
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Full Conference Packages
(without accommodation):
1. Early Bird for members & partners/family (until June 1st)
2. Members & partners/family (after June 1st)
3. INSEAD Alumni Non-members & partners/family €
4. Young Alumni (MBA'21J-24D & MiM)& partner/family
members € /non-members €
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The Full Conference Packages include
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Friday morning: Company Visit **
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Friday Mingling & Lunch snacks at the Conference Center ThyssenKrupp Steel
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Friday afternoon - Conference Part I ***
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Friday Global INSEAD Day Gala Dinner at the Jagdhaus Schellenberg
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Saturday morning: Conference Part II *** Kesselhaus
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Saturday Lunch
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Saturday afternoon: Explore Zeche Zollverein & Scavenger Hunt
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Saturday Dinner INSEAD Style
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Sunday Explore the City: Margarethenhöhe or Folkwang Museum
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Farewell Lunch
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* not included in the Full Conference Packages!
** bus transfer from Sheraton/Mercure incl.
*** Coffee break incl.
We look forward to mingling with the Bulgarian Alumnae/i community. Therefore we offer special packages for Sofia-based Alumni/ae in addition to the other available tickets.
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5. Friday Only Ticket
Members & family/partners € /
Non-member & family/partners tbd€
The Friday-Only Ticket includes:
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Friday morning Tour Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe
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Friday Minging & Lunch snacks at the Conference Center ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe
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Friday afternoon Conference Part I***
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Global INSEAD Day Gala at the Jagdhaus Schellenberg
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6. Saturday Only Ticket
Members & family/partners €
Non-member & family/partners €
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The Saturday Only ticket includes
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Saturday morning - Conference Part II ***
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Saturday Lunch
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Saturday Explore Zeche Zollverein & the City I: Guided Tours/Scavenger Hunt
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Saturday Dinner INSEAD Style
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7. Sunday Only Ticket (children under 12 free)
Members & family/partners €
Non-member & family/partners €
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The Sunday Only Ticket includes
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Sunday Explore the City: guided tours Margarethenhöhe/Folkwang Museum
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Farewell Lunch
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8. Partner Ticket Global INSEAD Day Gala & Dance €
*** coffee break incl/** coffee break and lunch incl.
Members are welcome to bring family/partners/guests at membership rates. Member is a member of one of the National INSEAD Alumni Associations
Registration
Registration is open until September, 5th. Please download, and complete our registration form, and send it to the IAAG Office via e-mail, fax, or mail. Please read the below information carefully.
Cancellation and cancellation fees: 50% until September 1st, after that 100%. Replacement by another participant is generally possible.
Travelling to Essen: Essen can be reached within a few hours by train from all mayor German cities. Book train tickets and accommodation early to profit from better rates!
If you have any questions regarding the Annual Conference, please get in touch with our office at info@insead.de, Tel.:+49 (0) 151 7266 4258
The Organizing Team
​The Organizing Team is looking forward to seeing you in Essen
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Volker Bay Joost Schneider Christopher Kainz Olivier Bennett
TGM F/A'13Feb MBA'98D MAP'23Oct MBA'11J
Map & Directions