Agenda

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Days
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HOUrs
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MinUTES
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SecONDS
Speeches, Panels & Career Events

From Uncertainty to Opportunity – Strategies to Secure Financial Growth

Below you'll find the preliminary schedule of the WHU New Year's Conference 2026. Any schedule gaps will be filled with networking breaks. Unless stated otherwise, all events listed on the agenda will take place in the Congress Hall.

Interviews, workshops, and exclusive events will take place parallel to the main agenda. Please check your email inbox for information regarding these events.

January 14, 2026

08:15
 – 
09:30
Check-In
09:30
 – 
10:00
Coffee Break
Take a break and connect over a freshly brewed cup of coffee
10:00
 – 
10:15
Opening Note
By the Campus for Finance – WHU New Year's Conference 2026 Team
10:15
 – 
11:00
Keynote Speech: Dr. Markus Schenck
Co-Head of Investment Banking DACH, Lazard
11:00
 – 
11:15
Coffee Break
Take a break and connect over a freshly brewed cup of coffee
11:15
 – 
12:15
Panel Discussion
To be announced
12:15
 – 
13:30
Lunch
Enjoy our lunch buffet in the Congress Hall
13:30
 – 
14:15
Keynote Speech
To be announced
14:15
 – 
14:30
Coffee Break
14:30
 – 
15:15
Keynote Speech: Jürgen Stock
Former Secretary-General of Interpol
15:15
 – 
18:00
Career Fair
Get ready to network with our sponsors
18:00
 – 
18:15
Break
Kick off the evening with refreshing drinks and inspiring conversations in the Vaulted Cellar
18:15
 – 
19:00
Aperitif
Kick off the evening with refreshing drinks and inspiring conversations in the Vaulted Cellar
19:00
 – 
20:00
Flying Dinner
Refuel and network over a delicious flying dinner
20:00
 – 
20:15
Break
20:15
 – 
23:00
Casino Night
Round off the first day with our Casino Night

January 15, 2026

10:00
 – 
10:45
Breakfast
Get ready for the day with a delicious brunch in the Congress Hall
10:45
 – 
11:30
Keynote: Gerold Grasshoff
Senior Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
11:30
 – 
12:30
Panel Discussion
To be announced
12:30
 – 
12:45
Coffee Break
Take a break and connect over a freshly brewed cup of coffee
12:45
 – 
13:30
Keynote: Dietrich Becker
Partner & President, Parella Weinberg Partners
13:30
 – 
14:30
Lunch & Learn: Sir James Leigh-Pemberton
Chairman of the Council, Duchy of Lancaster
14:30
 – 
15:30
Panel Discussion
Eyk Henning (Bloomberg), Thorsten Zahn (J.P. Morgan), Eva Maria Wiecko (Rothschild), Stefan Maassen (Deutsche Börse), Oliver Seiler (Latham & Watkins LLP)
15:30
 – 
16:00
Coffee Break
Take a break and connect over a freshly brewed cup of coffee
16:00
 – 
17:00
Panel Discussion
Caroline Pötsch-Hennig (J.P. Morgan), Franz Weis (Comgest Gobal Investors), Dr. Frank Engels (Union Asset Management Holding AG)
17:00
 – 
17:15
Break
17:15
 – 
18:15
Keynote: Harald Christ - The Symbiosis of Private and Public Capital
Chairman, Christ Capital
18:15
 – 
18:45
Closing Note
to be announced
18:45
 – 
19:00
Final Remarks From the Team
19:00
 – 
21:45
Gala Dinner
Savor a three-course meal and indulge in conversations to reflect on the event’s highlights
21:45
 – 
22:00
Shuttle Transfer
Shuttle service from the congress hall to the after party location
22:00
 – 
02:00
After Party
Round off the conference over drinks and music. Your transfer back can happen at any time.
LOCATION
LOCATION

Stadthalle (Congress Hall) Vallendar

The WHU New Year's Conference 2026 will take place in Vallendar's very own Congress Hall, which is situated right next to the campus of WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (walking distance of 2 minutes).

An image of the congress hall in Vallendar
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