PROGRAM BRAND GLOBAL SUMMIT 2025
BRANDS FOR THE FUTURE
October 15, 2025
Location: Austrian National Bank Vienna,
Format: Hybrid and in person
Language: English
| 9.00 - 10.00 | Check - in / Registration / Networking |
| Kassensaal | |
| 10.00 - 10.50 | WELCOME & OPENING BGS 2025 |
| Moderation: Jacqueline Knollmayr | |
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BRANDS FOR THE FUTURE The economic power of brands in global financial ecosystems, their value as intangible assets, their influence on policy, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. |
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| Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hrebicek, President European Brand Institute | |
| Dr. Gerd Müller, Director General UNIDO (tbc) | |
| Uni. Prof. Dr. Martin Kocher, Governor, Austrian National Bank OeNB (tbc) | |
| Karl Nehammer, Vice President European Investment Bank (tbc) | |
| Christian Wigand, Head of the European Comission Representation in Austria | |
| Christoph Biegelmayer, Chamber of Commerce Vienna |
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10.50 - 11.30 |
Digital Technologies & Ai driving BRANDS FOR THE FUTURE |
| Moderation & Impulse: Laszlo Lukacs, CEO Cognitive Creators | |
| Title: AI-& digitally Powered Brand Economies: Data, Decision-Making & Market Value Digital & AI is transforming how brands build equity, predict markets, and drive financial value | |
| Mag. Patricia Kasandziev, C- Level financial industry digital expert | |
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Karin Kafesie, Head of Commuication, internal Cooperation & Collaboration, Vienna Insurance Group |
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| Mag. Christoph Schuh, Head of Communications Austrian Power Grid | |
| Representative Borealis (tbd) | |
| Representative UNIDO (tbd) | |
| 11.30 - 12.00 | Best Practice Cases - Global Brands & Sustainability |
| Mag. Pascal Sperger, PR & Product Manager BYD | |
| Representative WorldCom Group (tbd) | |
| Representative CARMA, UAE (tbd) | |
| 12.00 - 12.50 |
Special Focus - Global Brands & Sustainability |
| Moderation & Impulse: Prof. Dr. Weixi Gong, Chair Board of Directors, William International Investment | |
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EU - Collaboration: Investment, Innovation, Initiatives for international Brand Growth Exploring cross-border brand investment, innovation hubs for a more connected economic future and the rise of new financial centers.
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| China | |
| Tienan Li, President, China Standard Conformity Assessment Company (CSCA) | |
| Zhang Zuo, General Manager Hainan Airlines Austria (tbc) | |
| Christian Pirkner, CEO Blue Code International AG | |
| Delegate China Council for Brand Development /China National Brand (tbd) | |
| Middle East | |
| Mag. Michael Otter, Head of Advantage Austria (tbc) | |
| Feras Al Shawaf, Managing Partner Feras Al Shawaf Law Firm, Saudi Arabia (tbc) | |
| UNIDO Best Practice Project | |
| Farrukh Alimdjanov, Industrial Development Officer, UNIDO | |
| Best Practice UNIDO Regional Brand Project |
| 12.50 - 13.50 | Lunch Break |
| 13.50 - 14.40 | BRANDS FOR THE FUTURE - Innovative Financing, Brand Investment & New Financing Models |
| Moderation: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hrebicek, President, European Brand Institute | |
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How intangible asset investment, decentralized finance models and tokenization are shaping the next generation of brand financial markets. |
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| Dr. Cornelius Boersch, Founder, CEO & Executive Chairman of the Board Mountain Partners | |
| Baybars Altuntas, Chairman World Business Angel Investment Forum | |
| How Brands contribute to access of finance and financial inclusion | |
| Herbert Kovar, Managing Partner Tax & Legal Deloitte Österreich | |
| Prof. (FH) MMMag. Dr. Stephan Klinger, Senior Expert Counsel LGP Lawyers | |
| 14.40 - 15:20 | Roundtable: Responsible Leadership |
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This roundtable explores how women-led and mixed leadership teams enhance brand value, financial performance, and ESG outcomes, while addressing challenges and opportunities.
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| Dr. Christine Catasta, Supervisory Board Member Erste Group Bank AG | |
| Mag. Gertrud Götze, Member of the Management Board, VP Human Resources, T-Systems Austria | |
| Dr. Gabriela-Maria Straka, ESG- Expert and Board Member respAct Austria, Editor-in-chief MANZ | |
| Mario Hübler, or Michael Sigmund, study author OeNB (tbd) | |
| OeNB Study: „Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Do Female Directors Boost Firm Performance? “ | |
| amongst others | |
| 15.20 - 16.00 | Future - Proof Leadership: Women, Finance & Inclusive Brand Economies |
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A dynamic conversation about women as transformative financial leaders, the benefits of diverse brand leadership, and joint financing strategies. |
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| Dr. Marietta Babos, Founder Damensache | |
| Aysegül Gökce Baykal, Director Schoellerbank | |
| Hawa Kebe, UNIDO | |
| Yulia Stark, President of the European Women's Association (EWA) | |
| amongst others | |
| 16:00 | Closing Remarks Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hrebicek, President, European Brand Institute |
Program subject to change
October 15, 2025
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VIENNA BRAND GALA Cocktail Reception hosted by the Mayor and Governor of Vienna Dr. Michael Ludwig Location: Vienna City Hall - Festsaal 7.00 pm - 11.00 pm Invitation only! |
Program subject to change
