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
 

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.

  Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hrebicek, President European Brand Institute
  Dr. Gerd Müller, Director General UNIDO (tbc)
   
  Mag. 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

 

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
  Karin Kafesie, Head of Commuication, internal Cooperation & Collaboration, Vienna Insurance Group
  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 
 

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.

  

  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
 

How intangible asset investment, decentralized finance models and tokenization

are shaping the next generation of brand financial markets.

   
  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
 

This roundtable explores how women-led and mixed leadership teams enhance brand value,

financial performance, and ESG outcomes, while addressing challenges and opportunities.

 

  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
   
 

A dynamic conversation about women as transformative financial leaders, the benefits of diverse

brand leadership, and joint financing strategies.

   
  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

 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 


Our partners


EUROPEAN BRAND INSTITUTE

Börsegasse 9/8

1010 Vienna

Tel.:  +43 1 532 1000 23

Fax.: +43 1 352 1000 30

Mail: office@europeanbrandinstitute.com

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