Date
October 6–7, 2026
Location
THE QVEST, Cologne
We're excited to welcome you to the apadua Indirect Procurement Days (IPD). A deliberately small circle of Chief Procurement Officers and Heads of Indirect Procurement, brought together for depth of conversation, not size of audience.
This year's circle already includes senior representatives from AXA Konzern AG, Breuninger, Covestro, BÜFA, Swisscard, RheinEnergie, ERGO Group, Wabtec and others — supported by EY and Hays.
Here, ideas collide, innovation flourishes, and the future of indirect procurement takes shape, among peers from across the DACH region who face the same decisions you do. Join us and contribute to shaping what's next for indirect procurement.
Just 45 seats available. Reserved for CPOs and Heads of Indirect Procurement.
Core topics
Core Topic 1
Indirect Procurement as a Strategic Driver
“Indirect Procurement isn't overhead, it's leverage.”
How do we earn a permanent seat at the table and prove we belong there?
Core Topic 2
AI in Procurement – From Pilot to Performance
“90% of CPOs are planning it. Fewer than 4 in 10 have moved beyond pilots.”
What separates the teams actually harvesting value from those still running POCs?
Core Topic 3
Procurement Experience – Make Buying Easy
“More expectations. Same budget. Fewer resources.”
Can procurement be both compliant and effortless?
Why attend
The right room, not just a full one.
Every seat belongs to someone facing the same decisions you are. No vendors pitching, no oversized audience to get lost in.
Insights you can use Monday morning.
Real cases, real numbers, from people who've actually done the work, not theory.
A network that outlasts the event.
The conversations that start here tend to continue long after October.
Agenda
Day 1 · 06.10.2026
- 1 PMNetworking
Arrival & Welcome Snacks
@The Qvest
- 2 PMOpening
Welcome to IPD26
Birte Rautenberg | Covestro · Gregory N. Vider & Markus Sinz | apadua
- 2:20 PMKeynote
From Start-Up to City Council: Leading Two Systems at Once
Lars Wolfram | talentsconnect
- 2:50 PMBreak
Networking Break
- 3:15 PMPanel
What Will Procurement Look Like in 5 Years?
moderated by Christian Buschhüter | EY · Panel: Yara Zimmermann, Dirk Nothhelfer, Oliver Elsner
- 3:45 PMBreak
Coffee Break
- 4:20 PMKeynote
Strategy Meets Reality: What Makes Procurement Transformation Work
Marc Scholten | Executive Advisor
- 4:50 PMBreak
Networking Break
- 5:15 PMWorld Café
Organization First, Technology Second: A World Café on the Organizational Prerequisites for AI in Procurement
Maximilian Stein | HandsOn
- 7 PMNetworking
Networking Dinner
@Em Hähnche
Day 2 · 07.10.2026
- 07:45 AMNetworking
Networking Breakfast
@The Qvest
- 09:00 AMOpening
Welcome Back
Gregory N. Vider & Markus Sinz | apadua
- 09:10 AMKeynote
Beyond the Price Tag: Rethinking Procurement's Impact
Konrad Auinger | AIM Procurement
- 09:40 AMBreak
Coffee Break
- 10:10 AMKeynote
Orchestrating Digital Transformation: People-Powered ★ Tech-Enabled
Birte Rautenberg | Covestro
- 10:50 AMWorkshop
How Do I Buy AI? The Next Frontier of Procurement: Category, Capability or Workforce?
Maximilian Simon | EY
- 10:50 AMWorkshop
Stop Bleeding Money: The Savings Hiding in Your Indirect Spend
Markus Sinz | apadua
- 11:25 AMBreak
Networking Break
- 11:40 AMKeynote
Are We Implementing Technology or Are We Genuinely Prepared to Change Procurement?
Björn Frese | EIGHTY4 Solutions
- 12:15 PMNetworking
Networking Lunch
@The Qvest
- 1:20 PMKeynote
Beyond Savings: How Indirect Procurement Creates Strategic Business Value
Roald Vink | BÜFA
- 1:55 PMWorkshop
From Bricks to Breakthroughs: Designing the (Indirect) Procurement Team of the Future
Dr.-Ing. Johannes Pohl | IU University of Applied Sciences
- 2:55 PMBreak
Coffee Break
- 3:30 PMPanel
The AI Efficiency Paradox: If We Are All Faster, Where Did the Value Go?
moderated by Claudio Mellace | Hays · Panel: Maximilian Stein, Birte Rautenberg, Gregory N. Vider
- 04:05 PMClosing
Wrap Up & Farewell
Gregory N. Vider & Markus Sinz | apadua
Speakers
At IPD26, our speakers bring more than theory, they bring deep expertise, hands-on experience, and the kind of real-world perspective that only comes from tackling procurement challenges every day. Through keynotes, interactive discussions, and practical case studies, they turn vision into execution and share what actually works.
This builds on what made IPD25 such a success: participants left with actionable strategies, fresh ideas, and the confidence to put insights straight into practice. Because when experts share openly, the whole community moves forward and IPD26 continues that momentum.
Birte Rautenberg
Head of Business Services Procurement · Covestro
Roald Vink
Lead Buyer Indirects · BÜFA
Konrad Auinger
Executive Interim Management für Einkauf, SCM & Operations · AIM Procurement
Dirk Nothhelfer
Head of Tactical and Operational Procurement · ERGO Group
Lars Wolfram
Co-Founder · talentsconnect
Yara Zimmermann
Senior Director Indirect Sourcing (Europe, Asia, Africa) · Wabtec
Maximilian Stein
Founder · HandsOn
Björn Frese
Interim Manager, Advisor & Implementer · EIGHTY4 Solutions
Marc Scholten
CPO & Procurement Transformation Executive
Claudio Mellace
Senior Director Strategic Accounts, Growth & Solutions · Hays
Johannes Pohl
Professor & Podcast Host · IU International University of Applied Science
Markus Sinz
Co-Founder · apadua
Christian Buschhüter
Director · EY
Gregory N. Vider
Co-Founder · apadua
Oliver Elsner
Head of Purchasing & Innovation · TOI TOI & DIXI Group
Maximilian Simon
Senior Manager Procurement · EY
Sponsors
The success of the Indirect Procurement Days has always been built together with strong sponsors. Their expertise and industry experience bring valuable perspectives to the event, turning IPD into a space for practical insights, inspiring dialogue, and real collaboration.
At IPD26, our sponsors once again play a key role in shaping a program that's relevant and impactful for every participant.
Tickets
Your ticket covers two full days at The Qvest, one of Cologne's most striking design hotels, housed in the city's former historic archive building, just minutes from the Rhine and the old town. It's both your venue and your home for the event, so there's no switching locations, no separate transfers, no logistics to figure out.
Simply arrive, settle in, and focus on what actually matters: the conversations, the connections, and the ideas shaping the future of indirect procurement.
Included in your ticket
- Overnight accommodation at The Qvest
- All meals across both days
- The networking dinner on Oct 6, 2026
Super Early Bird Ticket
€ 890 p.P.
Save 18% compared to regular fee
Early Bird Ticket
€ 990 p.P.
Save 9% compared to regular fee
Regular Ticket
€ 1.090 p.P.
Venue & accommodation
IPD26 takes place at The Qvest, one of Cologne's most striking design hotels. Housed in the city's former historic archive building, just minutes from the Rhine and the heart of the old town. Its unique blend of industrial heritage and contemporary elegance creates exactly the kind of setting we want for IPD: inspiring, memorable, and a little unexpected.
Both the conference venue and your overnight stay take place at The Qvest, so there's no need to switch locations, arrange separate transfers, or plan your day around checking in somewhere else. Accommodation is included in your ticket price.
Getting there
By train
- Köln Hauptbahnhof (main station): right in the city center, ~10 minutes by taxi to The Qvest.
- Köln Messe/Deutz: on the opposite bank of the Rhine, well connected via ICE and regional trains.
- Köln Ehrenfeld: a good option if you're arriving via regional connections from the west.
By plane
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the closest airport, roughly 20–25 minutes from the venue by taxi or car. It's served by a wide range of European carriers.
By car
- Use the route link for the fastest way directly to The Qvest. Parking information will be shared closer to the event.
The apadua Indirect Procurement Days are, first and foremost, about people. From the welcome reception to the dinner party and dedicated networking sessions, every part of the event is built to spark real conversations and lasting professional relationships.
IPD24 and IPD25 brought together procurement leaders shaping the future of indirect procurement, building momentum around learning, innovation, and cross-industry exchange. Now, IPD26 takes that momentum further.
For further information, contact ipd@apadua.com or +49 221 6430 3472. We look forward to welcoming you at the apadua Indirect Procurement Days 2026!
The IPD story so far