Questions about the event? Contact us!
Date
October 6–7, 2026
Location
THE QVEST, CologneOn October 6 and 7, 2026, we welcomed a deliberately small circle of Chief Procurement Officers and Heads of Indirect Procurement to The Qvest in Cologne. The aim was depth of conversation, not size of audience — and the room delivered.
Senior representatives from AXA Konzern AG, Breuninger, Covestro, BÜFA, Swisscard, RheinEnergie, ERGO Group, Wabtec and others joined us, supported by EY and Hays.
Ideas collided, keynotes turned into debates, and the conversations continued over dinner at Em Hähnche and long after. Thank you to every speaker, sponsor and participant who made IPD26 what it was.
IPD27 will again be limited to a small circle. Pre-register now and be the first to hear about dates and seats.
Impressions from IPD26
You were there?
This way to reconnect and keep the conversation going.
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?
What made IPD26
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
- 6:15 PMBreak
Networking Break
- 6:30 PMFireside Chat
Leading Across Borders - What It Takes to Run Indirect Procurement Globally, With and Without AI
Lars Bettermann | Bridgestone Americas & EMEA
- 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
Constanze Luschnat | Engie & 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 brought more than theory: 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 turned vision into execution and shared what actually works.
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 IPD27 will continue 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
Constanze Luschnat
Chief Procurement Officer · Engie Deutschland
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
Lars Bettermann
Chief Procurement Officer · Bridgestone Americas & EMEA
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 played a key role in shaping a program that was relevant and impactful for every participant. Thank you, EY and Hays.
Save the date · IPD27
After IPD26 comes IPD27.
New topics, the same standard: a deliberately small circle of CPOs and Heads of Indirect Procurement, open conversations instead of vendor pitches. Seats will be limited again — pre-register now to be the first to hear about dates and programme, with priority access to tickets.
Pre-register for IPD27Venue & accommodation
IPD26 took 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 old town. Its blend of industrial heritage and contemporary elegance created exactly the setting we want for IPD: inspiring, memorable, and a little unexpected.
It's all about the people
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, IPD25 and IPD26 brought together procurement leaders shaping the future of indirect procurement, building momentum around learning, innovation, and cross-industry exchange. IPD27 will take 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 2027!
The IPD story so far