Networking

Networking is an essential part of the Summit programme. In 2019, join ministers, industry leaders, heads of international organisations, top researchers and civil society representatives at the Presidency Reception hosted by the Republic of Korea and the Gala Dinner. 

Please reserve your place during registration.

Presidency Reception hosted by the Republic of Korea, Wednesday 22 May, 18:30, Glass Hall

The Presidency Reception is the opening networking event for all Summit participants.   

The Cosmic Artists Airtrack Show, Thursday 23 May, 18:50, Foyer of the Glass Hall

Cultural Performance organized by Saxony

Spectacular, dynamic, versatile and unique, this is the short but most accurate description for this act performed by the Cosmic Artists. This firework of artistic jumps surprises over and over again with spectacular combinations, dance and acrobatics of the former Cirque du Soleil artists.

Gala Dinner, Thursday 23 May, 19:00, Glass Hall

Cocktail reception from 18:00 in the exhibition area hosted by the International Transport Forum and ViaVan

The Gala Dinner is a not-to-be-missed part of the Summit for all Summit participants held in the Glass Hall next to the Congress Center Leipzig. 

This festive evening starts in the exhibition area with a Cocktail reception before moving to the Glass Hall where the delegates are welcomed for a seated 3-course dinner in a warm and convivial atmosphere. Coffee and dessert bars are laid out as an inviting option for networking and the dance floor with lounge and dance music concludes the evening.

Summit participants are offered off-site technical tours as part of the 2019 Summit programme.

Technical tours incur a fee of 25 Euros per tour. Please note that while the tours are scheduled for 1.5 hours, due to logistics and travel times they may take up to 2 hours.

Please reserve your place during registration.

Amazon

Thursday 23 May, 12:45 – 14:15

Tour of the Amazon Fulfillment Center Leipzig

Welcome to Amazon Fulfilment Leipzig. Amazon has Fulfilment Centres, Customer Service Centres and offices across Europe. Each is growing steadily to meet the increasing demands of our customers, and we’re always looking for new locations to expand into as part of our wider strategy. Our Leipzig Fulfilment Centre is 75,000m², equivalent to 11 football pitches. You will get an overview about the logistical working environment of an Amazon fulfillment center here.  Please be aware that our colleagues will be working while you are visiting Amazon.  You will not need any kind of technical devices as it is not permitted to take pictures during the tour.  We will care for all your belongings while you conduct the tour. Please wear closed footwear and remain with your group during the tour.

BMW plant

Tuesday 21 May, 16:45 - 18:15 - for the delegates present in Leipzig on the Pre-Summit day
Wednesday 22 May, 16:45 – 18:15
Thursday 23 May, 9:00 – 10:30
Thursday 23 May, 12:45 – 14:15

Tour of BMW Group Plant, Leipzig

Up to 860 premium traditional BMW vehicles are produced at the Leipzig plant with the help of highly qualified employees and innovative production technology. Each BMW automobile is individually produced and tailor-made to the client's wishes and preferences. Several thousand parts in many different colours and sizes and thousands of production stages are necessary before the vehicle is ready to start what is often a long journey to the client.

Every traditional BMW vehicle built in Leipzig passes through the pressing plant, body shop, paint shop and assembly, and the sophisticated logistics system is vital to the whole production system. It takes less than 40 hours to build a BMW in Leipzig including rigorous quality checks.

In addition to traditional car production, the plant has its focus on the production of electric cars with CFRP lightweight bodies. The series production of the BMW i3 started in September 2013, while the sportive BMW i8 is in production since May 2014.

In total the BMW Group has invested over 2 billion Euros in the plant.

DHL Airfreight Hub

Wednesday 22 May, 21:00 – 00:00 
Wednesday 22 May, 21:30 – 00:30 

Tour of DHL Hub Leipzig

Officially opened for operations in May 2008, the DHL Hub Leipzig is DHL’s major European hub, offering myriad direct connections to the growing markets in Eastern Europe and Asia.

DHL invested a total of EUR 655 million in construction of the hub, which comprises 87.000 m² of operations’ facilities and a further 602.000m² for the fleet.

This visit includes the network control centre, one of the airside distribution centres, a hangar and fuel depot.

The DHL Hub Leipzig is an excellent example of logistics in action, with facilities that take into account both environmental and sustainability considerations. With some 65 aircraft movements every night, the nub processes up to 2000 tons of parcels and documents within a few hours to every part of the globe.

On the tour summit participants will see first-hand this state-of-the-art airfreight hub operating during exciting rush-hour conditions.

Please note the following:

• Presentation of an ID (ID card, driver´s licence, passport, etc.) at the facility is required
• Photography is not permitted during the visit
• Sturdy shoes and trousers are recommended.

Porsche plant

Thursday 23 May, 9:00 – 10:30
Thursday 23 May, 12:45 – 14:15

Tour of the Porsche factory

The Porsche factory in Leipzig incorporates the latest advances in car manufacturing to meet customers’ needs and expectations, where modern modular manufacturing allows flexible demand-orientated vehicle production. In close collaboration with well-established service providers, the production process can be dynamically adapted at any time to meet current requirements. Moreover, modular production improves quality as well as reducing costs.

Since August 2002, the Cayenne has been built in Leipzig, and between 2003 and 2006, the small series of the now legendary super sports car, the Carrera GT was produced here with a total quantity of 1270 cars.

Panamera, the fourth series outdoor four-seater sports coupé has been built at the Leipzig plant since 2009. Since June 2016 after an expansion of the Leipzig plant, the complete production of the Panamera occurs here.

In March 2011 Porsche made the decision to build the Macan, the fifth Porsche model line, in Leipzig. For the production of the Macan, Porsche has built a new factory unit including body and paint shops, which are operational since February 2014. So far, Porsche has invested about 1.3 billion euros in the Leipzig plant.

The tour of the factory will afford Summit participants an exclusive look behind the scenes of the factory.

All reservations are subject to the International Transport Forum's 2019 Summit General Terms and Conditions for Participation

Walking tour of Leipzig

One day prior to the official start of the Summit, delegates present in Leipzig are invited to a guided tour through the historical centre of the city. Leipzig has a great deal to offer and a walking tour through the historic centre is the best way to discover its most famous sights. After a walk in the old town, participants are offered a breath-taking view over the city from the Panorama Tower. 

Tuesday 21 May - two groups:

• Departure at 16:45 from Leipziger Messe and 17:00 from the city centre
• Departure at 18:00 from Leipziger Messe and 18:15 from the city centre

We will discover the numerous facets of Leipzig’s 1000-year history:

The tour starts from the famous crossing point of the old trade routes Brühl and Reichstraße, where you will follow in the footprints of one of the world’s oldest trading routes, then onto Richard Wagner’s birth place. We will cross the Katharinenstraße with its beautiful baroque buildings and visit Barthels Hof, one of the remaining baroque passages in Leipzig. From there, we will walk along the Klostergasse to the world famous St. Thomas Church, associated with classical composers such as Wagner, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, as well as Bach, its music director for 27 years.

Afterwards we pass another famous passage, Specks Hof, on the way to the St. Nicholas Church which rose to international fame with the 1989 Monday Demonstrations as part of the peaceful uprising against the communist regime. Our journey will end high above the Augustusplatz and Gewandhaus where you can enjoy the panoramic with a glass of local sparkling wine in your hand.

 * This tour is wheelchair-accessible.

The tour incurs a fee of 25 Euros. Please reserve your place during registration.

Bicycle tour with the Mayor of Leipzig 

Friday 24 May, from 13:30 to 16:00 approximately (free of charge)

The Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung, cordially invites the Summit delegates to join him on a cycle tour through Leipzig, where he will share his first-hand knowledge and personal views on the city.

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All reservations are subject to the International Transport Forum's 2019 Summit General Terms and Conditions for Participation.