Program ‘25

Europe must grow up, take an independent position between the global power blocs and assume responsibility. With half a billion people, a high level of prosperity and strong social peace, Europe has the prerequisites for this. But this prosperity is based on a functioning infrastructure.

Yes, there are challenges: tariffs, recessions, geopolitical tensions. We are experiencing instability. But between these turbulences, the real, lasting changes are taking place: the four big Ds – demographics, decentralisation, digitalisation and decarbonisation. They are driving unstoppable change and determining the future of our society. At the heart of this society: the municipalities and their infrastructure.

Our speakers, all of whom are decision-makers and experts in various fields, will provide new impetus, approaches and outlooks. You can find out more in the KOMMUNALE SOMMERGESPRÄCHE 2025 program.

Program `25

Shaping the future. Let’s move the process together.

Thursday, 8/28/25 09:30
- Intro
- Meinrad Knapp
Topic

What’s actually going on?
Speaker
- Meinrad Knapp
  
  Moderation
Thursday, 8/28/25 09:35
- Opening
- Erwin Dirnberger
- Sebastian Firlinger
- Johannes Pressl
- Thomas Schönauer
Topic

A warm welcome. The 4D Formula.

Why demographics, decentralization, digitalization & decarbonization will determine our future.
Speaker
- Erwin Dirnberger
  
  Vice President Austrian Association of Municipalities, President Styrian Association of Municipalities, Mayor Söding-St. Johann (Styria)
- Sebastian Firlinger
  
  Interim CEO Kommunalkredit
- Johannes Pressl
  
  President of the Community Association & Mayor of Ardagger (NÖ)
- Thomas Schönauer
  
  Bürgermeister Bad Aussee (ST)
Thursday, 8/28/25 09:55
- Impulse
- Jacques Ripoll
Topic

From megatrends to milestones. Financing the infrastructure europe needs.

In response to megatrends, the financial sector plays a pivotal role in mobilising capital and structuring investment frameworks that deliver the infrastructure Europe urgently needs.
Speaker
- Jacques Ripoll
  
  Designated CEO Kommunalkredit
Thursday, 8/28/25 10:15
- Impulse
- Christian Lindner
Topic

The role of the state. Enabling infrastructure for the future.

How public policy, legal frameworks and financing strategies can unlock sustainable infrastructure development.
Speaker
- Christian Lindner
  
  Former Federal Minister of Finance, former Federal Chairman of the FDP (Germany)
Thursday, 8/28/25 10:45
- Impulse
- Paal Weberg
Topic

Die Rolle des privaten Kapitals. Grüne Transformation 2.0: Treiber der Reindustrialisierung Europas.

Die Rolle des privaten Kapitals beim Aufbau
wettbewerbsfähiger grüner Industrien.
Speaker
- Paal Weberg
  
  Managing Partner bei ALTOR
Thursday, 8/28/25 11:05
- Break & Networking
Topic

Break & networking
Thursday, 8/28/25 11:25
- Impulse
- Peter Filzmaier
Topic

The role of democratic society. Shaping infrastructure with and for communities.

Are rural areas dying out? How demographic shifts and civic participation shape the rural regions.
Speaker
- Peter Filzmaier
  
  Political scientist & Head of the Institute for Strategic Analysis
Thursday, 8/28/25 11:45
- Demographics
- Discussion
- Hans Aubauer
- Peter Filzmaier
- Felix Lill
- Winfried Pinggera
- Johannes Pressl
- Michael Santer
Topic

We are dying out. Why we need to bridge the age gap.

The population is ageing, skilled labour is becoming scarce, rural areas are losing momentum. Social infrastructure, healthcare and life between the generations are becoming increasingly important.
Speaker
- Hans Aubauer
  
  Head Health Insurance UNIQA Insurance Group AG, Member Managing Board Mavie Holding GmbH
- Peter Filzmaier
  
  Political scientist & Head of the Institute for Strategic Analysis
- Felix Lill
  
  Journalist (Moderation)
- Winfried Pinggera
  
  Director General PVA – Pensionsversicherungsanstalt
- Johannes Pressl
  
  President of the Community Association & Mayor of Ardagger (NÖ)
- Michael Santer
  
  Head of Markets Kommunalkredit
Thursday, 8/28/25 12:30
- Digitalization
- Discussion
Topic

Rethinking digitalization and energy. Are we still too analogue in the digital world?
Thursday, 8/28/25 13:15
- Break & Networking
Topic

Lunch break & networking
Thursday, 8/28/25 14:15
- Decentralization
- Discussion
- Marcel Haraszti
- Thomas Hofer
- Harald Schumacher
- Ralph Spiegler
- Thomas Wilfling
Topic

Rethinking infrastructure. How to make Europe resilient again.

Regional value creation, location optimisation and decentralised energy supply not only strengthen competitiveness, but also stability. Is PPP back in vogue?
Speaker
- Marcel Haraszti
  
  Board Member REWE International AG
- Thomas Hofer
  
  Political Analyst
- Harald Schumacher
  
  Editor Wirtschaftswoche Germany (Moderation)
- Ralph Spiegler
  
  President German Association of Cities and Municipalities, Mayor Municipality Nieder-Olm (Rhineland-Palatinate)
- Thomas Wilfling
  
  Head of Credit Risk Management Kommunalkredit
Thursday, 8/28/25 15:00
- Decarbonization
- Discussion
- Horst Brandlmaier
- Christoph Güntner
- Stefan Hölbfer
- Daniel Nutz
- Leonhard Schitter
Topic

Are we forgetting the energy transition? What do the facts say?

Do we still need decarbonisation? Don’t we have other problems? Where do we start? Is hydrogen off the table?
Speaker
- Horst Brandlmaier
  
  Board Member OeMAG
- Christoph Güntner
  
  Structuring & Execution Kommunalkredit
- Stefan Hölbfer
  
  Senior Vice President Operations & Asset Management OMV
- Daniel Nutz
  
  Editor in Chief Börsianer (Economy Magazine | Moderation)
- Leonhard Schitter
  
  CEO Energie AG Oberösterreich
Thursday, 8/28/25 15:45
- Networking
Topic

Infra Networking Zone

Socialise in a relaxed atmosphere. The Networking Zone is a meeting point for exciting discussions, exchange of ideas and valuable connections. This is where the co-operation of tomorrow begins.
Thursday, 8/28/25 19:30
- Conclusion
Topic

Conclusion at the Blaa Alm
Friday, 8/29/25 09:30
- Impulse
- Hermann Glettler
Topic

The role of the church. Cooperation over vacancy.

Inspiration for revitalising villages and town centres can emerge from new collaborations – including local faith communities. Their contribution to social cohesion offers valuable impulses for the future use of shared spaces.
Speaker
- Hermann Glettler
  
  Bischop of Innsbruck
Friday, 8/29/25 09:45
- Impulse
- Lukas Bachmann
Topic

The role of defence. Safety first.

Security is once again moving to the forefront of political and public attention. In this context, armed forces play a crucial role in strengthening
resilience, enhancing preparedness, and safeguarding European societies.
Speaker
- Lukas Bachmann
  
  Oberst des Generalstabsdienstes, Österreichisches Bundesheer
Friday, 8/29/25 10:00
- Impulse
- Alexander Pröll
Topic

Paradigm shift I: reclaiming strategic autonomy. Why protectionism is not a no-go for europe.

Infrastructure policy must adapt to a new global economic reality shaped by geopolitical shifts, supply chain reconfigurations, and the growing need for strategic autonomy.
Speaker
- Alexander Pröll
  
  State Secretary for Digitalization, Fight against Anti-Semitism, Public Service and Constitution
Friday, 8/29/25 10:15
- Impulse
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Topic

Paradigm shift II: geopolitics meets infrastructure – why strategic resilience starts locally now.

How international relations (with the USA) are being redefined from the ground up – not as a return to old alliances, but as a recalibration based on shared values, strategic interests, and global responsibility.
Speaker
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
  
  Chairman Spitzberg Partners LLC, former Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Germany
Friday, 8/29/25 11:00
- Break & Networking
Topic

Break & Networking
Friday, 8/29/25 11:30
- Impulse
- Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle
Topic

Paradigm shift III: innovation over overregulation. How europe can drive its future from within.

Why competitiveness, democracy and infrastructure depend on Europe’s ability to act – because only a capable and sovereign Europe can defend its values, drive innovation, and secure the investments needed for future prosperity.
Speaker
- Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle
  
  Politologin
Friday, 8/29/25 11:45
- Discussion
- Lukas Bachmann
- Hermann Glettler
- Meinrad Knapp
- Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Topic

European virtues. A plea for a new innovation policy.

The future belongs to those who have the courage to break new ground. An ambitious, participatory innovation policy is a key driver of economic growth and social welfare.
Speaker
- Lukas Bachmann
  
  Oberst des Generalstabsdienstes, Österreichisches Bundesheer
- Hermann Glettler
  
  Bischop of Innsbruck
- Meinrad Knapp
  
  Moderation
- Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle
  
  Politologin
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
  
  Chairman Spitzberg Partners LLC, former Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Germany
Friday, 8/29/25 12:45
- Conclusion
- Jacques Ripoll
- Johannes Pressl
Topic

Thank you & takeaway.
Speaker
- Jacques Ripoll
  
  Designated CEO Kommunalkredit
- Johannes Pressl
  
  President of the Community Association & Mayor of Ardagger (NÖ)
Friday, 8/29/25 13:00
- Break & Networking
Topic

Lunch break & networking

Speaker

Our Speaker 2025

They come from business, science and politics. They give insights and outlooks and share experiences and ideas. They are all united by the desire to make a difference.

Gerhard Christiner

Board of Directors Austrian Power Grid
Erwin Dirnberger

Vice President Austrian Association of Municipalities, President Styrian Association of Municipalities, Mayor Söding-St. Johann (Styria)
Helmut Fiedler

Colonel of the General Staff Service of the Federal Army
Peter Filzmaier

Political scientist & Head of the Institute for Strategic Analysis
Christian Lindner

Former Federal Minister of Finance, former Federal Chairman of the FDP (Germany)
Johannes Pressl

President of the Community Association & Mayor of Ardagger (NÖ)
Jacques Ripoll

Designated CEO Kommunalkredit
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Chairman Spitzberg Partners LLC, former Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Germany

Program ‘25

Shaping the future. Let’s move the process together.

What’s actually going on?

Meinrad Knapp

A warm welcome. The 4D Formula.

Erwin Dirnberger

Sebastian Firlinger

Johannes Pressl

Thomas Schönauer

From megatrends to milestones. Financing the infrastructure europe needs.

Jacques Ripoll

The role of the state. Enabling infrastructure for the future.

Christian Lindner

Die Rolle des privaten Kapitals. Grüne Transformation 2.0: Treiber der Reindustrialisierung Europas.

Paal Weberg

Break & networking

The role of democratic society. Shaping infrastructure with and for communities.

Peter Filzmaier

We are dying out. Why we need to bridge the age gap.

Hans Aubauer

Peter Filzmaier

Felix Lill

Winfried Pinggera

Johannes Pressl

Michael Santer

Rethinking digitalization and energy. Are we still too analogue in the digital world?

Lunch break & networking

Rethinking infrastructure. How to make Europe resilient again.

Marcel Haraszti

Thomas Hofer

Harald Schumacher

Ralph Spiegler

Thomas Wilfling

Are we forgetting the energy transition? What do the facts say?

Horst Brandlmaier

Christoph Güntner

Stefan Hölbfer

Daniel Nutz

Leonhard Schitter

Infra Networking Zone

Conclusion at the Blaa Alm

The role of the church. Cooperation over vacancy.

Hermann Glettler

The role of defence. Safety first.

Lukas Bachmann

Paradigm shift I: reclaiming strategic autonomy. Why protectionism is not a no-go for europe.

Alexander Pröll

Paradigm shift II: geopolitics meets infrastructure – why strategic resilience starts locally now.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Break & Networking

Paradigm shift III: innovation over overregulation. How europe can drive its future from within.

Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle

European virtues. A plea for a new innovation policy.

Lukas Bachmann

Hermann Glettler

Meinrad Knapp

Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

Thank you & takeaway.

Jacques Ripoll

Johannes Pressl

Lunch break & networking

Our Speaker 2025