7TH EXECUTIVE SUMMIT – BRINGING GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTISE TOGETHER IN MICHIGAN

September 23–24, 2026 | Troy, Michigan, USA

Two days, nine countries, 58 executives and industry experts. One shared focus: the future of automotive.

The 7th Executive Summit, held on September 23–24, 2026, in Troy, Michigan, once again brought together an exceptional international group of automotive leaders, technology experts, OEM representatives, and industry professionals.

With participants from China, the United States, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Romania, and Italy, the Summit reflected the truly global nature of today's automotive industry. With the event almost sold out, the strong level of participation also demonstrated the continued value of bringing decision-makers together in an environment built around knowledge, innovation, and personal exchange.

Where Technology Meets Executive Perspective

The outstanding quality of the 7th Executive Summit was driven not only by the breadth of topics, but above all by the exceptional expertise of the speakers.

Each speaker brought a high level of deep, specialized knowledge and first-hand experience to the Summit. The presentations were not limited to general trends or high-level observations. Instead, participants were given detailed insights, practical perspectives, new developments, and exclusive information that allowed them to gain a much deeper understanding of the topics discussed.

The speakers also distinguished themselves through the quality and uniqueness of their presentations. Complex subjects were presented in a clear, engaging, and highly professional way, making even challenging technological developments accessible and relevant to the audience.

This combination of deep expertise, exclusive content, and outstanding presentation quality created a significant benefit for every participant. The feedback made it clear that attendees greatly valued the opportunity to learn directly from experts who were able to share knowledge and insights that are not easily accessible in this depth elsewhere.

The result was two days filled with high-value content, meaningful discussions, and genuine knowledge transfer — giving every participant the opportunity to take new ideas, insights, and practical perspectives back to their own organizations.

Artificial Intelligence Takes Center Stage

One of the clear highlights of the Summit was Artificial Intelligence.

The AI sessions were deliberately designed to go beyond the usual introductory discussions. Participants were given access to exclusive and in-depth perspectives on AI and its potential impact on the automotive value chain.

The strong response to these sessions highlighted the growing importance of AI for technicians, engineers and executives across the industry. More importantly, the discussions demonstrated that AI is no longer simply a technology topic — it is increasingly connected to business models, processes, products, competitiveness, and the future direction of the automotive sector.

Direct Insights from the OEM World

The presence of two leading OEMs — Ford Motor Company and General Motors (GM) — added another important dimension to the Summit.

Ford's contribution brought valuable perspectives directly from the manufacturer side and complemented the technology-focused presentations throughout the program. The input from Ford Motor Company was highly appreciated by participants and provided an opportunity to connect technological developments with real-world automotive challenges and requirements.

The combination of OEM perspectives, technology expertise, and international industry experience created particularly valuable discussions throughout the breaks and the networking reception.

Thinking Outside the Box

Innovation was not limited to technologies alone. The Summit also highlighted the importance of new ideas and unconventional approaches.

A special highlight was the contribution of Frank Schieck from Fraunhofer Institute IWU, whose capabilities and concepts encouraged participants to look beyond established approaches and explore possibilities outside the traditional boundaries of the automotive industry.

The “think outside the box” approach resonated strongly with participants and reflected one of the core characteristics of the Executive Summit: creating a space where new ideas can be discussed openly, critically, and without limitations.

The Value of Getting Together

Technology and presentations are only one part of the Executive Summit. The other is people.

Participants repeatedly highlighted the value of having sufficient time and space for networking — not only during the official program, but also in the evening, when conversations could continue in a more relaxed environment.

The opportunity to sit together, exchange experiences, discuss challenges, question ideas, and develop new perspectives created connections that go beyond the formal agenda.

A particular highlight was the Networking Reception hosted by NBS. We would like to sincerely thank the entire NBS team for their outstanding hospitality and for providing such a welcoming setting for an evening of international networking and informal exchange.

These personal interactions are an essential part of what makes the 7th Executive Summit unique.

A Truly Global Automotive Community

Looking back at the two days, one message became clear: the 7th Executive Summit successfully covered the key areas that are currently relevant to the automotive sector.

From new technologies and Artificial Intelligence to OEM perspectives, innovative ideas, industry developments, and practical insights, the program provided participants with a comprehensive picture of the current automotive environment.

What made the Summit particularly valuable was the combination of breadth and depth. Participants did not simply receive an overview of what is happening in the industry — they were given the opportunity to understand why developments matter, how technologies are evolving, and what opportunities they may create.

The feedback confirmed that participants appreciated the relevance, depth, exclusivity, variety, and exceptionally high quality of the presentations. Above all, the knowledge and expertise shared by the speakers created a tangible benefit for everyone attending. That diversity of experience is one of the greatest strengths of the Executive Summit.

Thank You to Those Who Made It Possible

An event of this scale and international character is only possible through the commitment of strong partners.

Our sincere thanks go to Fraunhofer USA for their outstanding support and for coordinating the many organizational details on site. Their commitment and professionalism were instrumental in making the event a success.

We would also like to thank the entire Automation Alley team for once again providing exceptional support and for welcoming us so warmly. The venue and the team's hospitality created an excellent environment for two days of intensive discussions, presentations, and networking.

We would also like to thank NBS for hosting the Networking Reception and creating the perfect atmosphere for continuing the conversations beyond the conference room.

Special thanks to all speakers for sharing their exceptional expertise, to all participants for their active engagement, and to everyone who contributed to making the 7th Executive Summit such a successful event.

Looking Ahead

The 7th Executive Summit demonstrated once again what happens when international expertise, new technologies, OEM perspectives, and open-minded people come together.

With highly relevant automotive topics, exclusive AI insights, innovative technologies, and countless opportunities for personal exchange, the Summit created a valuable platform for understanding where the industry is heading — and for shaping the conversations around it.

But perhaps the most important takeaway is simple:

The future of automotive is not shaped by technology alone. It is shaped by the people who bring ideas together, challenge established thinking and create new connections.

Thank you to all participants, speakers, partners, hosts, and everyone who contributed to making the 7th Executive Summit 2026 such a memorable and successful event.

We look forward to continuing the journey — together.