The future of work is on everyone’s agenda. This event brings thought leaders together to share cutting edge ideas on the future, from both a people and technology perspective.
It will allow an understanding of the key drivers of change and enablers of innovation that will shape how, where and when work takes place. Our conference programme will explore future technologies, cutting edge award-winning workplaces and people, change and engagement within the workplace community.
We’ll start the day by gauging the biggest challenges shaping today’s workplaces, the barriers holding back progress, and the opportunities that lie ahead. This interactive session will set the stage for the day’s discussions, inspiring a collective drive toward innovation and meaningful change.
AI is transforming business at speed, but the real advantage lies in how people adapt and grow. This executive session explores how People Skills in Microsoft 365 Copilot, enhanced by the new Skills Agent, helps organizations build agility, close skill gaps, and future-proof their workforce. Learn how leaders can access real-time skill insights for smarter planning and how employees can discover expertise, connect, and upskill directly in the flow of work. With privacy and governance built in, see how to drive culture change and resilience at scale.
In this session, Orsolya will deep dive on the necessary paradigm shifts in how employers should source, develop and manage talent – as well as how the HR function needs to evolve to be able to drive this change. This data-backed presentation will leverage latest BCG research on talent preferences (2024 Decoding Global Talent study of 150,000 workers globally), showcase case studies in skill and people management from 40 leading companies, and leverage a study of 1000+ firms on re- and upskilling best practices.
The workplace has changed—so why are we still using old KPIs to measure success? This future-focused panel gathers bold thinkers from banking, pharma, tech, insurance, and aerospace to explore how high-performing companies are redefining what they measure and why. From ESG and DEI to digital transformation and hybrid culture, discover how these leaders are turning people data into strategic power. Expect practical insights, cross-functional takeaways, and a sharp debate on what matters most in the new world of work. If you measure anything in 2025, make it this.
Real Estate and Technology teams can partner to design connected workplaces which combine the latest collaboration technology with custom ergonomic furniture to support employees in connecting effectively – whether that’s in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid setting. Existing space offerings need adjustments to address today’s user demands and to utilise the power of the latest technology. We see a unique opportunity to design end-to-end solutions that significantly reduce real estate operating and AV technology costs while elevating the experience at work.
What drives performance in today’s workplace isn’t where we sit, but how well we’re supported. Based on the 2025 State of the Workplace Survey and fresh insights from leaders across industries, this session explores what really enables people to do their best work. Autonomy, the right tools, purposeful environments, and supportive policies matter more than presenteeism. As the office becomes just one of many enablers, we’ll look at how a “connected workplace” approach – blending hospitality, flexibility, technology, and human experience – is shaping the next chapter of productivity.
Modern offices rely on a range of independent systems and services, from occupancy and room booking to air quality monitoring and facility ticketing. But too often, these systems operate in isolation. The Akenza IoT platform unifies workplace data to optimize operations, cut costs, and make smarter use of your resources.
In a hybrid world, seamless collaboration depends on more than working technology — it demands visibility, control, and adaptability. In this short talk, I’ll share what we’ve learned from monitoring thousands of meeting spaces and digital workpoints across global enterprises. We’ll explore how combining Teams call data, asset-level telemetry, and automated workflows reveals not just faults — but usage patterns, support gaps, and missed opportunities. This isn’t just about tools. It’s about governance, trust, and making the workplace feel as reliable as home — without growing your IT team.
For decades, workplace security focused on keeping threats out with locks, guards, and barriers. But today, security is no longer just about protection — it’s about empowerment. Employees expect seamless access, visitors want clarity from invitation to entry, and organisations demand automated, intelligent processes. This panel explores the new face of security: enabling better workplace experiences while keeping people and places safe. From booking a desk to welcoming guests, discover how technology is reshaping security into a driver of connection and ease.
Through the transformation of a former industrial hall, dormakaba has created a forward-looking work environment at its Rümlang site. Guided by the motto “Every user needs a small town,” a diverse, urban office concept was developed that places the needs of employees and sustainability at its core. Accompanied by a comprehensive change management process, the project has received multiple awards and is considered a model for sustainable, user-centered workplace design. Susanne engages in a discussion with Jennifer, the project lead, about the challenges and key learnings from the project.
How can a global tech company redesign its offices with people, not just for them? SAP’s new Milan workspace was shaped through a co-design process that placed employees at the centre. Instead of a top-down approach, the project focused on listening—conducting interviews, mapping habits, and involving diverse voices throughout a comprehensive change journey. This session will explore how empathy, inclusion, and real user needs drove a workplace transformation that reflects how people truly work—offering a powerful model for people-first design in large organisations.
Join our interactive think tank discussion groups, where we explore the future of work's most compelling topics. Alongside, keynote presentations and expert panel discussions from industry experts, we invite our audience to participate in interactive peer-to-peer discussions to exchange ideas, problem-solve and share experiences, challenges and insights with the workplace community.
As we adopt digital tools and hybrid models, traditional KPIs (such as utilization or cost per square meter) no longer accurately reflect what truly drives engagement, performance, and well-being. This Think Tank explores what success looks like—and how to measure it—when people, purpose, and experience matter more than presence.
In a world reshaped by automation and distributed teams, the physical workplace must do more than support tasks—it must foster connection, creativity, and energy. This Think Tank invites leaders to rethink the function and feel of workspaces to support people’s best, most meaningful work.
In an AI-enabled world, how we lead, support, and develop people must evolve. This Think Tank explores how to create a culture that empowers the human side of work—emotional intelligence, adaptability, purpose—and builds the workforce of tomorrow through smart design and meaningful leadership.
As AI and automation transform how work gets done, the real question is not if we adopt these tools—but how we design around them to enhance the human experience. In this keynote, Susannah Burock explores how forward-looking organizations are using AI to elevate trust, wellbeing, performance, and connection—while managing cost, ESG, and return-to-office pressures. Through real-world case studies and behavioural insights, she outlines how human-centric workplaces can become strategic drivers of engagement and resilience in an AI-powered world. The future is not just digital—it’s deeply human.
