In cooperation with people from sports, business, politics, investors, and scientists, the congress strives to find solutions for an efficient and equally ecological and economically sustainable future. The organizers of the star-studded congress are Rhein Ruhr City GmbH, the Aachen Technology Entrepreneurship Conference (ATEC) RWTH Aachen, and the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS.

• IOC President, Dr. Thomas Bach
• RWE CEO, Dr. Markus Krebber
• SAP Germany CEO, Sven Mulder
• STAWAG Board Member, Dr. Christian Becker
• Chairman of Westenergie, Katherina Reiche
• IOC Executive Board Member, Ivo Ferriani
• Sports Manager, Oliver Bierhoff
• Bayer 04 Leverkusen‘s CEO, Fernando Carro
• Bayer CEO, Bill Anderson
• VfB Stuttgart’s CEO Alexander Wehrle
• IOC members Petra Sörling and Britta Heidemann, and many more

The Vision of a Sustainable Future

The CHIO Aachen stands for top international sport with a long tradition. But at the same time, it is also a place of encounter and exchange. The #neuland Congress has been held during Germany’s largest sporting event, CHIO Aachen, since 2018. It offers scope for an exchange at the highest level. Together with the ATEC, the congress unites sport with deep tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation to lay the foundation for an efficient and equally ecological and economically sustainable future.

It allows start-ups to present innovative ideas in a dynamic competition. The focus is on exchanging knowledge, promoting discussions, and establishing new contacts. Over two exciting days, the participants at the #neuland congress can look forward to current trends, concrete examples of good practice, lively discussions, stimulating lectures, and a fabulous networking atmosphere revolving around current social themes. “The idea behind the congress is to decisively push the vision of a sustainable future forward,” explained Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH and CEO of the organizers, Rhein Ruhr City GmbH.

IOC President, Dr. Thomas Bach to Open #neuland Congress

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mmediately before the CHIO Aachen, which kicks off on the evening of July 2nd, with its spectacular Opening Evening, and when the celebrities walk over the most famous red carpet of the equestrian sports scene on their way to the traditional gala evening, the “Media Night.” The first day of the congress at the traditional showgrounds at the Aachen Soers will be brought to a close with an opening lecture by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach. The event offers the speakers and guests a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking atmosphere of the CHIO Aachen and engage in an exchange and network in this first-class ambiance. Accredited journalists also have the chance to attend the impulse lecture.

Sport – An Important Social Axis of Our Society

On both days, the congress will examine sports’ vital role in society, especially regarding sustainable financing models and their contribution to social integration and cohesion. “Sport is an important social axis of our society. It holds great social potential and at the same time bears a far-reaching economic responsibility,” stated Michael Mronz. “Particularly the theme of the sustainable financing of clubs, associations, and sporting events takes on an ever-increasing significance in the planning and strategic alignment and will also be of key importance for the sports industry.”  DOSB President Thomas Weikert and the CEO and founder of Dyn, Christian Seifert, will collaborate with fellow high-ranking representatives of the sports industry solutions to explore sustainable financing models and the related preservation of the role of sport.

AI-Based Camera Systems for Monitoring Horses’ Health

The CHIO Aachen Scientist Circle will be one of the themes addressed on the second day of the congress. This project brings equestrian experts together with leading scientists from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, and its work focuses on the well-being of sports horses—Prof—Dr. Dirk Winter from the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Science; Dr. rer. nat. Arne-Rasmus Dräger, an expert in artificial intelligence and developer of AI-based camera systems for monitoring horses’ health, and CHIO Aachen Head of Sport Birgit Rosenberg are participating.

Impressive Setting

“We are looking forward to providing the CHIO Aachen Scientist Circle amid this impressive setting, with a stage for an interdisciplinary exchange on major sport-related and socially relevant future themes,” commented Philip Erbers, who, in his capacity as a member of the board of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, organizers of the CHIO Aachen, is among others responsible for the areas Digital Technology and Innovations. “I am convinced that ultimately the outcome will be interesting ideas on all themes.”

Tickets for the congress are available immediately here: neuland.today. Journalists accredited for the CHIO Aachen 2024 can attend the congress, and a shuttle will drive them to the event location.