New Work: People, Machines and Collaboration
The HR Deep Dive at Käpsele 2026.
Is the skills shortage holding you back? At the Käpsele Innovation Festival on 16 July 2026, we’ll show you how companies today attract, develop and retain talent in the long term. Find out what role modern leadership, corporate culture and new working models play in this, and which approaches really work in practice.
Your perfectly balanced day on the Käpsele
Raphael Gielgen (Vitra) will show you, in no uncertain terms, how modern working environments are changing around the world. If you don’t listen to this, you’ll lose your best people tomorrow.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
The AI era presents us with challenges. Rather than dogma, the future now calls for critical thinking, intuition and empathy. A thought-provoking talk on how we can shape this transformation with both our minds and hearts – courageously, humanely and with confidence.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
AI-powered phishing, deepfakes and ransomware: cyberattacks are hitting businesses harder than ever before. This panel makes it absolutely clear why cyber security is a top priority for senior management. After all, true resilience does not come from IT tools, but from clear leadership roles, new decision-making approaches and crisis-proof routines at an organisational level.
Where: uptownBasel Stage
Cyberattacks rarely fail because of technical issues – but rather because of how companies react in the first few minutes. This is precisely where the mistakes are made that later cost millions. In this masterclass, business owners will learn what really matters right now: clear decision-making, accountability and communication. Through practical examples, it becomes clear why this phase determines whether you retain control – or lose it.
Where: IHK Südlicher Oberrhein Iglu
Those who make decisions faster shape the future! Joe Kaeser (Siemens Energy & Daimler Truck) challenges risk aversion in business and politics. A thought-provoking talk, rich in analytical depth, on the willingness to take responsibility and courage as strategic resources in uncertain times.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
How European companies are regaining momentum. Understand the strategic pain points of established corporations – that’s exactly where your sales pitches come in.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
Don’t be caught off guard by a crisis: paralysed ports and blocked production lines cost millions. This panel discussion will show how digital technologies and transparent data flows can act as a protective shield for supply chains. A practical look at modern risk management that reduces dependencies and enables proactive action.
Where: uptownBasel Stage
An honest masterclass by encourageventures × VdU on the reality behind investment, growth and collaboration. No glossy success stories, but real lessons learnt, areas of tension and uncomfortable truths between founders, business angels and SMEs. Why do good ideas fail despite having capital? When does trust break down? And what does it really take to build sustainable partnerships?
Where: FWTM Iglu
Challenges, strategies and real insights: the IHK podcast ‘Boss Storys’ brings the region’s most exciting success stories to the fore. At the Käpsele Innovation Festival, Florian Kech interviews a very special guest: Hendrik Hey, the founder of the cult TV programme ‘Welt der Wunder’. Find out first-hand how to build such a strong, enduring brand from a media format.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
Use your lunch break for in-depth discussions with cultural experts. Head straight to the exhibition space – the interactive stations are available to you all day long.
Our recommendations for interactive stations:
- Jugend forscht Showroom – Ideas for Tomorrow from the Jugend forscht South Baden Regional Competition – participants and projects
- Further training for the economy of tomorrow from the IHK Academy of the Southern Upper Rhine
- Agentic Service AI: Knowledge, AI & Tools Combined by helpcode.ai GmbH
- Fraunhofer Innovation Space Freiburg – Experience sustainability by the Fraunhofer Centre of Excellence for Sustainability in Freiburg
- Interactive learning with AR by Zentrum Holzbau Schwarzwald gGmbH
Networking without a tie. Join cultural experts and HR colleagues to discuss how we can radically improve the working world of tomorrow.
Where: Haufe Group Stage
Bonus
HR Deep Dive on Day 2
The ticket is valid without restriction for 17 July! On this dedicated masterclass day, we’ll be diving deep: take advantage of interactive intensive workshops to develop modern remuneration models, legally compliant flexible working time arrangements and psychological safety concepts directly for your day-to-day HR work.
Our masterclass recommendations:
Passion-Driven Leadership: How we transformed
culture, collaboration and results in our SME Date: 17 July 2026
Time: 09:00 – 09:45
ADHD, Autism & Co.: Neurodiversity – Unlocking potential in SMEs and start-ups
Date: 17 July 2026
Time: 12:00 – 12:45
Where: Lokhalle Freiburg
Your ticket options
- The ‘Bring Your Trainee’ Combo Package: Our clear statement against the skills shortage, valid for both days. Get a discounted combo ticket for yourself and a young professional (trainee or dual-study student). Available as either a gourmet option (including premium catering) or a self-catering option.
- The gourmet ticket: For HR professionals who want to focus fully on networking on both days – including top-quality catering throughout the day.
- Self-catering ticket: Access to all programme events (excluding food and drinks). A simple selection of food and drinks is available on site at your own expense.
Plan your day just the way you like it
Stage programme
Our varied programme of talks, debates and keynote speeches. Here you’ll find all the details about the speakers and the full schedule for your day.
Interactive stations
Experience innovation first-hand at our interactive stands. Discover the 15 interactive stations that make the festival an unforgettable journey into the future.
Masterclasses
Your registration includes access on both days of the festival, with all masterclasses already included in the ticket price.