Starnberg Sea Talks: Top managers discuss future topics!

Starnberg Sea Talks: Top managers discuss future topics!

In a picturesque setting on Lake Starnberg, around a hundred entrepreneurs and leaders met last week at La Villa in Niederpöcking to talk to each other and exchange ideas about current economic challenges. The Steinbeis Augsburg Business School invited people to its “Starnberg Lake Talk”, where well-known speakers shared their knowledge and experiences.

The event gave participants insights into a wide range of topics, ranging from artificial intelligence to international security issues to climate protection. The high-profile speakers included Bernhard Maier, former CEO of Skoda, and Ralf Kleber, who was CEO of Amazon Germany for over two decades. Retired Brigadier General Erich Vad, former military advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, also spoke about his view of the current geopolitical tensions, after previously attracting attention in the media for his clear opinions on the Ukraine conflict.

An afternoon full of inspiration

The event served not only for further training, but also for networking among managers. According to Michael Kieppe, head of the maritime talks, it is “the largest economic conference on Lake Starnberg”. The atmosphere was characterized by a high level of motivation, with the speakers' speech often focusing on entrepreneurial activity and the urge for change. Former Skoda boss Maier called on those present to leave their comfort zone and actively shape the future.

To take part in this intensive afternoon, participants had to pay an amount of 250 euros, which is not unusual in the industry and is intended to reflect the quality of the content on offer. Andreas Renner, head of the Steinbeis Augsburg Business School, was pleased with the positive response and the opportunity to host this event in his home region, where he grew up in Gilching.

The afternoon also included a shared dinner, which offered participants further networking opportunities. A social aspect could not go unmentioned at this meeting: Renner gave his former teacher Ludwig Gernhardt a donation of 10,000 euros for development aid projects in Africa, which are intended in particular to support the construction of economical stoves.

Looking to the future

The Steinbeis Augsburg Business School is already planning the next edition of the maritime talks for September next year. Renner has already received initial confirmations from well-known personalities, including Julian Nida-Rümelin, the SPD's former State Secretary for Culture, and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who left the political stage a few years after being accused of plagiarism and now works as a management consultant. This shows how strong the interest in economic exchange and the influence of expert opinions is in today's corporate world.

The Starnberg Sea Talks offer a valuable platform for discussing future trends and challenges that await companies in today's dynamic world. The combination of top-class speakers and the inspiring ambience of Lake Starnberg makes this event a highlight in the region's economic calendar.