Upcoming Events:September 16, 2026 - September 17, 2026
Location:
About the Event
Brussels is gearing up for more than just policy debates and waffle consumption. The European Manufacturing Conference (EMC) 2026 is descending on the city, and its theme sounds like the title of a boardroom thriller: “A new global order: Securing Europe’s industrial leadership.” Against a backdrop of twitchy supply chains, rapid-fire technological change, and geopolitical chess moves, this event is shaping up to be a critical huddle for the continent’s industrial future.
Mark your calendars for September 16-17, 2026, at the Silo Brussels. This third edition of the biennial conference is a joint effort by a trifecta of EU manufacturing heavyweights: the European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), EIT Manufacturing, and the MANUFUTURE-EU technology platform. These organizations share the belief that intense cooperation is the only way to tackle the monumental challenges facing European industry.
This isn’t your average trade show floor. Expect a convergence of C-suite executives, policymakers who probably think a ‘digital twin’ is a new sci-fi movie, top-tier researchers from academia, and the scrappy startups and scaleups building the future. The conference is designed for anyone with a stake in ensuring Europe doesn’t get left behind in the next industrial revolution.
Attendees will leave with more than just a complimentary tote bag and a pocketful of business cards. The goal is to forge concrete strategies for navigating global power shifts, boosting trade competitiveness, and turning sustainability from a buzzword into a genuine competitive advantage. In short, it’s about figuring out how Europe can build things better, smarter, and more resiliently.
Key Themes
The conference program will dive deep into the most pressing questions keeping industrial leaders up at night. While the full agenda is still being finalized, the core discussions will revolve around several strategic pillars:
- Industrial & Trade Competitiveness: How can Europe secure its leadership when global powers are constantly rewriting the rules of the game?
- Breakthrough Technologies: Identifying the next wave of tech—from AI in production to advanced materials—and figuring out how to lead its development and deployment.
- Investment and Scale-Up Strategies: What financial frameworks are needed to help innovative European manufacturing companies grow and compete on a global scale?
- Talent & Future Workforce: Developing and attracting the skilled minds needed to run the factories of the future.
- Circularity as an Advantage: Moving beyond theory to make the circular economy a powerful engine for industrial competitiveness.
- Strategic Sovereignty: Examining the role of research, innovation, and even dual-use technologies in bolstering Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy.
Featured Speakers
The full lineup of speakers is still under wraps, which only adds to the suspense. However, given the organizers and the strategic importance of the topics, expect a roster of heavy-hitters. The conference will feature keynote speeches, fireside chats, and panel sessions with senior representatives from the European Commission, C-level executives from leading industrial corporations, and pioneering researchers from across the continent. Check the official event page for announcements as they are released.
Schedule
A detailed schedule is forthcoming, but the two-day event promises a dense program of high-level discourse and networking. The structure is designed to foster collaboration between industry, research, and policy stakeholders through a mix of plenary sessions and focused panel discussions.
Day 1 - September 16, 2026
- Morning: Registration, opening keynotes on the state of European manufacturing.
- Afternoon: Panel sessions on industrial competitiveness and breakthrough technologies.
- Evening: Networking reception.
Day 2 - September 17, 2026
- Morning: Deep dives into investment strategies and the future workforce.
- Afternoon: Sessions on circularity and strategic sovereignty, followed by closing remarks.
Registration
Registrations are officially open, and if you want a seat at the table where Europe’s industrial future is being debated, you’d be wise to book early. While pricing details have not been specified, securing your spot sooner rather than later is recommended to avoid disappointment.
For all details and to complete your registration, visit the official conference page: Register Now.
