Finding a solution: 24th Congress for Family Businesses brought three generations together

This year's Congress for Family Businesses took place at the weekend under the motto "finding your purpose". The guiding principle was the process of finding one's own role in this world. The three-day event, which was aimed at the entire business family, focussed on transgenerational exchange. The participant categories "Senior-Gen, Mid-Gen and Next-Gen" were gradually brought together after an initial separation. The patrons of the different generations were Paul Niederstein (The Coatinc Company), Andreas Krengel (WEPA Group) and Philippa Weig (WEIG Group).

Under the headings Reflect; Analyse; Design, there was a keynote speech and a panel discussion in addition to workshops and networking programme items. The keynote speech "From Ada Lovelace to Alibaba" was given by Prof Dr Miriam Meckel. In her lecture, the ada founder and Professor of Communication Management explained why Europe needs to be bolder when it comes to artificial intelligence and why we should rethink our education system. The panel discussion focussed on the topic of "Responsible handling of assets and property". The Congress's cooperation partner was the Witten Institute for Family Businesses (WIFU), which took part in organising numerous workshops, presented a new WIFU study on the development of shareholder skills in business families and also took up the idea of networking: as part of a transgenerational "speed dating" event, business families were able to network in a playful way while enjoying the panoramic view from the university's roof terrace. The Succession Academy - a networking event especially for the next generation - was once again part of the congress.

Exhibition and art auction as part of the conference

The conference's own intermedia exhibition on the theme of "Process" energised and rejuvenated the university for the duration of the conference. Conceived by the artists Hannah Papendieck, Florens de Wyl and Gian Hüsch, in cooperation with the start-ups Blockchain Applications AG and Greenkeeper, the exhibition filled two floors of the university's sustainable timber building. The exhibition culminated in a juxtaposing auction of physical and digital art with Philipp Demeter from Sotheby's. This raised a significant amount of money to support sustainable initiatives at the university. Throughout the day, the Milan Kühn Sextet created a cosy atmosphere with creative sounds.

The Congress for Family Businesses is one of the university's largest projects, which is organised by a team of students every year. In this way, the UW/H gives its students the opportunity to get involved in entrepreneurship during their studies and to make exciting contacts in practice with a great deal of personal responsibility and practical relevance. This year's team was made up of students Anika Sprakel, Leron von Lupin, Salomon Heß and Florens de Wyl and was supported by more than 100 student helpers on both days of the congress.