About THE AREA

THE AREA – The Community for Innovators, Visionaries & Product Enthusiasts

THE AREA – The Community for Innovators, Visionaries & Product Enthusiasts

THE AREA – The Community for Innovators, Visionaries & Product Enthusiasts

THE AREA is an exclusive business community event for the Ruhr Area and South Westphalia, initiated by THE ARC & EDIH-DO. It brings together industry leaders, innovators, and product creators to connect bold ideas with real action—through inspiring talks, knowledge sharing, and hands-on experiences.

A THE AREA event takes place in the Ruhr Area every three months. As part of the community, you’ll receive an exclusive invitation to an evening full of exchange, inspiration, and innovation projects. The agenda includes keynote talks, DIY innovation stations, networking & more.

  • THE AREA

    INSPIRE

    THE AREA

    INSPIRE

  • THE AREA

    INSPIRE

    THE AREA

    INSPIRE

  • CONNECT

    BUILD

    CONNECT

    BUILD

  • CONNECT

    BUILD

    CONNECT

    BUILD

  • THE AREA

    INSPIRE

    THE AREA

    INSPIRE

  • THE AREA

    INSPIRE

    THE AREA

    INSPIRE

  • CONNECT

    BUILD

    CONNECT

    BUILD

  • CONNECT

    BUILD

    CONNECT

    BUILD

  • THE AREA

    INSPIRE

    THE AREA

    INSPIRE

  • CONNECT

    BUILD

    CONNECT

    BUILD

01.

Exclusive access to thought leaders & industry pioneers from the region.

01.

Exclusive access to thought leaders & industry pioneers from the region.

01.

Exclusive access to thought leaders & industry pioneers from the region.

02.

Valuable connections with founders, executives & product experts.

02.

Valuable connections with founders, executives & product experts.

02.

Valuable connections with founders, executives & product experts.

03.

Deep dives into trends & technologies shaping entire industries.

03.

Deep dives into trends & technologies shaping entire industries.

03.

Deep dives into trends & technologies shaping entire industries.

04.

Hands-on workshops & curated roundtable discussions.

04.

Hands-on workshops & curated roundtable discussions.

04.

Hands-on workshops & curated roundtable discussions.

05.

A community that builds, not just talks and shares real insights.

05.

A community that builds, not just talks and shares real insights.

05.

A community that builds, not just talks and shares real insights.

06.

A unique atmosphere with inspiring venues & top-tier networking.

06.

A unique atmosphere with inspiring venues & top-tier networking.

06.

A unique atmosphere with inspiring venues & top-tier networking.

Recap

Three editions, countless highlights

Three editions, countless highlights

Three editions, countless highlights

From AI projects with Borussia Dortmund to smart solutions in parcel logistics, cobots in manufacturing, New Work in large enterprises and sustainable product design – at THE AREA, Mittelstand, tech and industry meet real innovation drivers.

In interactive sessions, pitches & live demos, companies like ABUS, ROSE Bikes, bace, Materna & many more offer exclusive insights into how the future is built today.

Together with EDIH-DO by Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund and other partners, we’ve been celebrating true innovators from the Ruhr region & South Westphalia since day one. The best part? THE AREA#4 is just around the corner.

Inspiring Speakers

Inspiring Speakers

Inspiring Speakers

Kim Mesewinkel-Risse & Jannis Jersch

BVB

Kim Mesewinkel-Risse & Jannis Jersch

BVB

Sandra Kunhenn

BOtechnologies

Sandra Kunhenn

BOtechnologies

Lars Frieg

GARO E-Mobility

Lars Frieg

GARO E-Mobility

Anica Althoff & Kai Bünseler

EDIH-DO

Anica Althoff & Kai Bünseler

EDIH-DO

Hasan Canti

GRIP

Hasan Canti

GRIP

Sara Volkmer & Sebastian Bomm

ROSE Bikes

Sara Volkmer & Sebastian Bomm

ROSE Bikes

Marc Haufer

Lüling

Marc Haufer

Lüling

Maximilian Fischer

BEHIND

Maximilian Fischer

BEHIND

Dr. Christian Samulewicz

Materna

Dr. Christian Samulewicz

Materna

Marvin Saake

ABUS

Marvin Saake

ABUS

Carsten Leverenz

pickshare

Carsten Leverenz

pickshare

Participating visionaries

Participating visionaries

Join the Community

Apply, attend events & stay informed.

Apply as a Speaker

Submit a talk idea or recommend someone who should share their expertise at THE AREA.

Become a (showcase) partner

Collaborate with us to shape the future.

Host an event

Think your venue would be a great fit for the next THE AREA event? Let us know!

Sponsored by

Sponsored by