Save the Date: Anniversary – 1 Year of THE AREA!

Our favourite event series enters its fifth edition – and we’re celebrating a milestone: one year of THE AREA. Twelve months of real innovation, strong partnerships, and fresh perspectives.

THE AREA #5 tackles one of the most pressing questions of our time:

How do we anchor Artificial Intelligence where it truly makes an impact – moving beyond strategy papers and into the heart of organizations?

The answer is as simple as it is challenging: through teams. AI is not a solo discipline.

To make it work, you need clear roles, strong leadership, shared learning, trust in processes – and people who take responsibility. That’s exactly where THE AREA #5 comes in.

What to expect:

→ Panels with decision-makers from tech, SMEs, and industry

→ Real-world cases from companies driving transformation today

→ Inspiration from professional sports – as a model for collaboration and peak performance

→ New formats: Brand Challenges, live sessions, and networking without the buzzwords

THE AREA #5 is where people who are serious about AI come together. We can’t wait to see you there!

Stay tuned.

Our first speakers are already confirmed – and we can promise: it’s going to be a strong lineup again. For now: stay tuned.

Want to become a speaker or know inspiring people who belong on our stage? Send us a short message – we’d love your recommendation!

Send message

Ruben Dahmen

Moderator & Host

Coming soon

stay tuned

Coming soon

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Coming soon

stay tuned

About THE AREA

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.

Join the Community

Apply as Speaker

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.

Strong cases and exciting interactive sessions.

04.

Strong cases and exciting interactive sessions.

04.

Strong cases and exciting interactive sessions.

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

One year, four editions, countless highlights.

From AI projects with Borussia Dortmund to smarter parcel logistics, cobots in production, new work in large enterprises, and sustainable product design – THE AREA is where SMEs, tech, and industry meet real innovation leaders from the region.

Through compelling cases, interactive sessions, pitches, and live demos, companies such as BVB, ABUS, ROSE Bikes, bace, Materna, Lülling, and many more have shown how the future is being shaped today – concrete, collaborative, and with vision.

Highlights from our last edition included:

“Herbie Recharged” – a 1968 VW Beetle transformed into a 600-horsepower EV by apprentices at ANDRITZ.

“PATH” – the in-house incubator by Gebrüder Jaeger, featuring real prototypes and first deals.

The premiere of our new interview format BEHIND THE VENTURE with Leonie Berents from abgefüllt.® – an unfiltered look behind the entrepreneurial curtain.

Together with EDIH-DO by Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund, we’ve celebrated from day one the people who don’t just talk about technology – but implement it. From the Ruhr region, South Westphalia, and beyond.

And the best part? THE AREA #5 is already around the corner.

Highlights from our last edition included:

“Herbie Recharged” – a 1968 VW Beetle transformed into a 600-horsepower EV by apprentices at ANDRITZ.

“PATH” – the in-house incubator by Gebrüder Jaeger, featuring real prototypes and first deals.

The premiere of our new interview format BEHIND THE VENTURE with Leonie Berents from abgefüllt.® – an unfiltered look behind the entrepreneurial curtain.

And the best part? THE AREA #5 is already around the corner.

Highlights from our last edition included:

“Herbie Recharged” – a 1968 VW Beetle transformed into a 600-horsepower EV by apprentices at ANDRITZ.

“PATH” – the in-house incubator by Gebrüder Jaeger, featuring real prototypes and first deals.

The premiere of our new interview format BEHIND THE VENTURE with Leonie Berents from abgefüllt.® – an unfiltered look behind the entrepreneurial curtain.

And the best part? THE AREA #5 is already around the corner.

Join the Community

Apply as Speaker