Aarhus Symposium 2026
Aarhus Symposium’s main event, connecting leaders of today with leaders of tomorrow. Expect a day filled with insightful talks, engaging discussions with top leaders, and valuable networking opportunities. Submit your application here!
Date & Time
Nov 6th at 12:00 PM
Location
Aarhus University, building 1790
Registration Deadline
Sep 27th at 11:59 PM
Groups Enabled
This event supports group registrations. You can form teams with other participants or join existing groups. Group leaders can coordinate applications and track preferences for all members.
Requirements
This event requires a question submission as part of the registration process. You must select one of the available Challenge Speakers and submit a precise, well-considered question addressed to them, along with a short elaboration. These are as follows: - Question: Address your question to the Challenge Speaker you selected. You may split it into multiple parts if needed. - Elaboration: Max 1200 characters, explaining and motivating your question. - Background material: Mark which of the provided background material (data, statements, articles) you used while formulating your question. - Deadline: Submit your application by the event registration deadline. - Originality: The question and elaboration must be your own work. - Evaluation: Applications are evaluated against a set of weighted criteria, including concrete focus, precise formulation, analytical tension, original connections, and use of the provided background material. Please refer to the challenge page for more detailed information on the requirements and evaluation criteria.
People & Productivity
Speaker's Statement:
"Europe's best route to innovation and productivity is not outside talent, but better use of the talent I already has within the region."
Challenge Overview
Join the Aarhus Symposium Challenge on People & Productivity, featuring Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group. Explore how strong leadership, engaged people, and a high-performance culture can drive productivity, innovation, and lasting success.
Background Material
Partnerships & Alliances
Speaker's Statement:
"In an increasingly fragmented global economy, Europe's way forward should not be to seek new global alliances – but focus on deeper regional ones."
Challenge Overview
Join the Aarhus Symposium Challenge on Partnerships & Alliances, featuring Niels Duedahl, Group CEO of Danish Crown. Discover how strategic collaborations and strong partnerships create long-term value, drive growth, and strengthen organizations in a rapidly changing world.
Background Material
Leadership & Values
Speaker's Statement:
"Europe's leadership problem isn't a lack of values – it's the wrong ones: Sustainability, trust, and predictability, built for a world that no longer plays by those rules."
Challenge Overview
Join the Aarhus Symposium Challenge on Leadership & Values, featuring Marianne Dahl. Explore how strong values shape effective leadership, build trust, and empower organizations to navigate change while creating lasting impact.
Background Material
Track 1
(6 speakers)
Adam Steensberg
Zealand Pharma
CEO
Niels Duedahl
Danish Crown
Group CEO
Leading Through Uncertainty
Collection (4 speakers)
Casper Kirketerp-Møller
Clever
CEO
Jonas Dahl
Central Region Denmark
CEO
Louise Hahn
Mind Energy
CEO
Thomas Kempf
Compass Group Danmark
CEO
Track 2
(6 speakers)
Mads Nipper
PwC
Global Board Independant Director
Niels Duedahl
Danish Crown
Group CEO
Leading Through Uncertainty
Collection (4 speakers)Casper Kirketerp-Møller
Clever
CEO
Jonas Dahl
Central Region Denmark
CEO
Louise Hahn
Mind Energy
CEO
Thomas Kempf
Compass Group Danmark
CEO
Track 3
(3 speakers)
Max Andersen
Siemens A/S Denmark
CEO
Marianne Dahl
Boston Consulting Group
Global Senior Advisor
Niels B. Christiansen
LEGO Group
President & CEO
Track 4
(4 speakers)Niels B. Christiansen
LEGO Group
President & CEO
Europe in a World of Alliances
Collection (3 speakers)
Julie Rokkjær Birch
Den Gamke By
Group CEO
Jesper Bøhnke
Terma
CEO
Ulrik Drejsig Petersen
Semler Gruppen
CEO