iTeam Summits | CEO Conference 2026

iTeam CEO Conference 2026

The meeting place for entrepreneurs in the IT SME sector:
The iTeam Managing Directors' Conference brings together managing directors and executives from medium-sized IT companies to jointly review industry developments and find answers to crucial questions about the future.
Look forward to inspiring keynotes, open discussions with entrepreneurs, practical workshops, and the opportunity to connect with people facing similar challenges. The focus is not only on new technologies, but above all on the entrepreneurial decisions that determine the future viability of an IT company.
In addition to professional insights, the conference offers ample opportunity for personal encounters, honest exchange of experiences and valuable contacts within the iTeam network.

The motto for 2026: Pit Stop for the Future
Strategy under new rules
New realities are changing the IT sector for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) faster than ever before. Artificial intelligence, new customer expectations, skills shortages, and changing business models present entrepreneurs with new decisions every day.
A pit stop is the moment when a team briefly pauses, analyzes, readjusts and adapts to changing conditions – while the race continues.
That is precisely what the 2026 Managing Directors' Conference is about: gaining orientation together, questioning perspectives and taking away concrete impulses to make one's own company fit for the future.

Our keynotes

Johannes Rasch: Trust is the new business model
AI is making knowledge and technical services increasingly accessible. For IT companies, it is therefore crucial whether customers see them merely as suppliers or as partners they truly trust.
In his presentation, Johannes shows how system houses are currently evolving from technical experts to trusted advisors, proactively guiding customers and thus sustainably setting themselves apart from the competition.

Dr. Arne Aarnink: Making Decisions Under Pressure
60,000 spectators, split-second moments, no second chances: As a DFB referee with over 500 matches in professional football, Dr. Arne Aarnink knows what it means to make the right decisions under maximum pressure. In his keynote address, he translates this experience into the language of leadership.
The central question is how to focus on the truly decisive decisions for success – instead of getting lost in the daily grind. He demonstrates how a clear personal stance and the conscious use of one's own strengths help to act convincingly and provide guidance to others. Furthermore, it addresses a constructive culture of learning from mistakes, future-oriented performance management, and how teams can collaborate successfully even when things don't go smoothly at first.
You can expect not dry theory, but concrete, actionable impulses from the practice of competitive sports – combined with the analytical eye of a PhD economist.

Closing keynote
Felix Thönnessen: Courage beats mediocrity
Innovation isn't a buzzword, it's a survival strategy. As a mentor to over 1,000 companies, Felix Thönnessen knows that growth begins where mediocrity ends. In this high-energy keynote, he reveals why so many companies cling to the status quo – and how routine can be transformed into courage. With real-life stories from "Shark Tank," concrete examples from DAX-listed companies, and surprising insights, Felix makes innovation tangible. The audience leaves not only inspired, but also equipped with practical tools for the next day at work.

We look forward to your registration!