Digital, tech and science converge at ICT Spring Europe 2017

These officials include Xavier Bettel (Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and Media of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) and Etienne Schneider (Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Economy).

From the future of Blockhain to the rise of RegTech
We live in a connected world where digital technologies keep revolutionising the financial sector. Blockchain and new banking pioneers, are more than ever a burning topic. Are companies ready to implement this new process in order to reduce their costs, tax fraud and to increase security and reliability? InsurTech, RegTech and FundTech are just some of the other combinations that are currently redefining entire industries. What are the latest billing and payments technologies? What are the newest RegTech trends? This FinTech Summit will bring together seasoned and top-notch experts for both the finance and technology sectors.

To discuss these FinTech topics, Harrie Vollard (Head of Innovation & FinTech, Rabobank), Kim Fuglsang (Head of MobilePay Operational Excellence, Danske Bank), Daniel Drummer (VP Fintech Strategy & Partnerships, J.P. Morgan), Matteo Carbone (Founder and Director, Connected Insurance Observatory), Nicolas Mackel (CEO of Luxembourg for Finance), Nadia Manzari (Head of Innovation, Payments, Markets Infrastructures and Governance, CSSF), Nasir Zubairi (CEO, Luxembourg House of Financial Technology), Pascal Rogiest (CEO, Luxtrust), Jonathan Prince (Co-founder, DigiCash Payments), Sarah Khabirpour (‎Head of Strategy, Regulatory Affairs & MarCom, BIL) will gather in Luxembourg for a conference.

The ever-growing power of digital
From Ubisoft to Forbes, digital solutions are hitting every single industry, from mobility to entertainment. It plays an essential role in our society and is forcing all sectors to upgrade and reinvent themselves. Virtual reality which allows us to have an immersive experience, is now starting to establish itself in numerous sectors and is becoming an important marketing tool. And with the rise of new technologies, customers' expectations can finally become real. On May 9^th and 10^th, local and international experts Olivier Schaack (Art Director, Canal+), Anne-Claire Le Conte (former Studio Marketing Manager at the Walt Disney Company), Jean Rognetta (Editorial Director, Forbes France), Emmanuel Vivier (Co-founder of the HUB Institute), Bernard Michaux (SAMSA Film), Georges Mohmmed-Chérif (CEO, Buzzman), Jo Bertram (Head of Northern Europe, Uber), will notably discuss the future of video & movies, the impact of VR, Blockchain and the Internet of Things on their industries, and will also focus on content relevance, storytelling and the importance of customer experience.

The age of machines
Dealing with massive amounts of data, the rise of algorithms and the need for cyber security are some of the main trends CIOs keep a close eye on around the world. Cyberattacks are more and more common and companies are being forced to adopt an information security policy to protect their data and the role of CIO is constantly being redefined. Moreover, these trends, along with machine learning, automation and artificial intelligence are completely reinventing manufacturing, one of Luxembourg's historical industries. What are the main threats and opportunities? How can operational excellence be achieved? What's new in AI? These sessions will bring together Paul Schockmel (Vice-President Strategy, Business Development and Marketing, IEE), Raja Chatila (Research Director, CNRS, ISIR - Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics), Dr. Robert Plana (Director, Innovation and Ecosystem, GE Digital), Jaap Zuiderveld (VP EMEAI, NVIDIA), Rohitashwa Pant (Vice President, KUKA AG) and many more. In a world where productivity and profit are the top priority, companies must learn how to minimise their costs and waste. Digital transforms all sectors of the economy forcing industrial companies to adapt quickly to change. Not being able to keep up with the new technologies will end up with decline in the near future.

Space forum
Following the success of last year's Space Forum and with the multiplication of space initiatives launched by the Luxembourg government, the organisers have invited experts from some of world's biggest companies and agencies of the space industry: Airbus Safran Launchers, Arianespace, NASA, ESA, and much more. To discuss mobility, mobile internet, planetary defense, space mining, exploration, data and space innovation in general, Sam Scimemi (Director for International Space Station (ISS), NASA Headquarters), Pete Worden (former Director of NASA Ames Research Centre), Jean-Jacques Dordain (former Director of ESA and advisor of spaceresources.lu), Jacques Breton (Senior VP, Sales & Customers, Arianespace), Peter Frans Pauwels (Co-founder of TomTom), Dr. Patrick Michel (Research Director, CNRS), Chris Lewicki (President & CEO, Planetary Resources) and Steve Collard (CEO, O3b Networks) will meet in Luxembourg next May. The spatial sector is of paramount importance in the high-tech industry. Its crucial challenge is the speed of data highways as well as securing the cyberspace. Technological innovations are required for this growing sector because of the importance of spatial telecommunication on earth.

Building the best visitor experience possible
During these two days of knowledge sharing, participants will also be able to discover the latest technological and ICT innovation through the alleys of the European Convention Centre Luxembourg, and to exchange with their peers to build strong relationships and partnerships with visionary decision makers and investors.

The ICT Spring Europe Gala Dinner
As part of the worldwide ICT community, the aim of ICT Spring Europe is to encourage emulation and networking between CIOs, innovation managers, start-ups, researchers and venture capitalists on a European scale: 500 guests are expected on the evening of the first day of the conference (May 9^th) for the European ICT Awards Dinner and Ceremony. Its aim is to reward the best practices in the ICT field.