From September 16 to 18, 2025, the Independent Logistics Society (ILS) invites around 500 professionals and interested parties to the "International Logistics Summer" (#ILS2025) in Leoben, Styria. The focus of the three-day event is "Digital Empowerment – Redefining Movement for a Sustainable Future". More than 30 experts from industry, research, politics, and media will discuss practically and interdisciplinarily how digital technologies can be specifically used to make logistics systems more resilient, efficient, and sustainable.
Digital Empowerment of Logistics as a Future Factor
The event centers around the question of how people, technologies, and logistical processes can be strengthened through digital solutions. Topics range from Artificial Intelligence (AI), emotional intelligence in mobility planning, resilient supply chains in geopolitically challenging times, to circular economic models. Event formats such as discussions, panels, keynotes, and practice-oriented breakout sessions enable intensive professional exchanges.
Opening of ILS2025 with a Political Signal
The event kicks off on September 16 with the so-called "Kitchentalk" – a culinary conversation format moderated by Austrian skier Armin Assinger. Representatives from business, science, and media come together in an informal setting.
The second day of the event begins with a political impulse at the Live Congress Leoben: Economic Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer, WK President Josef Herk, Knapp CEO Gerald Hofer, Mayor Kurt Wallner, and representatives of the Montanuniversität Leoben
emphasize the role of digitalization as a driver of education, location development, and societal change.
Technological and Societal Perspectives of Logistics
In the session "Emotional Intelligence vs. Sustainable Stories in Motion", Wolfgang Eder (CEO, Evolution GmbH) and Manuela Klauser (Founder, Agency of Ideas) discuss how AI can be ethically and efficiently integrated into communication, leadership, and content creation. This is followed by a discussion with experts from ÖAMTC, AVL List, Shell Austria, and Acstyria, focusing on the role of emotional intelligence, smart infrastructure, and mobility behavior in the digital world.
Geopolitics, Cybersecurity, and Digital Sovereignty
The panel "Digitalization & Geopolitics" explores the effects of global uncertainty and technological dependencies on logistics. Dr. Wolfgang Schwarzbauer (EcoAustria) provides an economic policy impulse on resilience to begin the session. Together with diplomat Alexander Bayerl, IT security specialist Philipp Trummer, and Christoph Ungersböck (SICK), they debate how companies can secure digital sovereignty and remain operational under pressure.
Circular Economy in Logistics
On the third day, ILS2025 demonstrates how the circular economy can be more than an ecological trend. Representatives from Toyota Material Handling, Energie AG, and Tafel Österreich present best practices for meaningful resource use and social impact. The Montanuniversität Leoben provides scientific classification. The goal is to show how logistics can be sustainably designed using digital tools, with people
at the center.
Promotion of Young Talent and Hands-On AI
Special emphasis is placed on young professionals: The "Apprentice Meet-up", moderated by Golden Mind, brings together young talents with experienced executives. Topics such as value change, future skills, and algorithmic responsibility are emphasized. The program is complemented by a hands-on AI workshop ("AI Breakout"), where participants test digital tools like chatbots, social media prompts, and ethical frameworks, and present their results in mini-pitches.
Innovative Logistics Formats
Creativity in logistics is also featured. The format "Knowledge Nexus" highlights sustainable event logistics – with practical contributions from FFS Bookings, Helmut List Halle, and Transdanubia Holding. The goal is to present new models for local, transparent, and creative event logistics.
Event Schedule (Excerpts): International Logistics Summer #ILS2025
📅 September 16 – Kick-off
Kitchentalk
- – Culinary conversation format with personalities from business, research, and media
- – Moderation: Armin Assinger
📅 September 17 – Digitalization, Mobility, & Geopolitics
Political & Economic Opening Impulse
- With: Willibald Ehrenhöfer (Economic Councillor) Josef Herk (Economic Chamber Styria) Gerald Hofer (CEO KNAPP) Kurt Wallner (Mayor of Leoben) Montanuniversität Leoben
- Motto: "Digitalization should empower people, not replace them"
Science Busters: Future Facts with Humor
- Martin Moder and Martin Puntigam entertainingly present scientific facts
Panel: Emotional Intelligence vs. Sustainable Stories in Motion
- Topic: Ethical Use of AI in
- Communication and Leadership
- With: Wolfgang Eder (Evolution GmbH) Manuela Klauser (Agency of Ideas)
Discussion: Mobility & Transformation – How Will We Move Tomorrow?
- Focus: Smart Infrastructure and Emotional Intelligence
- With: Marcella Kral (ÖAMTC) Sebastian Jagsch (AVL List) Hans Jörg Einfalt (Shell Austria) Christa Zengerer (Acstyria)
Panel: Digitalization & Geopolitics
- Theme: Economic Resilience, Digital Sovereignty, and Political Dependencies
- With: Dr. Wolfgang Schwarzbauer (EcoAustria) Alexander Bayerl (former Ambassador Azerbaijan) Philipp Trummer (iTanic) Christoph Ungersböck (SICK)
AI Breakout Session
- Practical exercise units on: Social Media Prompts Chatbots Ethical Frameworks for AI Projects
- Conclusion with Mini-Pitches on September 18
- Registration with the keyword "AI Breakout" to: office@ils365.at
📅 September 18 – Circular Economy & Future Skills
Panel: Circular Economy in Logistics
- Topic: Digital Tools for Resource-Efficient and Socially Responsible Logistics
- With: Alexandra Gruber (Tafel Österreich) Oskar Zettl (Toyota Material Handling) Representatives of Energie AG Montanuniversität Leoben
Knowledge Nexus: Sustainable Event Logistics
- Practical examples for creative and transparent event logistics
- With: Fritz Strba (FFS Bookings) Michael Tassis (Helmut List Halle) Andreas Grad (Transdanubia Holding)
Apprentice Meet-up: People Power & Gen Z
- Exchange between young talents and executives
- Moderation: Golden Mind (Viktoria Zinner & Sascha Krammer)
- With: Harald Kopeter (Corporate Media Service) Thomas Gruber (Pro7 Austria) Peter Stelzer (ivii) Harald Egger (Pankl Racing)
- Topics: Value Change, Future Skills, Digital Education, Algorithmic Responsibility
