The EU Commissioner for Sustainable Mobility and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will open the anniversary edition of InnoTrans in Berlin in September 2026.
The trade fair, organised by Messe Berlin, will take place from 22 to 25 September 2026 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
Also expected to attend the opening ceremony is Germany’s Federal Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder. Meanwhile, senior figures from the rail and mobility industry are due to take part in the opening discussions, including executives from major manufacturers and operators.
Among them are DB Chief Executive Evelyn Palla, marking her first major industry trade fair in the role, and Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, who is also attending InnoTrans in his new position. Other participants include Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, and Škoda Group Chief Executive Petr Novotný. A panel discussion at the opening is scheduled to address international mobility projects and market developments.
InnoTrans Director Kerstin Schulz said:As the most important meeting place for the transport technology industry, InnoTrans stands out not only for its technical innovations and world premieres, but also for its intensive professional exchange. We are proud to once again welcome countless high-profile speakers and panelists from all segments of the industry this year. The InnoTrans Convention and the entire supporting program send a strong signal about how important networking and professional exchange are.
The InnoTrans Convention will run alongside the trade fair and includes a series of dialogue forums organised by industry associations and sector bodies. These forums are designed to provide structured discussion on current topics affecting transport and mobility systems, including digitalisation, infrastructure planning, cybersecurity and sustainability.
The Dialogue Forums programme includes sessions hosted by the Association of the German Railway Industry (VDB), the German Transport Forum (DVF), the European rail supply industry association UNIFE, and the electrical and digital industries association ZVEI.
Planned sessions include discussions on subscription-based rail technology, efficiency in rail operations, the evolution of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), resilience in transport systems, and cybersecurity challenges in the rail sector.
Furthermore, a Rail Leaders’ Summit will bring together senior representatives from government, railway companies and infrastructure operators. The summit is organised by Deutsche Bahn AG, the German Federal Ministry of Transport, and Messe Berlin. The programme includes a session on high-performance rail infrastructure and system resilience.
International Design Forum and Tunnel Forum
The International Design Forum will focus on interior design and passenger experience in public transport. Topics include accessibility, materials, and design approaches for rolling stock interiors. It is organised by Design Zentrum Berlin.
The International Tunnel Forum, organised by STUVA, will examine developments in tunnel construction, including safety standards, digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence in engineering and operations. Sessions will cover sustainability in infrastructure and the application of digital tools in tunnel projects.
Public Transport and Bus Forums
The Public Transport Forum will bring together operators, cities and technology providers to discuss developments in urban and regional mobility. Topics include the application of artificial intelligence in service planning and operational efficiency.
The International Bus Forum, organised by the German Transport Forum, will focus on developments in bus transport, including electrification, connected systems and autonomous vehicle deployment in public transport networks.
