Florian Rotberg and Stefan Schieker set the scene for the next two days' sessions, and introduce the subject of NextGen Signage.

The annual invidis keynote sets the agenda for the global digital signage industry. Drawing on exclusive research, market data and real-world case studies, this session delivers a clear view of where the industry stands today and where it is heading next. From shifting business models to emerging technologies and market dynamics, gain the insight you need to navigate change and identify the opportunities shaping the future of digital signage.

Delivering impactful digital signage at scale requires more than great content. It demands seamless orchestration across platforms, data, hardware and operations. This session explores how leading organisations are bringing these elements together to create cohesive, responsive and scalable networks. From content workflows to system integration and real-time optimisation, discover what best-in-class orchestration looks like in practice and how it drives measurable results.

The screen industry has been ruled by the same giants for two decades - but the next generation of manufacturers isn’t here to play nice. They’re faster. They’re hungrier. And they’re not waiting for permission to disrupt the market.

From me-too to aggressive innovation cycles, from platform-driven business models to radically different cost structures, the new guard is coming to capture market share.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth the legacy brands don’t want to hear: For the first time in years, they’re vulnerable. There component suppliers become competitors, is product still king or are solutions superior, does Made in China beats assembled in Europe?  

This panel puts the industry’s biggest question on the table: Are the new screen manufacturers about to outperform — or even replace — the old guard? We’ll explore shifting power, collapsing margins, new sourcing realities, sustainability pressures, vertical integration, and the one factor everyone underestimates: ambition.

If you think the screen market is stable, predictable, or controlled by the “usual players,” think again.

Global defense spending is entering a new era, driven by sustained geopolitical tensions, accelerated European rearmament, and a strong focus on digital, AI‑enabled, and dual‑use technologies. As armed forces modernize command structures and operational capabilities, visual systems have become mission‑critical infrastructure. From command‑and‑control centers to remote operations of drones, surveillance systems, and autonomous platforms, large‑format displays and real‑time visualization are no longer auxiliary tools -they are central to how defense organizations operate, decide, and respond.

In this fireside talk, Dr. Johannes Tröger and Florian Rotberg explore what this structural shift means for the digital signage industry. Drawing on insights from recent defense conferences and conversations with military advisors, Dr. Johannes Tröger outlines where real opportunities are emerging, which requirements differ fundamentally from commercial projects, and how signage vendors can responsibly approach defense and dual‑use markets. The discussion will separate hype from reality and offer a pragmatic view on how an industry rooted in retail and corporate communications can adapt to one of the fastest‑growing and most demanding sectors worldwide.

Everyone keeps calling India “the next big market” - but what if it’s already the most important digital signage opportunity the industry is ignoring? Retail is booming, LED adoption is exploding, and global brands are pouring into India with a speed that makes Western markets look stuck in slow motion.

Meanwhile, India is building something no other region currently offers: scale, momentum, and an entirely new class of ambitious local players ready to compete globally.

This panel asks the uncomfortable questions most vendors avoid: Is India still an emerging market — or the growth engine the industry desperately needs? Are global DS players prepared to compete with India’s rising champions? Can India leapfrog legacy infrastructure and build the future of screens from scratch? And what happens when a billion‑plus consumers shape the next wave of digital experiences?

This isn’t just another “expanding region.” It’s the market with the power to make or break the next generation of DS and DooH strategies.

Every region claims to be the ‘next big thing’ - but the global digital signage industry is far more fragmented, political, and unpredictable than the headlines suggest. What’s booming in India is stagnating in North America. What’s consolidating in Europe is exploding in LATAM. What’s innovating in APAC is being regulated in the Middle East.

This panel brings together global insiders who aren’t afraid to say what’s actually happening - and what’s not. We’ll dig into what really drives global growth (and what kills it): Supply chains under pressure, Tariff‑shaped markets, Local champions rising as global vendors retreat, Regional regulatory headaches, Diverging technology preferences. And the billion‑dollar question: Which region will define the next decade of digital signage?

Celebrate excellence across the digital signage industry at the invidis Awards. Recognising innovation, creativity and impact, this session highlights the standout projects and organisations driving the sector forward. The ceremony is followed by networking, offering the perfect setting to connect with peers, partners and industry leaders.

Over the past two decades, digital signage has evolved from standalone displays to a global, data-driven communications medium. This keynote reflects on the defining moments, technological shifts and business model transformations that have shaped the industry. Drawing on deep market insight, it also looks ahead to the next phase of growth, highlighting the forces that will define the future of digital signage.

AI is reshaping digital signage – from technology to business models.
The DSS AI spotlight session explores how AI impacts products and services, transforms organizations and people, and redefines entire value chains. Join industry experts and AI specialists as they move the conversation from first movers to true transformation - covering everything from GenAI and agentic AI to AI-driven coding and intelligent signage solutions.

Airports are the last place where brands still have a captive audience - and everyone is fighting to own that moment. In a world where attention has a shorter lifespan than a boarding call, airport DooH is becoming the premium battleground for influence, identity, and revenue.

But let’s be honest: Most airport screens are playing it safe. Too static. Too polite. Too predictable. This panel asks the uncomfortable questions: Why aren’t airport media advertisers taking bigger creative risks? Why do brands spend millions on travelers, yet deliver content that looks like a digital brochure? And who actually controls innovation - airport operators, media owners, or brands terrified of disruption?

We’ll explore the boldest airport installations, the biggest missed opportunities, and the new wave of data‑driven, immersive, high‑stakes DooH that is rewriting the rules of passenger engagement. 

Join us as we challenge the status quo and show how airports can transform from media inventory into moment‑making machines.

Florian and Stefan summarise the past two days and review the key takeaways from the Summit. 

We will wrap up the day looking at the key takeaways of the discussions. In the spirit of the day, we will also collect input about which discussions need to be continued and about how to evolve the Tech Dialogue as a platform for exchange between technology thought leaders in the industry.