Marco: Why did the event work so well?
Because everything came together perfectly. With THE FUTURE IS WILD, we had a clear theme and a topic that resonates with many people. Add to that great speakers, a varied programme and guests who actively got involved. At the same time, the event was firmly rooted in practical reality. We weren’t talking about visions of the future somewhere on the distant horizon, but about issues that companies are dealing with today. That’s exactly what sparked so many conversations.
What’s often underestimated is the sheer amount of detailed work that goes into an event like this. Everything has to work together, from the programme and its structure to the on-site setup. We invested a lot of time in creating a common thread that ran throughout the entire day, from the content to the signage. In my view, that effort absolutely paid off.
The event came close to the 200-guest mark. When did you realise this was going to be something big?
Actually, shortly after the doors opened. The hall filled up quickly, conversations started happening everywhere, and you could immediately feel the energy in the room. The opening with the robot Henrietta was a real test of nerves at first. But once I realised that the audience was engaged and curious, a lot of the tension started to fade. When the first keynote began and the guests were listening attentively, I knew things were going well.
Reaching 200 guests was a very ambitious goal for us. I’m particularly pleased that we came so close, with 197 attendees. Even more important, though, was the quality of the encounters and conversations.
You were both the organiser and the host. How many nerves did this day cost you?
(Laughs.) Quite a few. As an organiser, you always have a checklist running through your head. Is the technology working? Have all the speakers arrived? Are we on schedule? Especially in the final hours before the start, there were moments when I thought: I really hope everything works out as we planned.
But after the dress rehearsal the evening before and the team briefing that morning, I gradually became more relaxed. Still, my nerves were on edge just before stepping onto the stage for the first time. With every successful stage of the programme, I relaxed a little more and was increasingly able to enjoy the day myself. The great thing about being a host is that you get to experience so many encounters and reactions up close.
Is there a moment you particularly enjoy looking back on?
There are several. But one that really stands out is the closing session of the day, the Co-CEO Board. Many guests came for robotics, digitalisation or automation. Yet during the drinks reception afterwards, people were discussing the conversation with Raphael Schärer, Swen Fürer and Roger Eberle just as intensively.
Why do you think that was?
Because the discussion was thoughtful and honest. Raphael Schärer, Swen Fürer and Roger Eberle spoke openly about why they had chosen the co-leadership model, how decisions are made and what happens when three people share responsibility. It wasn’t a theoretical management talk that merely scratched the surface. It was a deep dive into topics that matter to the audience, too: leadership, trust and collaboration, along with everything that comes with them and the considerable time and resources they require.
The session showed that, ultimately, behind all the innovation, there are always people who make the difference. That clearly resonated with the audience and gave the event an additional, very personal dimension.
And then the event was over. Or perhaps not quite ...
That was something we were absolutely delighted about. Of course, you receive feedback from people at the event itself. What was particularly interesting, though, was what happened afterwards. Many guests, partners and speakers shared their impressions on LinkedIn or got in touch with us personally. The response was consistently positive.
That shows the event didn’t just work on the day itself, but continued to have an impact afterwards. Naturally, that’s what you hope for. But you can never really control whether it happens.
How important was the team to the event’s success?
The most important factor! Without the team, we simply couldn’t have pulled off an event of this scale. Everyone contributed in some way, from planning and setting up to looking after guests and taking part in the programme, whether as speakers or at the Market Place showcasing our products and solutions.
It was particularly rewarding to see everyone pulling together, even when things didn’t go according to plan and required extra effort. That made the sense of pride across the team after the event all the greater.
I was also impressed by how present and engaged the team was throughout the day. Our colleagues looked after guests, held conversations and helped bring the event to life. You could really feel how much it meant to them.
What stays with you a few weeks later?
Above all, the many encounters. The conversations with guests, partners and speakers. Many of those conversations continued afterwards and are now becoming more concrete. Naturally, that makes us very happy.
What also stays with me is the confirmation that personal interaction is incredibly important in an increasingly digital world. The _ae OPEN DAY showed just how much can happen when people come together, share knowledge and engage in conversation. That’s exactly what we stand for at aerne engineering. And that’s why we’ll continue to organise events like this in the future.
So, is there going to be another one?
Never ever ... (laughs.)
No, seriously: shortly after the event, we all needed a moment to catch our breath. An event of this scale requires an enormous amount of manpower, all on top of our day-to-day business.
However, the many positive responses showed us that the _ae OPEN DAY struck a chord. So, one thing is clear: this wasn’t the end. We’ll see what form it takes next. Exactly what the next edition will look like is still an open question.
What is certain is that, under the _ae OPEN DAY name, we want to continue bringing people, ideas and technologies together in the future. After all, the future remains exciting. And wild.
Your personal takeaway from the day in one sentence?
When you look out from the stage and see people listening, discussing, connecting and inspiring one another, you know exactly why every extra hour invested was worth it.
