AECM Annual Event:
Berlin, 15-17 May 2025
“Future readiness of SMEs: what needs to be done”
Venue
ESMT Berlin, European School of Management and Technology
Schlossplatz 1 |
ESMT is located in the former seat of the GDR State Council. |
Hotel Recommendations
We are pleased to provide the following hotel recommendations conveniently located near the venue:
Capri by Fraser Berlin
- Room Rates: Studio Deluxe Rooms at €199.00 for single occupancy and €219.00 for double occupancy.
- Reservation Details: Available until April 23, 2025. Use code AECM2025 when booking via reservations.berlin@capribyfraser.com. Free cancellation is allowed until 14:00 (local time), 14 days before arrival.
Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte
- Room Rates: Superior Rooms at €149.00 for single occupancy and €169.00 for double occupancy.
- Reservation Details: Available until April 2, 2025. Use code AECM2025 when booking via
- ppwbres@parkplazagermany.com or contact +49 30 400 557 700. Free cancellation is possible up to 14 days before arrival.
Additional Options:
For more accommodation choices, consider the following hotels:
Our envisaged Speakers include:
Andrea Bomhoff
Head of Unit, State aid: case support and policy — Policy and Strategy, Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), European Commission
Astrid Bartels
Head of Unit, Access to Finance, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission
Marjut Falkstedt
Chief Executive of the , European Investment Fund (EIF)
Debora Revoltella
Chief Economist of the European Investment Bank (EIB)
Giorgio Chiarion Casoni
Director, InvestEU and financial institutions, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission
Koen Dierckx
Head of Unit, Budgetary guarantees and risk analysis, Directorate-General for Budget (DG BUDG), European Commission
Jonathan Denness
Head of Unit, Financial Instruments and International Financial Institutions Relations, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), European Commission
Gerhard Huemer
SMEunited, Director Economic and Fiscal Policy
Milena Angelova
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and SME Envoy of Bulgaria
Lucia Cusmano
Deputy Head of the Division on Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Tourism at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), OECD
Ralf Peter Kronberger
Head of Department, Fiscal & Tax Policy, Austrian Chamber of Commerce (wko)
Programme
Thursday15 May 2025 |
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08:30 – 09:00 |
Registration |
|
09:00 – 10:45 |
Board of Directors meeting– for AECM members of the Board only Interpretation: EN, FR, DE |
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10:45 – 11:00 |
Networking Break |
|
11:00 – 12:30 |
Meeting of the General Assembly– for AECM members only Interpretation: EN, FR, DE |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Networking Lunch |
|
14:00 – 17:00 |
Public session of the General Assembly “Building a more competitive and sustainable Europe”Interpretation: EN, FR, DE Presented by the Master of Ceremony, Kama Kępczyńska |
|
14:00 –14:05 |
Welcome & Opening
|
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14:05 –14:20 |
Keynote speech
|
|
14:20 – 15:20 |
Breakout Session: 2 to 3 introductory statements followed by a discussion (EN) Topic 1: “EU funding opportunities: supporting the growth of SMEs”
Topic 2: “How to enable affordable and sustainable housing”
Topic 3: “Providing solutions to address natural disasters”
Topic 4: “Best ways to support agriculture and to foster rural development”
|
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15:20 – 15:35 |
Keynote speech:
|
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15:35 – 15:50 |
Ismini Papakirillou, Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), Greece “Latest developments at HDB: new financial instruments” |
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15:50 – 16:20 |
Networking Break |
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16:20 – 16:30 |
Highlights from the Breakout Session |
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16:30 – 16:50 |
Fireside chat
|
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16:50 – 17:00 |
Concluding remarks:
and end of the public session |
|
18:30 |
Bus transfer from ESMT to Spindler & Klatt |
|
19:00 |
Gala evening: “Roaring Twenties” at Spindler & Klatt Dress code: 1920s style or smart casual |
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Friday16 May 2025 |
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08:30 – 09:00 |
Registration |
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09:00 – 16:30 |
Annual seminar on “Future readiness of SMEs: what needs to be done”Interpretation: EN, FR, DE Presented by the Master of Ceremony, Kama Kępczyńska |
|
09:00 – 09:15 |
Welcome & Opening:
|
|
09:15 – 09:45 |
Keynote speeches:
|
|
09:45 – 11:00 |
Topic: “How to unlock a more social economy”
Panel 1
|
|
11:00 – 11:30 |
Networking Break |
|
11:30 – 12:45 |
Topic: “Addressing the challenges of demographic change”
Panel 2
|
|
12:45 – 13:00 |
Group photo |
|
13:00 – 14:15 |
Networking Lunch |
|
14:15 – 14:30 |
keynote speech:
|
|
14:30 – 15:30 |
Breakout Session: 2 introductory statements followed by a discussion (EN) Topic 1: “The importance of advisory services”
Topic 2: “Capabilities to strengthen the defence sector”
Panel 3: “Guarantee programmes for development finance”
Panel 4: “Facilitate SMEs’ use of intellectual property rights”
|
|
15:30 – 15:45 |
Highlights from the Breakout Session |
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15:45 – 16:00 |
Keynote Speeches:
|
|
16:00 – 16:15 |
Presentation of and invite to the annual event of AECM in 2026 |
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16:15 – 16:30 |
Concluding remarks:
|
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16:30 |
End of seminar |
Fees and registration
-
AECM Seminar Fee – Member: EUR 390,00 pp
- AECM Seminar Fee – Non-Member: EUR 440,00 pp
Leisure programme
Thursday 15 May
6:30
Bus transfer from ESMT
7 p.m
Gala evening: “Roaring Twenties” at Spindler & Klatt, one of the most extraordinary locations in Berlin!
Köpenicker Str. 16-17 -17, 10997 Berlin
Dress code: Smart casual
Photos
In case of any questions please contact alice.awad@aecm.eu or info@aecm.eu