BVL Supply Chain CX: Starting signal for new format with new concept

For the first time, there will be a distinction between a congress area and an expo area, which will also be accompanied by different ticket options. BVL Managing Director Christoph Meyer: "The event's target group has been significantly expanded overall - on the one hand to include younger specialists and managers, and on the other to include new areas that make supply chains possible in the first place - HR, IT, tech companies and insurance companies. We have already grown significantly compared to the last congresses and have started to utilize the potential at the Estrel. In light of the current economic situation and our limited capacities as an association, we are very satisfied with this year's first edition of BVL Supply Chain CX."

Top-class speakers from politics and business

Top speakers in the congress area include Dr. Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL, Jens Spahn, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Ilse Henne, Member of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp AG, Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, CEO and Scientific Director of the German Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, Kay Schiebur, Member of the Executive Board of the Otto Group and Dr. Karsten Schwarz, CEO of DPD Germany. Director of the German Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, Kay Schiebur, Member of the Executive Board of the Otto Group and Dr. Karsten Schwarz, CEO of DPD Germany.

The traditional highlight is once again the presentation of the German Logistics Award on Wednesday evening, followed by a varied networking night for the congress guests. All BVL Supply Chain CX participants will then meet up on Thursday evening for the big CX party in the Expo Area. Networking is a particular focus of the event, with numerous offers such as moderated connect tables, appointments for young professionals or the Ladies in Logistics as well as a practical matchmaking function in the new BVL Events app.

Logistics sector: bottom reached, but stagnation expected in 2025

The Chairman of the BVL, Kai Althoff, presented the state of logistics in Germany. As the third-largest economic sector after retail and the automotive industry, it accounts for around eight percent of Germany's economic output at around 330 billion euros and represents 25 percent of the European logistics market. Growth in the economic sector in Germany has recently been very weak (nominally 1.2% in 2024) and even declining in real terms (-3% in 2024). According to the figures presented today, the logistics experts expect nominal growth of 1.3% in 2025, which corresponds to stagnation in real terms (-0.1%).

Kai Althoff: "Of course we would like to see more growth, but at least we seem to have bottomed out now. We are also seeing positive signs again: According to the BVL and ifo Institute's logistics indicator, the business climate and expectations are above the business situation for the first time in three years. Overall, the logistics sector in Germany is well positioned to remain a mainstay of the German economy in the future and to expand this role even further. The logistics experts predict that German logistics will maintain its leading position in this area worldwide with its industry-specific innovations, for example in the field of automation. Logistics can also make its contribution to achieving the goals in the area of sustainability. We expect a recovery with new growth in 2026."