The Event
The event will take place on 19th February from 9.30am at the Palais Niederösterreich Vienna, Austria. Showcasing the best of the best from 2025, the day is being co-hosted with the VNL – Verein Netzwerk Logistik, Österreich and the ASCII – Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria. Please get in touch to register you interest in attending or becoming a sponsor.
The ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence 2026 is a unique annual gathering for leaders from business, politics, and science to connect, exchange ideas, and shape the future of global value chains.
In one intensive day, we unite two powerful formats:
- The TransAtlantic Automotive Supply Chain Summit – latest developments in the automotive industry between Europe and the USA, with top international speakers.
- The prestigious ELA Awards Ceremony – celebrating Europe’s best logistics and supply chain projects in a high-profile evening event.
Why You Can’t Miss This Event
- High-level networking with decision-makers from both sides of the Atlantic.
- Strategic knowledge on trade policy, resilience, digitalization, and sustainability.
- International recognition for excellence in logistics and supply chain management.
- Exclusive atmosphere in Vienna – a neutral, central meeting point for Europe and the USA.
Who Should Attend
- CEOs, board members, and senior executives from OEMs and suppliers.
- Political and economic decision-makers shaping transatlantic trade.
- Leading researchers and innovators in logistics and mobility.
The Agenda
19th February 2026
09:30Reception of participants
Reception of Participants
10:30Welcome
- Markus Mau (President, ELA - European Logistics Association)
- Hildegard Müller (President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry)
- Hans Dieter Pötsch (Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Volkswagen AG)
12:00“Transatlantic trade in transition: status, challenges, and prospects for EU–US trade relations”
- Analysis of economic interdependence, trade policy dynamics, and regulatory tensions between the European Union and the United States.
- Current status and significance of transatlantic trade relations.
- Historical development & trade volume.
- Current challenges – from tariffs to CBAM to regulatory divergences
- Gabriel Felbermayr (Director, WIFO - Austrian Institute of Economic Research; Vice President, ASCII Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria)
- Julia Friedlander (Managing Director, Atlantik-Brücke)
12:30Lunch Break
Lunch Break
13:30“Strengthening the transatlantic partnership: Resilient value creation networks in a global environment – Decoupling without Deglobalisation”
- Nick Vyas (Academic Director MS Global Supply Chain Management)
14:00“Strategically Shaping Resilience in Automotive Supply Chains: Insights from Supply Chain Mapping and Risk Analysis”
This session presents applied insights from the ASCII.AC.AT initiative on enhancing resilience in EU–US automotive supply chains. Using advanced supply chain mapping and risk analytics, it illustrates methods for identifying vulnerabilities, modeling cascading effects, and establishing early warning indicators.
- Markus Gerschberger (Deputy Director, ASCII; Professor, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria)
- Veit Kohnhauser (Managing Director, VNL; Professor, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria)
14:40“Transatlantic supply chains: orientation, resilience, and best practices"
Panel discussion with brief input on potential for improvement in transatlantic supply networks. The focus will be on regulatory cooperation, promoting the circular economy and innovation, developing regional infrastructure, and best practices for strengthening resilience.
- Christian Bahoo (Global Head of International and Multilateral Affairs, BMW)
- Stephanie Hughes (Global Client Manager, A.P. Moller - Maersk)
- Philipp Pfister (Sector Vice President, Transporeon)
- Nick Vyas (Academic Director MS Global Supply Chain Management)
15:40Summary & Outlook
Summary & Outlook
16:00Meet & greet the Teams of the 6 top ELA Awards projects
including networking & exchange with wine tasting
17:00Admission to the ELA Awards Ceremony
Admission to the ELA Awards Ceremony
17:30Welcome
- Markus Mau (President, European Logistics Association)
- Franz Staberhofer (Vice President, ASCII; President, VNL)
Keynote
Seena Amidi (Managing Partner, EMEA, Plug and Play Tech Center)
Dinner & ELA Awards Ceremony
23:00End
End
Sponsorship Opportunities
The ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence 2026 is a unique annual gathering for leaders from business, politics, and science to connect, exchange ideas, and shape the future of global value chains.
Sponsorship Oppurtunities Contact
The Jury
All projects/professionals are submitted to an international jury, which consists of high-level practitioners in logistics from sectors in retail, industry, consulting, service providers and the academic world.
Each ELA member association can nominate one member of the jury who may commit for a period of three years as member of the jury (not mandatory).
The 2024 Awards
Winners 2024
Project of the Year 2024 : La Poste/Via Poste & Shippeo submitted by France Supply Chain by Aslog.
Paris, France – October 4, 2024 – Shippeo, the global leader in real-time transportation visibility, and La Poste France are thrilled to announce that their joint project, “Real-Time Visibility Control Tower,” has won the highly coveted European Logistics Project of the Year at the ELA Awards 2024 on October 3rd. The awards ceremony took place at the Bled Rose Hotel, in Slovenia following the Keep IT Simple 2024 conference, which focuses on
automation and digitalization in logistics and production.
This prestigious recognition highlights the transformative impact of the Real-Time Visibility Control Tower, an innovative transport management solution that has revolutionized logistics operations at La Poste France. The project showcases not only cutting-edge technological advancements but also a significant leap forward in operational efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
The Award of the Audience for Best Presentation goes to Żabka Polska Sp.z o.o
Their project was about “Automated Logistics in Żabka – Modern Logistics solutions for operational efficiency and sustainable development”
The “ELA Awards”- Project of the year is not restricted to manufacturing or commercial enterprises. Nominations are welcomed from the manufacturing sector, commercial enterprises, the service sector, the armed forces, the public sector or any logistics organisation. The Awards covers a large scope and achievement may be demonstrated by the integration or redesign of logistics functions by the innovative use of technology.
Submitted by PTL Poland
