The SHK+E EXPERT STAGE in Hall 1 is your go-to spot for new impulses within the HVAC and sanitary industry. Here, you can experience compact talks and engaging presentations on innovation, smart tools and forward-looking solutions – delivered by professionals who are shaping the sector every day.
The programme is complemented by specialist presentations from exhibiting companies in the start-up sector, who will be presenting their ideas, technologies and best practices. You can look forward to daily presentations on a variety of topics such as smart buildings, efficient energy management, recruitment and digital services, which will open up new perspectives for practical application.
Would you like to book a presentation slot? Apply here with your topic suggestion.
Short sessions – big impact:
In 20- to 30-minute talks, you will gain condensed knowledge, practical tips and new ideas to take straight into your daily work. Whether it’s trends, best-practice examples or concrete solutions, each session is designed to offer clear added value.
Perfect for networking:
The open stage in Hall 1 not only brings you high-quality content but also the opportunity to speak directly with the speakers. It’s an ideal setting for asking questions, exchanging views and making valuable new contacts.
| Tuesday, 17 March 2026: Heat pumps/PV, innovation & start-ups | |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Skilled trade services or just another seal? The ZVSHK quality mark Dipl.-Kauffr. Birgit Jünger, ZVSHK |
|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. |
Opening Messe Essen / Fachverband NRW / Jens Wischmann (VdZ) |
| 10:50 a.m. |
Start-up pitches Apollo Green Solutions, Auqa-Scope, autarc, CleverPV, Conmeet, Go German, Handwai, HeyTelo, meinGPT, Meister1, mercura, Pixolus, Schrottbienen, TillerStack, Unocconi, ZVTool |
| 1:00 p.m. |
ZIM as an innovation enabler – how SMEs can confidently use subsidies for innovation Marco Winiarski (VdZ / IBESS) & Dirk Bornhorst (elio / IBESS) |
| 12:25 p.m. |
Dimensioning of air-water heat pumps Joel Grieshaber (BWP) |
|
1:50 p.m. |
PVT collectors | Energy supply via the roof of the future Alban Heßberger (PA-ID PROCESS GmbH), Initiative integraTE-XL |
| 2:15 p.m. |
From concept to reality: Innovative PVT energy supply for new secondary school building Jörg Bandow (TWL-Technologie GmbH), Initiative integraTE-XL |
| 2:40 p.m. |
PVT heat pump without compromise: Use of PVT air-brine collectors as an alternative to air heat pumps in existing buildings Andreas Siegemund (Consolar Solare Energiesysteme GmbH), Initiative integraTE-XL |
| 3:05 p.m. |
The PVT system as a solution for replacing gas floor heating systems Marcel Kunz (Triple Solar GmbH), integraTE-XL initiative |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Existing building modernisation 4.0: How AI-based portfolio analysis and project management enable SHK companies to implement solutions efficiently Dr. Karsten Schmidt (Ampeers Energy / Open District Hub), Carlo Rosemann (Ampeers Energy / Open District Hub), Open District Hub e.V. c/o Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft |
| Wednesday, 18 March 2026: AI and digitalisation take the strain off skilled trades | |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Brainpower becomes muscle power – AI plans, your team achieves more! Tobias Pommer, Ainora |
| 10:25 a.m. |
Startup pitches Apollo Green Solutions, Auqa-Scope, autarc, CleverPV, Conmeet, Go German, Handwai, HeyTelo, meinGPT, Meister1, mercura, Pixolus, Schrottbienen, TillerStack, Unocconi, ZVTool |
| 11:25 p.m. |
The hacker's best friend: How managing directors endanger their companies and slow down growth Emanuel Lonz, CS-Lonz |
| 11:50 a.m. |
Digitalisation arrives on construction sites Christoph Ulland, Ulland GmbH |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Heating service on steroids – with AI assistants | Meister Wärme research project Dr. Henning Gandesbergen (ZVSHK / Meister Wärme), Kilian Schramm (Hans Schramm GmbH / Meister Wärme), Burckhardt Bonello (Lokalleads / Meister Wärme) |
| 1:25 p.m. |
What really costs time in heating installation – and how to get it back Florian Kriependorf, Schrottbienen |
| 1:50 p.m. |
AI in skilled trades and automation through AI Etienne Krause, Autarc |
| 2:15 p.m. |
Skilled trades don't have a digitalisation problem. They have a software problem. Benedickt Kisner, Conmeet |
| 2:40 p.m. |
What we've learned from 100+ AI rollouts Jan Sträter (meinGPT) & Marc Thormann (meinGPT) |
| 3:05 p.m. |
The revolution on the telephone: Telephone AI in the skilled trades Christopher Grittner, HeyTelo |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Mobile service, e-commerce, e-invoicing – digitally connected Alexander Mehrkens, pds GmbH |
| 3:55 p.m. |
Image recognition/AI for data collection Dr. Mark Asbach, Pixolus |
| Thursday, 19 March 2026: Consumption optimisation, building services engineering & construction | |
| 10:25 a.m. |
Startup pitches Apollo Green Solutions, Auqa-Scope, autarc, CleverPV, Conmeet, Go German, Handwai, HeyTelo, meinGPT, Meister1, mercura, Pixolus, Schrottbienen, TillerStack, Unocconi, ZVTool |
| 11:25 a.m. |
Dynamic hydraulic balancing with wireless thermostats Tristan Hinnah, DEOS AG |
| 11:50 a.m. |
Contracting as a growth model: Optimising consumption, modernising technology and opening up new business areas in the HVAC trade Peter Uenning, DEN |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Development of AI-optimised order acquisition for care bathrooms in connection with the ‘Construct-X’ research project Burckhard Bonello (Lokalleads / Construct-X) & Kilian Schramm (Hans Schramm GmbH) |
| 1:25 p.m. |
TGA at Goldbeck Florian Komrowski (Goldbeck) und Tobias Körkemeyer (Goldbeck), GOLDBECK GmbH |
| 1:50 p.m. |
BIM alone is not enough – QualityBIM is Ralf Kiryk, ARGE Neue Medien |
| 2:15 p.m. |
5 ideas on how to generate liquidity from poor service specifications and disrupted construction processes Alexander Schmitz (handwai) & Andreas Scheibe (continu-ing) |
| 2:40 p.m. |
Data glasses in the toolbox: Remote support and cognitive assistance for tradespeople with Osra+ Carmen Jesorsky, TillerStack |
| 3:05 p.m. |
Quotes in seconds instead of hours: End-to-end automation for your HVAC sales Lukas Bock, mercura |
| Friday, 20 March 2026: Marketing | |
| 10:25 a.m. |
Startup pitches Apollo Green Solutions, Auqa-Scope, autarc, CleverPV, Conmeet, Go German, Handwai, HeyTelo, meinGPT, Meister1, mercura, Pixolus, Schrottbienen, TillerStack, Unocconi, ZVTool |
| 11:25 a.m. |
More orders through SEO & AI Search: How craft businesses become digitally visible Tim Heidenreich, BRØRD |
| 11:50 a.m. |
How craft businesses can win predictable orders from the right region Matthias Skaletz, conversionmedia GmbH & Co. KG |
| * Presentations are subject to change without notice. | |
Plan your visit to the trade fair!
