45th Congress of the Club of Logistics in Dresden with Record Participation

The 45th Congress of the Club of Logistics at the venerable Taschenbergpalais in Dresden earlier this week was themed “With High-Tech into the Future: The Next Big Things for the Logistics Industry,” and reported a record participation. Saxony’s Prime Minister did not miss the opportunity to personally welcome the high-profile participants. The individual discussion rounds hinted that the future and reality are already very close together. There is a change in the board. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Stich stepped down as deputy chairman and will be succeeded by Matthias Magnor.

By: Andreas Müller

(Dortmund/Dresden) The Club of Logistics was able to welcome numerous high-profile guests and participants at its second congress in 2025 (the 45th overall). Peter Voß, a board member and managing director of the Club of Logistics, proudly stated: “Never before in the nearly 25-year history of the club have we had so many registrations with 150 participants. Even at the cozy kickoff on Sunday evening, around 100 people were present, also a record.” The participants largely came from Germany, but overall from the entire DACH region.

Welcome by Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer

Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer personally honored the guests with welcoming words. In a brief conversation, interviewed by moderator Malte Fischer, editor of the business section of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), he answered questions quite freely. Among other things, he advocated for technological openness in the transformation of freight transport, although he emphasized electric mobility, which was well received by the participants.

The first day was filled with exciting discussion rounds. Moderator Malte Fischer managed to motivate the panelists to present bold theses. The state of the economy in Germany was critically examined, which seemed a bit too pessimistic to some participants. However, the problems are undeniable compared to other countries. The strongest votes were that there must be a reduction in bureaucracy and that there should be more technological decoupling from China and the USA. The really big visions were absent this time, as many recently drawn future models have come remarkably closer (e.g., the nascent quantum computing) or are on the way to realization (e.g., space-based solar energy).

Digitalization: Reality is Almost Catching Up with Vision

On the second day of the congress, individual members had the opportunity to present their services. It became clear that the decoupling demanded the day before is already underway. Exciting models were presented that showed a certain detachment is taking place. Innovative solutions from all areas were showcased. The Club of Logistics also has the slogan “Club of Visionaries,” and for many of these digital business models, it became clear that digitalization, supported by artificial intelligence, is developing so rapidly that reality is merging with the future and visions. The timelines from future vision to reality in the form of already implemented projects are almost seamlessly overlapping. What was a vision yesterday is already a fact tomorrow.

 Download the program with the individual topics and guests here

Board and first honorary member of the Club of Logistics (l.r.n.): Matthias Magnor (deputy chairman), Arnold Schroven (chairman), Peter Voß (managing director), and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Stich (honorary member)

Matthias Magnor Succeeds Volker Stich as Deputy Chairman

During the congress in Dresden, the annual meeting of the Club of Logistics was also held. The most important agenda item was the resignation of board member Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Stich (member of the presidium of FIR e.V. at RWTH Aachen), who had held the position of deputy chairman for a long time. Stich was succeeded by Matthias Magnor (chairman of the board / Chief Executive Officer and CEO of BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & Co. KG). His election was unanimous.

Arnold Schroven and Peter Voß Continue

Arnold Schroven (managing partner of Schroven Consulting GmbH) as chairman and Peter Voß (managing director of Denkmanufactur GmbH) will remain on the board of the club.

A proposal from the members for the introduction of an honorary membership was unanimously approved, and Volker Stich immediately benefited from it. He is now the first honorary member of the Club of Logistics.

Networking is highly valued in the Club of Logistics and had its special charm in the elegant Taschenbergpalais in Dresden

About the Club of Logistics e.V.

The Club of Logistics e.V. is the idea and impulse generator of the German and European logistics industry.

As a visionary think tank, it invites leading experts on all relevant trends and currents in society, economy, politics, and technology to its congresses to create a comprehensive information base, discuss crucial aspects and perspectives, and develop concrete concepts and action options for logistics companies.

The congresses also serve as a potent and efficient meeting platform for the most important societal forces and lead to sustainable networking of representatives from the logistics industry, science, technology, economy, politics, and culture. From these professional and personal connections, fields of expertise arise that can be utilized for mutual benefit and have direct impacts on the economy and society beyond improving the logistics situation.

Beyond the congress meetings and personal multiplier functions, the Club of Logistics disseminates its knowledge through various publications (e.g., a book series) to the public. It also promotes an improved image of the logistics industry within society.

The Club of Logistics e.V. is non-partisan.

https://www.club-of-logistics.net/

Photo: © Loginfo24 / Caption for the cover image (l.r.n.): Moderator Malte Fischer (NZZ) in conversation with Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of Saxony) and Volker Stich (deputy chairman of the Club of Logistics)