- Event: Handelskraft Konferenz 2026
- Date: March 4 and 5, 2026
- Location: Imaginata, Jena
- Occasion: 20th anniversary of dotSource SE
- Key Topics: Digital business models, Artificial Intelligence, market changes
Jena, February 24, 2026. The renowned “Handelskraft Konferenz” returns to its roots this year and will be held in Jena for the first time. On March 4 and 5, 2026, the City of Light will transform into a central meeting point for experts from trade and industry. The reason for the premiere at the founding location is the 20th anniversary of the Jena-based digital agency dotSource SE.
Digital Thought Leaders Meet at the Imaginata
For two days, Jena will become the hub of the digital trade world. In recent years, the Handelskraft Konferenz has established itself as an important supra-regional platform for exchanging ideas on current trends in e-commerce and digitalization. This year’s agenda includes highly topical subjects: the lectures and workshops focus on sustainable digital business models, the rapid rise and practical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the profound changes in global and local markets.
Representatives from well-known industrial and commercial companies are expected to share best practices and discuss the challenges of digital transformation. The event provides a stage not only for established corporations but also for innovative medium-sized businesses, which are strongly rooted throughout Central Germany and specifically in Thüringen.
A Location with Symbolic Character
With the Imaginata, the choice of location falls on one of the city’s most exciting event venues. The former substation in the north of Jena is known far beyond the city limits for its industrial charm and interactive experimentarium. The raw backdrop, characterized by historical industrial architecture, forms an attractive contrast to the state-of-the-art digital topics of the conference. This location impressively symbolizes the transition from classic industry to a modern knowledge and digital society – a development that the city of Jena has also undergone in an exemplary manner over the last few decades.
Bringing the event to Jena on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of dotSource SE underlines the company’s close ties to its founding location. Today, dotSource SE is one of the best-known digital service providers and a major employer in the Jena IT sector. The anniversary thus offers a double reason for celebration: for the company itself and for the technology location of Jena.
Impulses for the Local Economy
Large specialist conferences like this also have a massive impact on the local infrastructure. In addition to the professional input, the hotel and catering industry in Jena benefit from the numerous supra-regional guests. Furthermore, the presence of many industry experts offers excellent networking opportunities for Jena’s young talent in the fields of computer science, economics, and e-commerce – particularly for students at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität and the Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule.
The discussion about Artificial Intelligence and the digital platform economy falls on fertile ground in the city on the Saale. A high density of research institutions and technology-driven start-ups are concentrated here, all of which can benefit greatly from the impulses and knowledge exchange of such a networking event.
Outlook: Setting the Course for the Trade of Tomorrow
With the Handelskraft Konferenz 2026, Jena once again positions itself as a dynamic attraction for the digital economy. The insights from the two-day event will show how companies can hold their own in a market environment increasingly shaped by AI and automation. Further information on the program is available on the official website at konferenz.handelskraft.de.
We wish all participants inspiring lectures and a successful exchange in our city!
Source:
Handelskraft Konferenz returns to its roots
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.