Program

Our Program 2026

US Midterm Elections – A Pivotal Vote for Europe as well
The US midterm elections are far more than a domestic political barometer – they set the parameters that will also have significant consequences for Germany and Europe. Regardless of the outcome, one question remains decisive: Will Europe finally build on its strengths, expand its defense capabilities, and establish new partnerships? Just two days after the midterms, we warmly invite you to discuss these and other questions with us.

9.30 am

Welcome and opening speech by

Ralf Lochmüller,
Founding Partner and CEO, Lupus alpha

In Focus: US Midterms – New Rules for Geopolitics and the Global Economy

9.50 am

Keynote

The Future Is Made of Courage – Europe Must Act Now

Growing distance from the US is increasing pressure on Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities and forge new alliances.

Dr. Florence Gaub, Director,
NATO Defense College Rom

in conversation with Corinna Wohlfeil, TV journalist, ntv

10.45 am

Coffee break

11.15 am

Discussion Panel

Midterms in the US – Endgame in Germany
Politics and the economy are drifting apart: what will it take to finally break the deadlock?

Prof. Lars P. Feld, Chair of Economic Policy and Ordoliberalism, University of Freiburg
Robin Alexander, political journalist, podcast „Machtwechsel“
Susanne Wiegand, Supervisory Board Member & Investor

in conversation with: Corinna Wohlfeil, TV journalist, ntv

In Focus: A Turning Point for Institutional Portfolios

12.15 pm

Investment Spotlight

The End of the Balanced Portfolio
For decades, certain fundamental assumptions held true: bonds provide returns and offer diversification, volatility and value-at-risk measure risk, and correlations are relatively stable – but a future inflation scenario changes everything!

Alexander Raviol, Partner, CIO Derivative Solutions, Lupus alpha

12.45 pm

Lunch break

In Focus: Volatile Capital Markets – Returns Require Patience

2.00 pm	Trend Presentation Uncertainty as an Economic Factor – How Expectations Drive Markets Recent developments in the United States offer valuable insights for Europe. Prof. Rüdiger Bachmann, Professor of Economics, University of Michigan and until 2025 at University of Notre Dame In conversation with Dr. Melinda Crane, TV commentator
3.00 pm	US-Spotlight From Rising Player to Top Endowment How USD 2.5 billion grew into more than USD 21 billion in assets under management. Erik Lundberg, CIO, University of Michigan In conversation with Dr. Melinda Crane, TV commentator
4.00 pm	Coffee Break
4.45 pm	Investors’ Panel with TED Setting the Course: Asset Allocation 2027 The traditional investor panel, including live TED voting on market expectations for the coming year. Britta Weidenbach, Managing Partner and CIO, AURETAS family trust Steffen Sihler, Head of Capital Investments – Liquid Assets, Private Markets and Strategy, SV SparkassenVersicherung Oliver Schmidt, CIO, Metzler Asset Management Dr. Götz Albert, Managing Partner, CIO, Lupus alpha Moderation: Corinna Wohlfeil, TV journalist, ntv
5.45 pm	Future talk Ready for Liftoff: Aerospace – Made in Germany From vision to value creation: what space startups need to scale successfully in Germany. Walter Ballheimer, Founder and CEO, Reflex Aerospace Sebastian Klaus, Co-Founder and CEO, ATMOS Space Cargo In conversation with Thomas Jahn, Head of Technology Team, Handelsblatt
6.30 pm	Reception followed by Dinner

Program

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