Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann opened the reception and spoke in his speech about the current developments and prospects for Wolfsburg as a business location: "Wolfsburg stands for economic strength - and for the courage to actively shape change. In order to make our location fit for the future, we are acting decisively and with foresight: with targeted investments, new partnerships and concrete measures such as our 10-point plan. In this way, we are securing jobs, creating space for innovation and strengthening the economic identity of our city in the long term," says Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann. "Our location is a strong magnet for bright minds and courageous companies - this is where innovation meets can-do spirit. Anyone who wants to shape the future will find exactly the right environment here."

Volkswagen and Wolfsburg form a symbiosis

Other speakers on the evening were Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, and Daniela Cavallo, Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG. Together, they discussed the current situation in the automotive industry and Volkswagen's positioning in relation to its headquarters in Wolfsburg. Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Human Resources and Brand Group Trucks, said: "Volkswagen and Wolfsburg form a symbiosis. Wolfsburg is and will remain the headquarters of the Volkswagen Group and continues to be of central importance for the future development of the location. Together with the city, we are therefore working on a location concept that will further strengthen Wolfsburg in the future. As a strategic partner, we are jointly focusing on innovation and sustainable growth in order to further position Wolfsburg as a future-proof business location for national and global competition. Wolfsburg's development into one of the most sustainable cities in Germany underlines this impressively."

Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Brand Group Core, CEO Volkswagen Brand, explains: "The transformation of the automotive industry is shaping the Volkswagen brand and the Wolfsburg location. We have a clear plan and are securing VW's competitiveness and future viability with our Performance Program. Wolfsburg will remain the heart of the brand: Through important future projects such as the new, fully electric compact class, we are strengthening the importance of our home base in the long term."

Daniela Cavallo, Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council at Volkswagen, emphasizes: "The Works Council is working intensively on the ongoing restructuring at the Wolfsburg plant and throughout Volkswagen AG. A close exchange with the brand and Group Board of Management is very important here. Only together with employee and employer representatives as well as our employees will we succeed in transforming our company into a good future. Economic efficiency and job security remain equally important goals - as the negotiating partners have also confirmed with the collective agreement at the end of 2024."

Local supply and tourism

Niklas Daser, Managing Director Expansion at EDEKA Minden-Hannover, Friedrich W. Niemann, owner of mein.wolfsburg - hotel auf dem rittergut, and Claudia Nanau-Matharu, owner of the HEJ SKAT concept store, then came together for an entertaining discussion. The focus was on EDEKA's investment in the local supply location of Wolfsburg and Nordsteimke in particular, the current situation in tourism and the joint commitment of the stakeholders as well as the support of young founders at the location.

Jens Hofschröer, Head of Economic Affairs for the City of Wolfsburg and Managing Director of WMG, explains: "Wolfsburg stands for economic strength! Volkswagen and numerous strong companies from various sectors play a key role in shaping our business location and creating forward-looking prospects, even in turbulent times. Every year, we bring decision-makers together at the business reception to exchange ideas in person and network on the future topics of our city."

At the final get-together, the guests discussed current and future topics in Wolfsburg. The evening was hosted by Sina Tessnow.