Day one: energy, momentum and getting started at Realize LIVE Europe
Realize LIVE Europe brings people together for a few busy days of sessions, conversations, and hands‑on learning.
I’m here capturing what’s happening as it unfolds — the moments between sessions, the conversations people are having, and the ideas starting to take shape.
Here’s what day one, with everything just getting started, looked like on the ground.
Before the mainstage lights were even on, there was already movement. The foyer queue ebbed and flowed, much like the coffee. People arriving, reconnecting, finding their way. That familiar first‑day energy — part curiosity, part catching up, part planning how to make the most of the next few days.
And it didn’t take long to get going.
Hands-on training
Hosted in brand new structures with a space-age feel but modern day acoustics, the sessions were busy from 9am. The focus for the morning was diving in to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio with:
- Training sessions underway – 18 to choose from on day one
- Product keynotes sharing roadmaps and developments
- Solution Center zones diving deeper into content
I had a clear set of sessions to hit from the start, but it’s been great to catch up with some of the other attendees and make some time for conversations. The start to Monday with technical sessions ahead of the mainstage session after lunch means I can do both.
With space for learning, sharing, networking and playing, this is an event built on doing, not just listening.
Braindate Lounge – new for 2026
New for 2026 is the Braindate Lounge – a peer-to-peer topic-led networking space. We hosted over 12 sessions today including country meetups, technical deep-dives, first-timer attendees sessions and the most popular session of the day: Women in STEM.
There are many more opportunities this week to meet like-minded attendees and share experiences on a range of topics.
Bringing it together on the mainstage
The General Session set the tone for what’s to come with host Magnus Edholm joined on stage by Tony Hemmelgarn, President and CEO Siemens Digital Industries Software, and Sandrine Ledru, Executive Vice President from OPmobility.
- Data needs to be connected and trusted before anything is built
- Learning and prediction come before execution
- Clarity matters when change is constant
AI is grounded in engineering truth, and that’s when clarity becomes a competitive advantage.
Tony Hemmelgarn, CEO Siemens Digital Industries Software
Tony was joined on stage by IFS CEO Mark Moffat, where they announced an exciting new partnership and you can read more on our news page.
Sandrine from OPmobility followed and shared how for them complexity is all part of the day-job. For them digital continuity is the only way to master complexity. They have gone from end-to-end part development taking five years now down to 15 months, and with 1 in 3 cars on the road today having a part from OPmobility you can begin to glimpse the level of complexity they face. They launch a new part every two days! If you missed it, this session will be available in the content library later this month.
A demonstration of how organisations move faster, and with confidence.
Moments that stood out
Keshav Sundaresh treated the SIM keynote to a song:
I love it when you call me simulation
Comprehensive digital twin simulation
Every prediction’s ooh la la la
It’s true la la la
Oh let’s simulate now
Let’s simulate everything
Land in Amsterdam
For Realize Live Europe
Convergence… of
Simulation, HPC and AI
Simcenter oh la la la , yeah, oh
Faster engines
Smarter execution
Trusted outcomes
All…. with Siemens la la la
Simulation oh La la la yeah
I love it when you call me simulation
Comprehensive digital twin simulation
Every prediction’s ooh la la la
It’s true la la la
Oh let’s simulate now
Let’s simulate everything
End of day one
Day one sets the direction, but it didn’t end with the sessions. The Solutions Center doors were open for a networking reception, digest the days content, dive into some more details and catch up with the Siemens ecosystem. And play some games!
Day one sets the direction. It’s where everything starts — understanding what’s possible, seeing what’s out there, and beginning to make connections. Today feels like that moment where ideas are just starting to form. Tomorrow usually goes a step further.
From what is this?
To how do we make this work?
