General Session at Realize LIVE: Where digital transformation takes center stage 

At Realize LIVE, the General Session brings together the voices, ideas and technologies shaping the future of industry.  Our event host Magnus Edholm met Adam Shepherd from Northrup Grumman to talk about the keynote experience at Realize LIVE.

Listen to the interview here:

From engineering and manufacturing to product lifecycle management and Industrial AI, the General Session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leaders who are applying digital transformation to real-world challenges. It’s where strategy meets experience — and where attendees can learn how companies across industries are turning innovation into action. 

As Siemens’ global digital transformation event, Realize LIVE connects professionals from around the world through thought leadership, technical learning, hands-on training, networking and expert engagement. And at the center of that experience is the General Session. 

Why the General Session matters 

The General Session is more than a keynote platform. It is where attendees gain a broader view of the trends, technologies, and business priorities driving change across industries. 

In a recent Realize FIVE podcast, former General Session speaker Adam Shepherd of Northrop Grumman highlighted one of the event’s biggest strengths: the ability to learn from organizations outside your own industry. Whether companies are building aircraft, scaling advanced manufacturing or modernizing enterprise processes, many are working through similar challenges around data, collaboration, speed and complexity. 

That cross-industry perspective is what makes the General Session so valuable. It helps attendees discover new approaches, challenge assumptions and take fresh ideas back to their own teams. 

2026 Lineup taking shape 

The General Session lineup for Realize LIVE Americas is already beginning to take shape, with announced speakers including  John “Jay” B. Rogers, Jr., CEO & Co-Founder of Haddy, and Ed Pleet, Chief Technology Officer at Shape Corporation. Together, they bring valuable perspectives on advanced manufacturing, innovation and engineering leadership, highlighting how digital transformation is creating impact across industries. 

For Realize LIVE Europe, announced speakers include Inga Gorbunova of Nikon SLM Solutions, Sandrine Ledru of OPmobility, Daniel Damson and Jonathan Cooper of Rolls-Royce, and Aristóteles Terceiro Neto of Vivix Vidros Planos. Their experience spans industrial transformation, lifecycle management, digital thread strategy and enterprise innovation — with more speaker announcements still to come. 

More than inspiration 

What happens on the General Session does not end when the session does. 

One of the biggest advantages of Realize LIVE is the opportunity to continue the conversation — with peers, experts, partners and presenters. The ideas shared on stage often lead to deeper discussions, new connections and practical next steps that continue well beyond the event itself. 

That is what makes Realize LIVE more than a conference. It is a place to engage with a global community focused on digital transformation and continuous innovation. 

Turn insight into action 

The General Session is only one part of the Realize LIVE experience. Attendees can also explore: 

• Hands-on training 

• Technical sessions 

• The Solution Center 

• Industry HQ 

Together, these experiences help attendees connect strategic ideas with practical execution. 

Join us at Realize LIVE 

If you want to hear how industry leaders are using digital transformation to solve complex challenges, improve performance and shape what comes next, the General Session is the place to start. 

Explore the agenda, discover the speakers and register for Realize LIVE Americas . 

Don’t just hear about the future of industry — experience it live.