Welcome by Siinda Chairman Jon Martinsen

Jon Martinsen

Keynote on Leadership that Influences : military command/leadership/management

The use of terms such as chief executive officer, division, or staff illustrates the profound impact that the military has had on the evolution of leadership and management in companies over the past century. In recent decades, though, military leadership has been associated with a more directive, traditional, and arguably outdated approach, particularly in Europe. A closer examination, however, reveals that Western armies have increasingly relied on decentralized leadership to address the growing complexity and ambiguity on the battlefield. Rapid technological developments further highlight the need to make high-risk decisions under conditions of uncertainty and time pressure. Since companies are increasingly facing similar challenges, there is much that the two sectors can learn from each other.

Patrick Hofstetter has been a lecturer in leadership and communication at the Military Academy (MILAK) at ETH Zurich since January 1, 2023. At the University of Lucerne, he also teaches leadership and management processes at bachelor's and master's level as well as in several continuing education courses, where he brings his interdisciplinary background and diverse practical experience.
After completing his Master of Science in Physics at the University of Bern, Patrick Hofstetter taught physics and mathematics as a high school teacher, then studied military sciences at the Military Academy at ETH Zurich and worked as a career officer in the Swiss Armed Forces in various leadership positions and in cadre training. For four years, he contributed to the 2017 army reform with the "Defense Careers" project. At the same time, he wrote his dissertation under Prof. Staffelbach at the Chair of HRM at the University of Zurich, which was awarded the Norbert Thom Foundation's Recognition Prize for outstanding dissertations in the field of public management / public business administration in 2017. From 2020 to 2022, Patrick Hofstetter was responsible for the digitalization of the University of Lucerne in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic and for the founding of the Continuing Education Academy at the University of Lucerne. His focus in teaching and research is on human factors in leadership, heuristic leadership processes, decentralized decision-making and leadership ethics.

Dr. Patrick Hofstetter

Leveraging AI and Data

In this session we explore leveraging AI and Data and share actionable strategies for harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and data-driven insights. Discover how to optimize your business operations, unlock valuable customer insights, and drive innovation in an ever-evolving digital landscape.!

Christian Ward

Unlock subscriber Growth and Retention

As the economy shifts from a 'growth at all costs' mindset to a focus on sustainable growth, businesses are rethinking their strategies. In this session, we'll explore the transition from prioritizing customer acquisition to emphasizing retention and expansion. We'll discuss how this shift is shaping business success and the strategies that support long-term customer relationships in today’s competitive landscape.

Michael Smink

Beyond the hype and buzzwords: How AI delivers real value to SMBs

While AI dominates the headlines, its practical application for small and medium-sized businesses often gets overlooked. This session dives into how AI can serve as a strategic and operational co-pilot for SMBs. Itzik Levy, vcita's CEO, will share first-hand examples and actionable insights on leveraging AI to drive growth.

Itzik Levy

Coffee break in exhbition area

Keynote on Hyperloop, the 5th mode of transportation

Smart Cities, New Technologies and Sustainability
In the exciting realm of urban development, the convergence of Hyperloop technology and smart cities is reshaping how we envision transportation and connectivity. The Hyperloop offers the promise of ultra-fast, sustainable travel, linking cities in unprecedented ways. When integrated into smart city ecosystems, this innovation can enhance efficiency, reduce congestion, and support a more sustainable future.

The vision of Swisspod is to change the way people travel by connecting every major city where distances and transportation ethics do not represent an obstacle. We envision a continental map of connections between major cities and transportation hubs that will facilitate collaboration, accelerate human progress, and create a more prosperous future for the generations to come.

Denis Tudor

The Role of Education in Digital Advertising: Empowering SMBs.

Session with Leadzai

João de Sousa Aroso

AI, Privacy and Competition: what are the key legal and compliance issues for Digital Marketing Agencies, Media and SaaS Companies ?

In today's dynamic digital landscape, AI-powered marketing, data privacy, and fair competition are top of mind for digital marketing agencies, media, and SaaS companies. The legal and compliance challenges revolve around navigating AI ethics, ensuring data protection and privacy, and adhering to new legislation such as accessibility. Collaborating and staying informed on these issues not only fosters a culture of trust with your customers and safeguards the integrity of your business.

James Ward

Automating and scaling your digital advertising business.

Automating and scaling your digital advertising business requires careful planning and the use of efficient tools to streamline processes and expand operations effectively. By implementing automation tools and strategies, you can efficiently manage large-scale campaigns and grow your business more efficiently.
Session with IPromote

Ben Barney

How to do business with the Public Sector ?

Maxime Duclaux, Public Sector & Partnerships Sales Director will present Solocal’s Public Sector strategy structured around a dedicated go-to-market and a SaaS platform.

He will discuss the main recipes that work in this sector : an understanding of the specific needs, a targeted marketing, an excellent customer service, strong relationships with the good stakeholders and a unique product.

Maxime Duclaux

Lunch and coffee in exhibition area

In partnership with Chargebee

Free afterrnoon networking time and 1 to1 meetings

Afternoon coffee break in exhibition area

For Siinda Members - Siinda General Assembly

Siinda Members will receive the agenda and the voting information prior to the General Assembly by email.

Cowboy Cookout

Indulge in a sublime culinary experience at Siinda Gourmet Beach Barbecue Evening partnered with Vendasta and Matchcraft. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Adriatic Sea, you can savor delectable grilled delicacies as the sun sets over the shimmering waters while networking and doing business in this special location. The chefs masterfully blend local flavors with international influences to create a menu that tantalizes the taste buds and awakens the senses, where every bite is a celebration of the rich flavors of the Adriatic coast. Seize this opportunity to mingle with like-minded individuals, soak in the beauty of nature, and create unforgettable memories with this Siinda Networking event, proudly partnered with Vendasta and Matchcraft.

Nightcap

The Siinda Nightcap is calling! Join us for a relaxed and fun gathering where you can grab a drink, enjoy great company, and soak in the atmosphere. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind after a day filled with valuable conference insights, share memorable moments, and connect with fellow attendees.

Siinda CEO Panel

This CEO panel discussion that brings together industry trailblazers and visionaries from the digital marketing and local media industry. Gain unique insights into the latest trends, strategies, and challenges facing businesses today as accomplished CEOs share their experiences and inspiration. Engage in lively exchanges and foster meaningful connections with like-minded professionals, as we collaborate towards mutual success in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Michal Wrzesinksi

Mihai Cristea

Sarah Pullen

John Goddard

Exclusive study on Customer Search Patterns and the DMA

Google has made modifications and adjustments in how it presents search results in Europe, in response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). To determine how consumers are responding (and whether Google is compliant) SIINDA and Near Media conducted an in-depth study on how consumers search for and select home service professionals in Germany, Ireland and France. This is not survey data, but actual behavioral findings. The session will explore how search behaviors differ across markets, including responses to ads, the Local Pack, organic results and branded results. We’ll also examine the impact of reviews, photos, websites and other page features and how they influence consumer click behavior and final decision-making. This is actionable information -- and the first time this data will be presented anywhere.

Greg Sterling

Stephanie Verilhac Marzin

Kimberli J. Lewis

AI Employees: Your Key to Unlocking ROI

Brendan King and Sandy Lohr reveal how AI is reshaping marketing — and operations — for agencies. Businesses are struggling with lead attribution and follow-up, seeing leads fall through the cracks before they can become customers. We’ll show how AI agents boost productivity, scale your business, and drive ROI without adding staff. By the end of this session you’ll know exactly what an AI agent is, and how to put it to use for you.

Brendan King

Sandy Lohr

Coffee break in exhibition area

Partnered with vCita.

Microsoft Advertising goes global to score local

Microsoft will host a fireside chat with a new agency partner from Croatia who has begun leveraging the network to serve their local SMB clients. The session will spotlight insights about the value of the network in Croatia by insights about a local case study but also reveal how the partnership started. To illustrate the opportunities ahead and how advanced a partnership can become, we invited another guest who started 6 years ago in Microsoft Advertising, like the Croatian agency, advertising for a handful of local SMBs in Germany. This Fireside Chat aims to provide firsthand insights of the partnership evolution from both entities and review the triumphs they've realized in cooperation with Microsoft Advertising and on behalf of their local SMB customers.

Mario Frančešević

Bartłomiej Majas

Thomas Dörner

Daniel Trost

Generative AI's Global Business Transformation: Navigating Changes in SMBs, Digital Agencies, and Local Search

In this session, we will explore the latest trends and innovations in Generative AI and its impact on organizations globally. Discover how companies are revolutionizing search by providing answers to questions, unlocking insights from unstructured data, enhancing creativity and personalization in marketing and sales, improving customer service with natural interfaces, and automating tasks with AI agents. The rapid pace of Generative AI adoption and innovation demands swift adaptation to leverage productivity and product gains for knowledge-based work. We will also address ethical considerations, risks, and job loss concerns in a globally regulated AI environment. Gain practical tips to help your company and clients successfully navigate this transformation.

Simon Greenman

Supercharging SME Revenue with Automated AI-Driven Advertising

Discover how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can unlock unprecedented revenue growth through the power of AI-driven advertising automation. This session will delve into the latest advancements in ad technology, demonstrating how automated advertising strategies are revolutionising the way SMEs target customers, optimise campaigns, and drive significant increases in revenue with minimal manual effort. Attendees will gain valuable insights into leveraging these tools to scale their businesses efficiently and stay ahead in a competitive market

Nick Sertis

SMB market trends and AI strategies for 2025

From social media’s increasing volatility to the complexities of ever-changing search algorithms, SMBs face new challenges when it comes to building their digital presence. Join this session to get the latest research into SMB market trends, and see how leading partners are leveraging AI to meet their clients' expectations head-on - creating more and higher-performing websites in a fraction of the time

Oded Ouaknine

Andrew Waite

Product Highlight on Pressing issues in Digital Marketing and Local Search

Session with Wix

Omer Vered

Lunch and coffee in exhibition area

Free afternoon time for 1-to-1 meetings

Regulatory overview : Where is the digital sector going?

The digital sector has been seeing a lot of new EU regulations in the past months, from the implementation of the DMA to the final adoption of the EU AI act last summer. and comeptition and court cass are also underway with the Google DOJ case and the recent European Court of Justice ruling on Google shopping.
Tune in to the Siinda Regulatory session to get insights of the impacts of these latest developments and sneak peek into the EU post-elections landscape and priorities.

Stephanie Verilhac Marzin

Farewell coffee break in exhibition room

Partnered with vCita.

Bus departure for Gala Dinner

A UNESCO World Heritage Gala Evening

Join Siinda for an exclusive Gala Evening Networking event, partnered with Yext, at the magnificent halls of Diocletian's Palace, one of the world's most remarkable and well-preserved complexes from the era of classical antiquity. Nestled within the old town of Split, Croatia, this ancient palace was initially built as a retirement residence for the Roman emperor Diocletian. Don't let the name fool you, though, as this structure is akin to a grand fortress, with half dedicated to Diocletian's personal use and the other half serving as a military garrison.

Immerse yourself in the rich history and architectural splendor of this UNESCO World Heritage site as you connect with industry leaders, partners, and Siinda members from around the globe. With its vast spaces and awe-inspiring setting, this venue sets the stage for an unforgettable evening of networking, collaboration, and inspiration partnered with Yext.

Networking breakfast

Peer Group Product meeting