Artificial intelligence, automation and digital communication channels are transforming the world of marketing at a rapid pace, and for businesses, the question is not just whether they need to change, but how quickly decisions are made. Under the theme ‘Decide rather than wait – companies evolve through the process’, the Programmatic Print Alliance (PPA) and the Media Production Trade Association (FMP) are inviting attendees to Petershagen on 15 and 16 October 2026 for the PPA Annual Event and the subsequent FMP Annual General Meeting.
Successful business development arises where decisions are made and new approaches are implemented. “We are currently experiencing a fundamental shift in communication. Today, content is created almost limitlessly and in a matter of seconds. Attention, by contrast, has become the scarcest resource. This is precisely why print is taking on a new strategic significance,” explains Rüdiger Maaß, Managing Director of the Programmatic Print Alliance and the Media Production Trade Association.
Relevance rather than reach
Digital communication generates enormous reach, and between news feeds, social media and AI-generated content, it is no longer the volume of information that matters, but its relevance. A high-quality print product can interrupt the constant flow of digital information and generate attention, credibility and perceived value. Programmatic print combines the data intelligence of digital communication with the impact of high-quality print products.
Practice, Strategy and Future Prospects
To kick things off, participants at the Wiegmann Dialogue will gain an insight into modern dialogue marketing processes, including a live demonstration. Following this, presentations and discussions at the Hotel Balkes Morhoff will explore prospects for future media productions. Dr Moritz von Stetten will use the ‘Strategic Foresight’ approach to demonstrate how companies can utilise future scenarios. Matthias Windolph (South Africa Travel) and Thorsten Kinnen (Konica Minolta Business Solutions) will use a campaign as an example to demonstrate how print and digital customer journeys can be integrated. Rüdiger Maaß will examine the development of programmatic print towards hyper-personalisation and explain why print is less a matter of technology and more a matter of positioning. Finally, Mirco Schindewolf explains why change processes depend on leadership and an understanding of different patterns of thought and behaviour. Alongside the specialist presentations, the event focuses on personal exchange. At the joint dinner and networking event on Thursday evening, printing and media companies will meet representatives from the client side.
General Meeting
On Friday, 16 October, the Annual General Meeting of the Media Production Trade Association (FMP) will take place. By combining the PPA’s annual event with the General Meeting, the PPA and the FMP are creating a platform for strategic future topics and practical applications.
Media Production Trade Association
Based in Rhineland-Palatinate, the FMP is an independent professional association that brings together expertise and knowledge on a wide range of aspects of the communications industry. The FMP’s primary role is to provide professional development in all areas of media and management knowledge relating to media production.
