17th International Day - Germany
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 09:00 – 17:00
Main Tower, Neue Mainzer Str. 52-58, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Please note: Participation is free of charge, but spaces are limited. We will contact you in advance to schedule your one-on-one meetings.
Limited Spots: Register Now!
To help us coordinate personalized consultations with country experts on the day of the event, please register no later than September 09, 2026 using the form below.
/ Expand Smarter, Scale Faster, Lead Stronger
Join ALTIOS, Helaba, and S-International Mittelhessen for an exclusive executive summit designed for CEOs, C-suite leaders, and Directors of International Expansion.
Gain strategic insights from global expansion specialists, engage in high-level discussions, and connect with influential decision-makers shaping the future of international business.
This high-impact, full-day event features expert panels, masterclasses, and one-on-one consultations—offering you practical guidance and powerful networking opportunities.
/ Key Areas of Focus
Gain the strategic advantage needed to expand globally. These core areas will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and connections to navigate international business landscapes successfully.
Discover how to evaluate and prioritize global markets based on demand, stability, competition, and fit with your product or service.
Learn how to choose between greenfield investment, partnerships, acquisitions, or export models—based on your goals and resources.
Understand the key criteria—such as cost structures, logistics, regulations, and local incentives—for selecting an efficient and scalable international production location.
Gain insights into sourcing, hiring, and retaining skilled talent abroad, including cultural integration and HR compliance.
Explore practical financing solutions tailored to global operations, including trade finance, foreign investments, and local banking structures
Learn how to protect your business from currency fluctuations, customs issues, regulatory hurdles, and supply chain disruptions.
Find out how to spot and assess acquisition opportunities that align with your strategic goals—and how to navigate cross-border M&A successfully.
11:00–17:00 | Individual Country Consultations (Duration: 30 minutes)
Take part in one-on-one, half-hour meetings with international market experts at dedicated country tables. Receive tailored advice on expansion strategies, market entry, and local business practices.
14:00 | Welcome Address
- Michael Sager, Deputy Bank Director & Head of Sparkassen/Mittelstand Bavaria/Baden-Württemberg, Helaba
- Klaus Maier, Partner, Altios Germany
- Heike Rudolph, Managing Director, S‑International Südwest
14:15 | Interview: World Tour with Kurtz Ersa – First-Hand Insights into Internationalization
Presented by Rainer Krauss (Ersa GmbH), moderated by Klaus Maier (Altios Germany)
15:00 | Networking Break
Make new connections in an informal setting with other executives, experts, and speakers.
15:15 | Presentation: Market Expansion in LATAM
Presented by Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
15:45 | Networking Break
Make new connections in an informal setting with other executives, experts, and speakers.
16:00 | Panel Discussion: Market Expansion in the USA
Presented by Läpple AG and Hammann GmbH / Comprex Moderated by Heike Rudolph (S-International Südwest) and Thomas Breitinger (Altios Germany)
16:45 | Networking Break
Make new connections in an informal setting with other executives, experts, and speakers.
17:00 | Executive Briefings
- Economic Outlook & Capital Markets – Dr. Gertrud Rosa Traud, Chief Economist, Helaba
- Germany’s Future: Geopolitics is key – Ralf Schuster, Geopolitical Strategist, Helaba
18:00 - 22:00 | Evening Reception
End the day in a relaxed atmosphere with engaging conversations and culinary delights in the charming Lampensaal of the Academy.
/ An Agenda Built for Global Ambition
Expanding internationally requires more than ambition—it demands the right strategy, insights, and partners. This event is designed to empower you with expert knowledge, practical guidance, and meaningful connections to help you scale globally with confidence and precision.
/ Key Partners
Helaba is the Landesbank for the Sparkassen in Hesse, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg and is closely integrated into the S-Finanzgruppe (SFG) in Germany. As a Landesbank, it serves Sparkassen in a wide range of business areas, particularly in international business, as well as customers in the upper SME segment and large customers. Internationally, it has branches in London, New York, Paris and Stockholm as well as representative offices in Madrid, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.
Thanks to the expertise of its advisors, Helaba offers a wide range of banking and financial services to its own corporate customers as well as to Sparkassen and their SME customers.
Since its founding in 2006, S-International Mittelhessen has been a regional partner in international business. The affiliated savings banks value its tailored solutions for the global financial sector; its clients range from local providers to global market leaders. S-International Mittelhessen’s portfolio includes consulting and processing for international business—ranging from documentary credit transactions and foreign trade financing to international payments and interest rate and currency management.
/ Media Partners & Sponsors
S-CountryDesk is the international network of the Sparkassen Financial Group. Here, specialist knowledge from many partners at home and abroad comes together and is bundled into a complete service package. Easy to use via the free app S-weltweit: www.s-weltweit.de
Coface is one of the world’s leading companies in trade credit insurance, business information and debt collection. With more than 100 years of experience in credit and risk management, Coface supports 100,000 companies in around 200 markets.
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the foreign trade agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. With over 50 locations worldwide and its partner network, GTAI supports German companies on their path abroad, promotes Germany as a business location and accompanies foreign companies in settling in Germany.
German Centres – The perfect match from the start – German Centres accompany companies in growing internationally. In a building with diverse infrastructure, flexible coworking and office environments, we create the framework in which companies can exchange ideas, collaborate and develop. Our locations are where companies find exciting target markets and ideally have a partner who supports them in all phases of internationalization. This is where we come in: On-site abroad, we accompany with everything companies need to start and grow successfully. The locations of our German Centres are in Singapore, Mexico, Beijing, Shanghai and Taicang. More than 3,500 companies have already used this opportunity since 1995. We match. You grow.
East Asia Association (OAV) – Since its founding in 1900, the East Asia Association has been active as a business association with much experience, commitment and excellent contacts for its members. As the largest of the country associations, more than 800 members are organized in the OAV. This includes around 500 corporate members from all sectors across Germany, such as representatives of large industrial corporations, medium-sized manufacturing companies, trading companies, banks, insurance companies as well as numerous service companies. The common interest is the Asian-Pacific region: The OAV offers both Asia-experienced companies and newcomers the ideal platform for cross-industry exchange of experience and a comprehensive practical service offering.
The Latin America Association (LAV) is a network for those interested in Latin America. It supports and connects interested individuals with its members, facilitates contact with new partners, and fosters dialogue with national and international political, social, economic, and cultural institutions in the various countries of Latin America. In addition, the LAV collects relevant information on each country to help shape public opinion about the region. The association promotes exchange and understanding with Latin America and the Caribbean at all levels.
Frankfurter Sparkasse was founded in 1822 and is now the market leader in retail banking in the Rhine-Main region. As part of the Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Group and together with its partners in the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, it offers a full range of financial services for individual, commercial, and corporate customers. It advises customers with empathy and expertise and is there for them both in person and online: through its extensive network of branches and advisory centers, by phone, and on the Internet. Together with its foundations, Frankfurter Sparkasse has always taken on sustainable responsibility for people, businesses, and the environment in the region.
/ Location
Directions & Parking
The MAIN TOWER is located right in the heart of downtown Frankfurt; it’s hard to miss and easily accessible by all modes of transportation. We look forward to your visit.
From Frankfurt-Rhein-Main Airport Take the S8 toward Hanau or the S9 toward Offenbach Ost to the Taunusanlage station. From there, it’s about a ten-minute walk to the MAIN TOWER.
From Frankfurt Central Station or the Rhine-Main region the best way to reach the MAIN TOWER is by RMV S-Bahn.
From Central Station it’s just one stop: Take S-Bahn lines S1 through S9 (toward the city center) to the Taunusanlage station. From there, it’s just under a ten-minute walk to the entrance of the MAIN TOWER. You can find the current schedule on the RMV website.
By car take the A66, exit at Miquelallee, or from the A5 toward Westkreuz onto the A648. From there, head toward Frankfurt – City Center – Messe and follow the signs toward the main train station. Then turn left onto Mainzer Landstraße, then right onto Junghofstraße, and finally right again onto Neue Schlesingergasse.
Parking Garages The MAIN TOWER parking garage is not open to the public. However, you’ll find several other parking garages in the immediate vicinity. The Junghofstraße parking garage, for example, is just around the corner. It’s best to follow the current directions provided by the parking guidance system.