11th Call for Speakers contest: Share your insights at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027
The 11th edition of our Call for Speakers contest is open for submissions. Participate and compete for a chance to share your real industry experiences and practical lessons on stage at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027, taking place on February 17-18.
In just a few months, thousands of professionals from across Europe will gather for the E-commerce Berlin Expo, one of the biggest B2B exhibitions & conferences focused on online retail. With a forecasted 14,000 visitors including C-level e-commerce experts from Germany and beyond, 320 exhibitors, and 4 conference stages, it’s where the ideas, people, and innovations shaping the future of digital commerce come together.
Through our Call for Speakers contest, industry professionals get a chance to compete for a place in our conference programme, which gives them the possibility to share insights coming from their years in the e-commerce business.
We’re looking for the talks that move e-commerce forward. No generic trend talks or product pitches. No buzzwords without substance. We want real experiences, evidence and practical lessons based on the decisions you made, what you implemented, what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned along the way. Practical. Evidence-based. Real-world. We want you to tell us the story behind the result, not just what the outcome was.
Through the competition, 24 winners will be chosen to share their real insights during the conference. You can be one of them.
Learn why it’s worth it and what the competition process looks like.
What winners gain
Winning a spot on one of the stages at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027 is more than a title. It’s a launchpad for your voice, your company, and your personal brand. Here’s what’s waiting for you as a winner:
- Spotlight & recognition
Step onto the stage and let the e-commerce industry see your expertise. This is your moment to be recognized as a genuine thought leader among many professionals gathered at E-commerce Berlin Expo.
- Global reach
While our event takes place in Berlin, it is visited by many international visitors. Gain their interest with your talk and open the door to new cross-border opportunities.
- Networking
Meet founders, innovators, and industry leaders whose connections can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
- Promotion & visibility
Get featured across our social media, website, and communications, putting your ideas directly in front of the right audience: before, during, and after the event.
- Recording of your talk
Walk away with a professional recording of your session, so your expertise keeps working for you long after you leave the stage.
- Exclusive invitations
Gain entry to invite-only parties, side events, and year-round community initiatives created specifically for thought leaders like you.
- VIP event access
Enjoy VIP treatment for yourself and your colleagues, making the very most of your Expo experience.
- Prestige
The contest has always been a highlight of the E-commerce Berlin Expo, with winners representing some of the most renowned companies. Just last year, the list of winners included speakers from brands such as Zalando, MediaMarktSaturn and HelloFresh. If you win, you’ll join the best of the best, further establishing your position in the industry. See the past list of winners from the previous year here.
As you can see, what you can win isn’t just a speaking slot – it’s recognition, reach, and lasting momentum for everything you’ve worked to build. Take the chance to speak at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027, and let the industry see what you’re capable of.
How the competition works
The Call for Speakers contest is designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and rewarding experience for all participants. Anyone with a valuable story to share is welcome to apply, regardless of previous involvement with the E-commerce Berlin Expo. The competition is completely free of charge – both for contestants and the winners. Here’s how it works:
- Submissions (September 1 – 18, 2026, 17:00 CET)
You can send us your proposal free of charge starting September 1. The submission deadline is September 18, 17:00 CET.
Entries can be submitted in English or German across 9 categories:
- Growth, Acquisition & Conversion
- Customer Experience, Loyalty & Retention
- Product, Merchandising & Commercial Strategy
- Operations, Fulfillment & Profitability
- Technology, Platforms & Payments
- Marketplaces, Channels & Customer Access
- International & Cross-Border Growth
- Strategy, Transformation & Business
- People, Leadership & Organisation
- Profile updates (September 1 – 22)
After sending your submission, you’ll get a link from us asking you to add more details. Take time to fill it out. The more detailed it is, the easier it will be to see why your idea matters.
- Public voting (September 23 – October 9, 17:00 CET)
Once submissions close, the public gets a say in choosing who they want to hear at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027. Each LinkedIn-verified user can cast one vote per category – but don’t worry if you don’t get the most votes; you can still get to a stage if you’ve submitted a convincing proposal. Of the 24 winners, 15 will be selected by our Advisors regardless of the number of public votes they receive.
- Advisory voting: top picks & wildcards (October 12-19)
The top 5 submissions in each category will advance to our industry Advisors, who will select 1 winner per category. In addition, they’ll spotlight 15 exceptional proposals to join the stage lineup – regardless of whether they received any public votes. This Wildcard approach gives every standout idea an equal opportunity to be recognized and heard.
Each year among our Advisors we have independent top industry experts who help us decide which ideas should definitely make it to our stages. This year’s proposals will be assessed by, among others:
- Volker Harbrecht, Head of eCommerce DACH, Meta
- Iskra Velichkova, Senior Director Marketing, PayPal
- Rad Jha, VP Supply Chain, flaconi
- Christoph Sterkel, Head of B2B, D2C, Marketplace eCommerce Europe, Kellanova
- Fernando Veiga Fonseca, VP of Engineering & Data, C&A
Advisors assess proposals based on their relevance, clarity, and practical value. They look for sessions that address a specific, current e-commerce challenge and offer substantial, original insights backed by real-world experience, data, or examples. Proposals should clearly communicate what attendees will learn and how they can apply it, while keeping the focus educational and not promotional.
In addition to the criteria above, Advisors may consider the overall strength and suitability of a proposal for inclusion in the conference programme. This may include the potential interest of the session for attendees, the distinctiveness of the proposed content and its fit within the overall event scope and programme. Advisors may use its professional and editorial judgement when making its recommendations.
- Final decision (October 21)
On this day, all winners will be announced and contacted by the organizer. We will also publish the official list on E-commerce Germany News.
How to prepare a strong proposal
A compelling proposal should be timely, relevant, and focused on solving a real challenge. It should present a clear point of view, be grounded in practical experience, and offer insights that attendees can actually apply. We’re looking for ideas that tackle current industry issues, challenge conventional thinking, and leave the audience with something valuable to take away.
What to include in your submission:
- Lead with a clear challenge or question. What problem are you tackling, and why is it particularly relevant right now?
- Stay focused. A strong, specific topic is more impactful than trying to cover multiple trends or themes at once.
- Draw on real-world experience. Share decisions you made, actions you took, experiments you ran, changes you introduced, or lessons learned from a situation you experienced firsthand.
- Back it up with evidence. Where possible, include data, results, examples, or a concrete case study to support your story.
- Make the value clear. Attendees should quickly understand what the session is about and what they will learn or be able to apply afterwards.
- Keep it non-promotional. References to your company, product, or solution should add context to the story – not become the story itself.
The most compelling submissions go beyond telling us what’s happening in e-commerce. They show what you did, what happened, what you learned, and why those lessons matter to others.
Looking for inspiration? See conference videos from E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 here.
Submit your entry
If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to share your knowledge with one of Europe’s largest and most engaged e-commerce communities, this is your moment. The 11th edition of the Call for Speakers gives you the opportunity to shape the industry conversation, share your perspective, and inspire thousands of e-commerce professionals.
In your submission you’ll need to fill out the following information:
- Your data including name, surname, position and company you want to represent, along with your personal LinkedIn profile.
- Your presentation title and a few sentences description including what the session will be about, and what value it will give to its attendees. If you’d like to speak with a client or a colleague, you should put their name, surname, position, company and LinkedIn profile in the box also.
- A desired contest category choosing from 9 presented under “How the competition works” part of the article.
- Contact person data if you’d like someone else to handle further organizational details with us, including their name, surname, e-mail and phone number.
Submit your proposal by September 18, 17:00 CET and take the chance at winning a place in our conference programme at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2027.
FAQ
Q: What is a Call for Speakers contest?
A: It’s a contest organized annually by the E-commerce Berlin Expo’s team responsible for the biggest B2B exhibition & conference event in Germany. The goal is to discover and showcase innovative and relevant topics that address current challenges in the e-commerce industry. Lucky winners will have the chance to speak at one of the event’s stages and share their insights with the Expo’s audience – among other benefits.
Q: Are there any hidden costs for participants or winners in the Call for Speakers contest?
A: No, the competition is completely free of charge, both for participants and winners. Please remember however that we don’t cover your travel expenses.
Q: I don’t have stage experience. Can I take part in the Call for Speakers contest?
A: Absolutely, all individuals with valuable insights to share are welcome to try, regardless of previous experience on stage.
Q: Can I participate with a colleague or a client?
A: Yes, but only two speakers can take the stage, and as such submissions with more than two people will not be considered for the competition. Choose wisely and if your session includes multiple participants, ensure that all contributors are highlighted in your proposal and confirm their availability to join you on stage.
Q: What happens if my proposal wins the Call for Speakers contest?
A: If your proposal is selected, we’ll work with you to finalize the details, refine your session and slides, and prepare you for the big day with a dedicated prep call. As the event approaches, we’ll confirm your stage slot, and our team and stage host will be there throughout February 17-18 to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Q: In what language can I present on stage if I win the Call for Speakers contest?
A: As the E-commerce Berlin Expo is a bilingual event, you can choose to present either in English, or in German. Feel free to submit your entry in the language of your choice.
