ERFURT – It's the most important annual showcase of Thuringia's innovative strength: the ChampionsMEET, which the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs and the LEG (Thuringian Development Corporation) are hosting this year on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The event will take place in the Eiermann Building in Apolda, and as with the three previous editions, the focus will be on the marketing campaign "Hidden Champions – Thuringian World Market and Technology Leaders." Since 2023, the Ministry and LEG have recognized over 100 high-performing Thuringian SMEs that have achieved market or technology leadership in their respective market segments through this campaign. This year's ChampionsMEET will also feature updates on the campaign and an award ceremony honoring the three newest "Hidden Champions," with the participation of Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Mario Suckert, and LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey. The three award winners are PACETEQ GmbH (Leinefelde-Worbis), optiX fab GmbH (Jena) and Bikar AEROSPACE GmbH (Korbußen). Over 100 leading companies, which significantly shape Thuringia's image as a location for excellence, precision and innovation, are expected to attend the event.
In addition to recognizing the latest hidden champions, the flagship event of the innovation campaign offers further highlights: The Free State of Thuringia will be honored as "Innovation Location of the Year," not least in light of the campaign and its associated innovation potential. The award will be presented by Michael Oelmann, Chairman of the "Innovator of the Year" panel. The official ceremony will take place in Berlin in November, but the presentation in Apolda already sends a strong signal of the state's successful location policy. Dr. Daniel Stelter's keynote address will also provide valuable insights for the companies in attendance. The renowned macroeconomist, strategy consultant, and author is considered one of Germany's most influential economists. He has published numerous critical analyses of economic and financial policy in widely acclaimed books. Following his presentation, he will be available for a discussion, as lively exchange among participants is a key focus of the event.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.hidden-champions-thuringia.de/thueringer-championsmeet
