Three-day summit on resilient communication solutions for Critical Infrastructures (KRITIS), broadband communication for authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS) and AI in control centres Symposium on civil-military cooperation 5G special area, Connecting Area and Hackathon.

The focus of the specialised programme of PMRExpo 2026 is on how secure communications can also be assured in the event of mains failures, blackouts and in crisis situations. From 24 to 26 November in Cologne, the leading European trade fair for Secure Communications brings together participants from Germany and abroad: from authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS), Critical Infrastructures (KRITIS), control centres, industry, research, politics and associations. Summit, Symposium and formats with relevance for practice in the Connecting Area combine strategic perspectives with concrete applications and personal exchange.

PMRExpo Summit: resiliently connected
Under the key theme of "Resiliently connected. Challenges and solutions in the critical communications of the next generation", the three-day PMRExpo Summit sheds light on the requirements for reliable communication. The focus is on technological developments, strategic course-setting and solutions for practice. Selected programme highlights:

Tuesday, 24.11.2026

• Opening by Dr Daniela Lesmeister, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia

• Panel "Resiliency, digital sovereignty and the protection of critical infrastructures" with representatives from politics, authorities, user organisations and industry

• Practice dialogue: Power suppliers, local public transport & traffic: what operators really need

Wednesday, 25.11.2026

• Opening by Dr Christoph Hübner, President of the Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio (BDBOS)

• BDBOS and European partners in conversation: "European paths to mission-critical broadband communication"

• Panel "Major incident situations and hybrid threats without communication disruption - how organisations and authorities with security tasks (BOS), control centres and municipal crisis staffs remain capable of joint action"

• Thursday, 26.11.2026

• AI keynote: "The path from the vision to practice", Prof. Tobias Daniel Gantner, Chief Operating Officer

• HealthCare Futurists GmbH

• Panel "AI in control centres: create benefits, take reservations seriously"

• "Failure concepts - continuity, error tolerance and strategies for control centres", Mario Müller, head of IT Strategy & Information Security, Integrated Regional Control Centre Lusatia, Technical Control Centre Network in the Federal State of Brandenburg

  
  

PMRExpo Symposium supported by CPM Verlag: focus on civil-military cooperation

On 25 November, the PMRExpo Symposium supported by CPM Verlag in 2026 is dedicated to resilient mission communication in the context of civil-military cooperation.It brings together experts from BOS, Bundeswehr, KRITIS, industry, administration, politics and research.

The focus is on how secure and interoperable communication across organisations can be successful in crisis situations. Police Director Corinna Koch illuminates civil-military communication from the perspective of the police. A simulation of a briefing connects the themes of civil-military cooperation und mission communication. Another panel directs the gaze to the future of critical mission communication.

Specialised programme and networking in the Connecting Area
The Connecting Area is the central meeting point for lectures, discussions and networking. The 25th anniversary of PMRExpo will also be celebrated at the official opening of the trade fair. The further programme includes the Indoor Radio Forum of the PMeV and the panel "Ladies@SecureCommunication". The pitches and the honouring of the winners of the "Hackathon@PMRExpo" are also on the programme here.

5G Hub for Private Networks: industrial applications with relevance for practice
How can private 5G campus networks be used in industry and Critical Infrastructures? The 5G Hub for Private Networks makes application possibilities visible on the basis of concrete examples from practice. In the special area for 5G presentations, visitors acquire insight into corresponding mission scenarios and can exchange ideas with the exhibitors about solutions and requirements. An own 5G theme day in the Connecting Area provides an additional technical area of focus.

Develop new approaches to solutions together in the Hackathon
At the Hackathon@PMRExpo, developers, students, start-ups, emergency services and companies work in interdisciplinary teams on real challenges of public safety, Critical Infrastructures and communication. The goal is to work together to develop new approaches to solutions for critical communication. A total of 4,500 Euro prize money will be awarded.

PMRExpo 2026: 24 to 26 November 2026, Koelnmesse, Cologne
All lectures will be simultaneously translated into English and are thus also accessible for an international trade public.

Two ticket variants are available for the PMRExpo 2026: the PMRExpo ticket authorises a visit to the trade exhibition. The combi ticket encompasses, in addition to this, participation in the PMRExpo Summit and in the PMRExpo Symposium. Information on programme and tickets: https://www.pmrexpo.com/en/