On February 13th, 2026, we hosted the CMTB Conference 2026 – Conference on Management, Technology & Business Innovation at Campus Stendal (Building 3). Under the theme “From Data to Wellbeing and Innovation”, we explored how data-driven and AI-enabled systems can create real value for people—ranging from healthier workplaces and better learning environments to smarter public services and new business models. 

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, student presenters, poster contributors, jury members, panelists, partners, and our organizing team for making CMTB26 such a vibrant and international day of exchange. In total, we welcomed 77 registered on-site participants and 30 registered online participants. 

Highlights from the day

• Keynote by Dr. Martin Stabauer (JKU Linz): “AI Pictures and the Thousand-Word Problem: Exploring User Engagement with AI-Generated Visual News Summaries”—a strong opening impulse for discussions on AI, media and user engagement. 

• International Research Project (IRP) presentations featuring student research results from three countries, including topics such as Urban Digital Twins in Public Administration, Wellbeing by Design (digital fatigue in Microsoft Teams), and AI Literacy in Higher Education. 

• Student Startup Competition with two pitch rounds: Competition I (1st semester) with 8 pitches (e.g., MedVault, Culina, MOBISI, StitchLab…); Competition II (3rd semester + DBM) with 8 more pitches, including the DBM project “EntdeckAR – the new way to explore a City”, all presented to a high-profile jury from academia, industry and the regional startup ecosystem.

• Coffee & Poster / “Poster Madness” with IRP posters from eight countries, plus SynerKI research postersand a PhD Center consultation desk—a great networking and discussion format. 

• Panel Discussion: “From Classroom to Startup: Careers, Support and What Comes Next?” with voices from entrepreneurship practice, regional industry and policy—bridging career paths, ecosystem support and next steps after the pitch. 

We truly appreciate everyone who contributed their ideas, research, energy and curiosity—CMTB26 was a strong example of international collaboration and innovation at the intersection of AI, data, education, ethics and entrepreneurship. We look forward to seeing you at the next CMTB!

➡ Program, Contributors, and Presentation Topics here.

Relive CMTB 2026 in just less than two minutes: keynote moments, international student research, posters, networking—and the energy of our Startup Pitch Competition. Thanks again to everyone who made this day so special!

In 2026, we changed the name of the #CMTB series to »Conference on Management, Technology & Business Innovation«. We recognize the strategic and organizational handover to the School of Business and Management at h2 University. It should reflect the openness to research and development topics that the deanship and colleagues at our school contribute.
The CMTB follows the »Change MEDIA Transform BUSINESS«format, which is a continuation of the well-known #TCCM conference series. Since 2012, Think CROSS – Change MEDIA has been a meeting place for journalists, press officers, designers, and managers. Since 2020, the Cross Media and Digital Business Management executive Master’s programs at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences have jointly organized the #CMTB. Since its beginning, the conference addressed vibrant developments in media, digital business, and innovation.

A vital part of this conference has been presenting students‘ ideas and research work in an international context. Collaborative virtual teaching and learning in international student groups developed emergent topics resulting from a research seminar between five to six universities every year. This course attracted up to 100 students each year, included 5 to 10 professors, and brought a variety of topics that younger generations are interested in to the CMTB conference.

For the TWELFTH time, we invited visitors to discuss and actively contribute to science and practice