Over 150 guests made the opening ceremony of IQIB at the historic thermal baths in Bad Neuenahr a lively and unforgettable event.
The grand opening of our new office space in the historic thermal baths in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler made it clear: IQIB is an important part of Rhineland-Palatinate's innovation ecosystem. "Rhineland-Palatinate is a state where resilience, digitalisation and sustainability are not just talked about. Here at IQIB, solutions are developed and implemented – together with our strong partners: the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the DLR Projektträger .That is why I would like to express my special thanks to Dr. Jörn Sonnenburg and Klaus Uckel on behalf of our shareholders and supervisory board. Together, we are developing solutions for tomorrow," says Roman Noetzel, Managing Director at IQIB.
Over 150 guests from politics, science and business enjoyed an energetic day with events, hands-on science, lively panel discussions, exciting interviews and live music. "We are impressed by the positive response, the discussions and the great initiatives that we were able to launch today. This will enable us to be successful together in the district and in Rhineland-Palatinate," says Wigand Fleischer, Managing Director at IQIB.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the ceremonial handover of the flag of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which had previously been on the International Space Station (ISS). Klaus Hamacher, Deputy Chairman of the DLR Executive Board, presented this special flag to Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer as a personal award.
Wigand Fleischer (Managing Director at IQIB), Klaus Hamacher (Deputy Chairman of the DLR Executive Board), Minister President Alexander Schweitzer, Roman Noetzel (Managing Director at IQIB) on stage at the IQIB Innovation Lab. (from left to right)
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
In their speeches, Minister President Alexander Schweitzer and Klaus Hamacher emphasised the importance of IQIB for the region and for the innovation ecosystem of Rhineland-Palatinate.
„IQIB transforms knowledge into concrete solutions. As a sought-after point of contact throughout Germany, the research institution connects science and practice, which also benefits the reconstruction in the Ahr Valley. The IQIB's new premises in the beautifully renovated historic thermal baths in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler are a powerful symbol of the region's resilience. I am certain that they will be an inspiring place for innovation and encounters. I wish everyone every success in this endeavour.“
Alexander Schweitzer, Minister President
„We're committed to keeping up our active involvement in the area – as a catalyst, partner, and creator. Together with IQIB, we want to help shape the future.“
Klaus Hamacher, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)
We congratulate Dr Bert Droste-Franke on receiving the Golden Planet Award. The laudators Rainer Doemen and Lady Astrid Arens presented the award and emphasised Droste-Franke's personal commitment to the "Ahrtal becomes Solahrtal" initiative.
Rainer Doemen and Lady Astrid Arens presented the awards to Dr. Bert Droste-Franke (Head of System Evaluation & Soceital Future Viability IQIB) and Prof. Urban Weber (TH Bingen).
David Senkic, DLR-Fotomedien.
In an interview with presenter Conny Czymoch, Dr. Jörn Sonnenburg provides valuable insights into the history of IQIB and the solution portfolio of the think-and-do tank.
Dr. Jörn Sonnenburg in an interview with Conny Czymoch (moderator).
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
David Senkic,DLR Photo Media.
You can find the entire interview here.
A performance with credibility: Anny Ogrezeanu was at our opening ceremony and impressed us with a fantastic live performance and his personal story: as a flood relief worker, Anny helped with the hands-on reconstruction efforts after the 2021 flood disaster in the Ahr Valley. In an interview with our presenter Conny Czymoch, Anny explained his personal view on the topic of resilience: believe in yourself, don't give up and stick with it – against all odds.
Anny Orgrezeanu with pianist David Heiner.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
The panel discussed the future viability and opportunities for strengthening the resilience of municipalities and regions, moderated by Conny Czymoch. The following participants contributed their expertise and passion to the discussion: Minister President Alexander Schweitzer, Deputy Chairman of the DLR Executive Board Klaus Hamacher, State Secretary Simone Schneider (Ministry of the Interior of Rhineland-Palatinate), District Administrator Cornelia Weigand, Mayor Guido Orthen, Prof. Diane Robers, Dr. Daniel Lichte (DLR) and Dr. Konstanze Lechner (ZKI).
Cornelia Weigand (District Administrator) with Klaus Hamacher (Deputy Chairman of the DLR Executive Board), Minister President Alexander Schweitzer, Guido Orthen (Mayor of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler), Conny Czymoch (moderator). (from left to right)
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
Roman Noetzel (Managing Director of IQIB), Cornelia Weigand (District Administrator) and Klaus Hamacher (Deputy Chairman of the DLR Executive Board) at the panel discussion "Resilience through innovation". (from left to right)
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
State Secretary Simone Schneider (Ministry of the Interior and Sport, Rhineland-Palatinate) and Wigand Fleischer (Managing Director IQIB) at the panel discussion on "Solutions for tomorrow".
David Senkic,DLR Photo Media.
Dr Daniel Lichte (Institute for the Protection of Terrestrial Infrastructures), Dr Konstanze Lechner (Centre for Satellite Based Crisis Information - ZKI) and State Secretary Simone Schneider. (from left to right)
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
What exactly does IQIB do? We showed our guests with a multimedia and interactive gallery walk.
Rethinking energy: Experience the energy supply of smart cities with our model cube.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
Creating value from data: Hybrid intelligence and data-driven solutions - practical applications for research, business and administration.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
Space travel - yesterday science fiction, today reality: how space travel affects our everyday lives.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
High-performance organisations: With our effective tools for process optimisation, we show how easily organisations can become fit for change and the future.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
Networked innovation: With partners such as DLR, the "RESITEK" project is redefining crisis management - including disaster prevention with virtual reality.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
Fit for the future with the IQIB Academy in cooperation with the DLR Project Management Agency: from training courses for smart city managers to online training in the field of health research.
David Senkic, DLR Photo Media.
The results of our Mentimeter survey show that IQIB stands for innovation, future and transformation. And it is the successful transfer of results that determines whether innovations will be successful. We want to fulfil this claim by shaping transformation, strengthening resilience and increasing impact.
The end result is a strong signal: Rhineland-Palatinate is generating ideas for new joint projects and initiatives – solutions that are developed here and have an impact far beyond the state's borders.