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What if the key to future business success isn’t what you know – but how boldly you imagine?

In today’s world, where change is exponential, disruption constant, and complexity the new normal, traditional innovation is losing ground. Businesses everywhere are being forced to rethink their strategies – not just to stay competitive, but to stay relevant.

That’s why this is not just another event – it’s one you can’t afford to miss.

We invite business leaders, strategists, and decision-makers to engage in a future-facing dialogue about the evolving role of creativity in business. In a world where algorithms can optimize the known, it’s imagination, empathy, and artistic thinking that will differentiate the exceptional from the obsolete.

This international event is not about art appreciation – it’s about strategic transformation. You’ll hear from global cultural innovators who have successfully integrated artistic creativity into business thinking, and see real-life examples of how this approach is driving growth, resilience, and meaning in uncertain times.

Join us to explore why the future of leadership may depend less on what we measure – and more on what we dare to imagine.

Please note that we have a very limited number of seats for the event. If you have to cancel your participation, please contact artpreneurship@aalto.fi.  

Keynote speakers:

Dr. Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group

Named European Cultural Manager of the Year, Dr. Girst has led BMW’s global cultural strategy for over two decades. His pioneering work has connected BMW with institutions like Tate Modern, Art Basel, and the London Symphony Orchestra, demonstrating how cultural engagement can serve as a long-term strategic asset.

Ben Hartley, President and CEO, Silkroad

Leading the international music collective founded by Yo-Yo Ma, Hartley brings a deep understanding of how cross-cultural collaboration, storytelling, and the arts can drive innovation, empathy, and systemic change. His leadership spans world-renowned cultural institutions including the Guggenheim and BAM.

Panel discussion includes:

Siamäk Naghian, CEO, Genelec

A visionary leader at the intersection of sound, culture, and sustainability. Under his leadership, Genelec has become a global standard-bearer of quality – and a community where trust, creativity, and meaning are embedded in the company’s DNA.

Join us to explore what happens when art and business stop talking past each other – and start imagining together.

Agenda