Florian Rotberg, Managing Director of Invidiis Consulting and Co-Animator of Digital Signage Europe (DSSE), offers an exclusive overview of what will occur during the most anticipated strategy event in the industry, taking place 21st – 23RD May 2025 at Hilton Munich airport.
What brings out the DSSE and why is it such an important event for industry?
Summit Summit Europe (DSSE), organized by Invidiis and ISE, is unique because it is specially designed for strategic exchange. While many events in our space focus on product launches and visual spectacle, this conference is built around the deep insight of industry, personal connection and significant conversation. It brings together decision -makers, innovators and opinion leaders under one roof in a targeted environment where discussions can evolve in real time.
This year, we focus on managed services and AI responds directly to the place where the market is heading – and these are not only trends, these are structural changes and we give them the platform they need.
How will this year sessions shape the experience of participants?
We have organized a program that reflects the most urgent questions in the industry: how to operate digital signaling on a large scale, how to create more intelligent content and how to adapt to rapid technological changes. For the first time, we present three main keynots, each designed to anchor another pillar of the event; Cybersecurity, managed signage and IA.
Day 1 launches the new digital signaling technology forum with a discourse that prepares the way by highlighting the growing role of software and, therefore, cybersecurity, by shaping the future of the digital signaling industry. Day 2, our Keynote will offer an in -depth overview of the global digital signaling market, highlighting key trends, challenges and ideas shaping industry. A special objective will be placed on the topic of this year's summit: managed signage. Our third speech, the last day, will address the intersection of AI and digital signaling – which is happening next and how companies can start preparing now.
In all the sessions, we offer a mixture of formats, such as Keynotes, panels, deep dives and informal meetings, so that participants can engage in a way that suits their learning style and their interests. It is a dynamic program designed for active participation.
Why was it important to broaden the event by two to three days?
The decision has become two things: demand and depth. The landscape of digital signaling is now an essential element of communication, trade and customer experience in all industries. This growth means that there is simply more to discuss.
Let us dive into managed signaling. What does that imply and why is it so important this year?
Managed signaling is a natural evolution in the way organizations reflect on digital infrastructure. Essentially, this means applying the model of managed services – so familiar with it – to the world of digital signaling. Instead, companies need to tinker with their own networks, content platforms and support models, managed signaling offers an end solution.
This includes not only the installation of screens and software, but also continuous management via centralized network operations centers, control of remote devices, content planning, troubleshooting and even financing and rental provisions. For many companies, in particular those that have evolved on several locations or markets, this model reduces friction. It creates predictability, reduces downtime and moves the digital signaling of a heavy burden of capex to a rationalized operational solution.
At DSS Europe, we will explore how this approach reshapes the market, which are the main players and what it takes to successfully implement a managed signaling strategy.
AI is another major theme. How do you see it transforming the industry and what conversations will occur in the living room?
AI already influences digital signaling in a fundamental way, but we are only scratching the surface of its potential. At a basic level, AI helps us create more adaptive, personalized and efficient content. By analyzing the data of sensors, cameras or customer interactions, signaling can now respond to the context – displaying different messages depending on who looks, where they are and what is happening in the environment.
But it goes much further. AI also helps us to rethink the back-end of signaling systems, from predictive maintenance of equipment to intelligent content and performance analysis that shed light on future campaigns. At DSS Europe, we will unpack these innovations through real use cases, live demonstrations and group discussions that ask difficult questions.
We also want to dig ethical and operational implications. What does data confidentiality look like in an improved signaling world in AI? How to ensure transparency? What are the limits of automation in public spaces? These are questions that require thoughtful answers, and this conference is the ideal place to explore them.
In addition to managed and AI signaling, what other key subjects will be explored during the 2025 event?
The agenda is wide but carefully structured. We will discuss the progress of display technology, system architecture and software integrations. Another major theme is the UX and UI design. How to create a signaling that is not only catchy, but intuitive and really useful?
Data analysis will also be important. As signaling becomes more intelligent, the ability to collect, interpret and act on data becomes a competitive differentializer. We will see how to transform the raw measures into a significant strategy.
In addition, we pay particular attention to sectors such as retail, transport, education and intelligent cities, where digital signaling plays an increasingly vital role. These are no longer only screens on the walls – it is the connective tissue of modern environments.
How can participants benefit as much as possible in DSS Europe 2025?
My advice: arrive with a plan but stay open to discovery. Start by exploring the DSS Europe calendar and selecting the sessions and keynots that correspond to your objectives. You can even create your own personalized agenda directly on the event website. At the same time, make room for networking and walk on the floor, log in with peers and adopt spontaneous conversations on coffee or during evening events. Often, the most precious ideas come from the unexpected.
This year, we are delighted to launch our brand new application, designed to improve the experience of participants from the moment you register. The application is fed by AI and corresponds to the profiles of the participants with subjects, sponsors and with other participants. This twinning tool will help you connect with the right people. You can also browse the profiles of the participants, see who arrives, and even plan meetings in advance, so your stay at the event is as productive and concentrated as possible. In addition, the application acts as your personal event companion, offering a complete overview of the agenda, the range of speakers, the map of sites and updates in real time. Our goal with the application is to help you get the most out of your time at DSS Europe. The application will be available for download at the end of April for iOS and Android.
Finally, what should participants expect this year's event overall?
This is a new era for DSS Europe. The 2025 edition marks our most ambitious program to date. With senior leaders who participate from around the world, the event promises a truly international perspective.
The atmosphere will be both high and intimate with three days of structured content alongside many space for informal connection. We will welcome more than 100 speakers, deliver more than 40 sessions and offer a platform for product demonstrations, emerging technology and enlightened leadership.
We will also present the Invidis Strategy Awards, will celebrate innovation and the impact in the industry and the launch of the Insvidiis 2025 directory – a final guide from the current state of digital signaling.
To secure your space and for more information, visit: https://digitalsignagesummit.org. A1 retail readers can receive a 30% discount on the price of the ticket with code: DSSE25-Mediarader During recording.
