Digital systems shape the world we live in, powering economies, enabling governments and running the infrastructure we depend on every day. At the center of this digital fabric lies identity for people, for organizations, for applications, services and machines. Systems are evolving, automation is accelerating, AI systems are expanding into decision-making roles once reserved for humans. In a digital environment this dynamic, trust cannot be assumed, it must be designed, implemented and continuously verified.
For nearly two decades, experts from around the world have gathered at the European Identity and Cloud Conference, EIC, a leading forum to explore identity, governance, security and the challenges shaping our digital future. This is where we prepare for what comes next. Welcome to EIC 2026, let's advance digital trust together. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats for the 19th Annual European Identity and Cloud Conference and give a warm welcome to KuppingerCole Head of Marketing and Events, Jennifer Stähler. Hello and welcome to the 19th European Identity and Cloud Conference.
Before we kick off this day with fantastic keynotes, I have some quick updates for you and I give you some more information, general information, how to make the best out of this conference space. First off, I think most of you already have the app, but if not, now is the time to download it because it's your pathway, your best friend during this conference. You can do everything with it, review the agenda, navigate, meet people, chat, ask questions and as well, of course, watch recordings if needed. Always important, ask your questions.
In every room after every session, you will see this QR code. You can use the app for it as well, but you can even scan this QR code, choose the right room, it's set up there, keynotes for this room, for example, choose the right room and ask your question. It will be directly up to the stage, up to front, to the moderator and yeah, to the speaker. If you have not yet found most important Wi-Fi, you can take a picture here, you can look in the app and just a hint, it's on the backside of your cards as well if you might lose that.
If you want to take part in our gamification, you need the app as well because we will have some gamification going on for those who schedule the most meetings during that conference. The only thing you need to be aware, at least 10 meetings with our sponsors need to be inside. So grab your app, make meetings, schedule things throughout the week, there's plenty of time during the sessions so that you don't miss that much of the agenda and take a chance to win. First place will be a ticket for next year's EIC, the Berlin welcome card, so maybe plan some time in to travel around as well.
We cover your stay with three nights and you will receive six months of our KC membership for free. Second one is similar just without a commendation and even the third one receives at least a ticket and the KC membership. What's going up this evening, EIC awards, don't miss it, you can just take a seat, stay in here and stay until the end so you don't miss that. It's just at the end of this keynote session and we will honour this year the best in categories like digital ID and enterprise IAM and stay tuned, we have one special award. So be there.
Happy hour, right after our ceremony, there will be outside happy hour with DJ, food, drinks and downstairs in the expo area, this is sponsored by our partner AWS and then tomorrow there will be a networking night which Copenhagen is welcome to bring to you. We have some additional exclusive stuff as well, we have again our Spree river cruises tomorrow. Our sponsors still have some last minute tickets, so if you are interested in joining this happy hour, just walk by, they are at level B close to the session rooms and maybe you are one of the lucky ones to receive one of the rare places.
On Thursday we have the TV tower happy hour, I'm afraid this is already sold out, but maybe if you ask at the end they might find another place, but yeah, good luck. For all of you who can't get enough of networking, I still want to be a bit sporty, there is the morning run coming on Thursday morning at 7, it's a five kilometre round, I think you can do it, it's for everybody's pace, so just be there, it's going to be fun.
Last but not least, if you need help, the Copenhagen team is here to assist you, most of us have this kind of badge in here, but as soon as you see Copenhagen, we are connected to each other, you will find us. The only thing, if you would like to share your stay here, please do so, this is our hashtag, and if you would maybe use the Copenhagen account as well, we would be very happy about that. With no further ado, I would like to introduce you to today's host, which is my beloved colleague, Warwick Ashford, Senior Analyst at Copenhagen, please clap your hands together to welcome her.
