Center Stage

Toto Wolff, Auma Obama among those set for Hannover Messe's main attraction next week

Hannover Messe, one of the largest trade fairs in the world, takes place next week in Hannover, Germany. Alongside the usual array of innovations, industrial technology, and international business, the expo has an eye-catching lineup of speakers set for 2026.

The "Center Stage" area of Hannover Messe is described as an "international platform for inspiration and transformation in industrial production." It brings together leaders from business, politics, academia and society with decision-makers from global industry to share challenges, strategies and solutions. The program will be rounded off by panel discussions and bar talks, which will create space for exchange and new contacts.

Among the marquee names appearing this year are Toto Wolff of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 racing team and Dr. Auma Obama (pictured above), the Kenyan-British community activist, sociologist, journalist, author, and half-sister of former President of the United States, Barack Obama. Obama serves as the executive chairwoman of Sauti Kuu Foundation (Strong Voices Foundation), a non-profit organization that helps orphans and other young people struggling with poverty in Kenya.