ADC Creative Festival 2026: 50 Years of Ideas at the Power Plant

ADC Creative Festival 2026: Six Days of Creativity, AI, and Inspiration

In the 50th anniversary year of ADC Switzerland, the ADC Creative Festival 2026 will open its doors at Kraftwerk Zürich from June 8 to 13. The lineup spans a wide range of topics, from film and female perspectives to research on advertising consumption—featuring international speakers, workshops, exhibitions, and the coveted ADC Awards.

The event kicks off on Monday, June 8, with a premiere: the exclusive 20 Minuten ADC reception at the TX Group. Starting at 5:30 p.m., «20 Minuten» CEO Bernhard Brechbühl, Mayor Raphael Golta, and ADC President Thomas Wildberger will speak to ADC members and invited guests—accompanied by a live performance by Noemi Beza. Following the jury sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, during which the jury will decide who receives the coveted cubes, the «Open Night» on Wednesday evening, June 10, will kick off the program for everyone: From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Kraftwerk will be open to the public, offering free admission and refreshments—while supplies last.

Thursday: Film, Strategy, and Women's Perspectives

On Thursday, June 11, the program kicks off at 8 a.m.: The international collective Sanctum invites you to a mindful walk through Zurich. Alternatively, Pastor Christian Walti from Zurich’s Grossmünster will offer insights into «Same same, but different—Creativity and Spirituality in the Age of AI.» Film director and screenwriter Manuel Henry will kick off the film stream, which will feature, among others, director, screenwriter, and actress Lisa Brühlmann; Samir Mallal and Bouha Kazmi from the international creative studio OneDay; and consumer psychologist Timo Schneider. The focus is on the question of whether AI can create great films and advertisements—and what consumers think of them.

The entire festival week is also dedicated to powerful female voices: In her workshop «Trust the Signal,» executive coach Heidi Hauer invites participants to use their intuition as a creative superpower. Author and Birkenbihl trainer Karin Holenstein explains how learning works in harmony with the brain’s basic needs and how creativity can be specifically activated. On Thursday afternoon, former European figure skating champion Sarah van Berkel and journalist Sherin Kneifl will discuss the parallels between elite sports and business.

Running parallel to this is a strategy track: Gordon Nemitz, Managing Director of Strategy and Partner at thjnk Zurich, will kick things off with a coffee talk. Strategist and AI entrepreneur Liane Siebenhaar, former GWA president, will chart the path from «Best Practice to Next Practice» in the age of AI. Joost van Treeck, an advertising and consumer psychologist, will explore the psychology of customer relationships and lead a workshop titled «Flirting School for Brand Strategists.» The day concludes with the panel «Back to the Future,» featuring ADC President Thomas Wildberger, Advertiser of the Year Jan Kempter, and ADC Young Members Josephine Jeanguenin and Selina Engeli, who will discuss the possibility of reestablishing ADC Switzerland. Starting at 6 p.m., the event will be followed by a cocktail reception and party in collaboration with the Swissfilm Association.

Friday: Keynotes, Exhibition, and ADC Awards

On Friday, June 12, the program ranges from empathy to extreme mountaineering. Consultant and communications expert Barbara Mutzbauer will demonstrate how empathy works as a method. Singapore-based artist Wenhui Lim will present her «Auntieverse» and give a talk in English on «Reframing Aging, Identity, and the Body with AI.» Lecturer Hannah Leimert from the University of St. Gallen will speak on «Holistic Brand Communication.» Trend and future researcher Oona Horx Strathern will discuss, in English, the «Kindness Economy» as a new currency for the economy, work, and life.

At the same time, extreme mountaineer Thomas Huber inspires courage for successful action. Professor Roland Reichenbach, an expert in general education, explains how to get what you want in negotiations. Justin Billingsley—formerly CMO at Publicis, Chief Growth Officer at Monks, and now CMO of Nomad Foods and author of *Brandflow*—will speak in his keynote address about the future of creative collaboration between humans and AI, and why human creativity is becoming more important now than ever before. Ole von Beust, former mayor of Hamburg and former president of the Bundesrat, will highlight the similarities and differences between communication in politics and advertising and present his book *Am Ende des Tages*. At the same time, the ADC of Europe board meeting will take place at the Kraftwerk with international industry representatives.

As an artisanal counterpoint to the stage performances, the power plant becomes a «Craftwerk»: On Thursday, June 11, anyone interested can assemble a watch under expert guidance in a workshop led by Maurice de Mauriac. On Friday, designer Simon Husslein invites visitors to the MR exhibition “Meet Beyond Place” to explore interpersonal communication in a hybrid digital-analog space.

Friday evening will be highlighted by the ADC Awards: Starting at 6:30 p.m., the anniversary awards and the 20 Minuten Audience Award will be presented in a public ceremony hosted by Christa Rigozzi.

Anniversary Celebration to Mark the Conclusion of the ADC Creative Festival 2026

On Saturday, June 13, the big anniversary celebration kicks off at 7 p.m.: The entire Kraftwerk will be used for live music, talks, dancing, and various special events. Starting at 11 p.m., there will be a box office for latecomers. The entire festival week is designed to be a place to linger: food, drinks, aperitifs, and get-togethers are included; co-working spaces are available at the Kraftwerk.

The full lineup, all speakers and workshop hosts, as well as ticket options, can be found at: https://www.adc.ch