The number one event to match buyer requirements with expert solutions during the rail sectors digital evolution
COLOGNE | 4th & 5th May 2027
SPECIAL 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION!
Supported by in 2026
THE INTERNATIONAL TRUSTED MEETING PLACE FOR DIGITAL RAIL LEADERS
Following a record-breaking 2026 edition, which welcomed the highest attendance in the event’s history, I am delighted to invite you to Cologne for a very special milestone – the 10-Year Anniversary of The Rise of IoT, AI & Data in Rail.
Over the past decade, the event has established itself as the rail sector’s leading senior-level meeting place for Rail Operators, Infrastructure Managers and Transport Authorities, bringing together an exceptional community of strategists, technologists, engineers and industry leaders responsible for driving digital transformation across the railway.
In 2027, we will celebrate ten years by bringing this community together once again to explore the technologies and strategies transforming rail operations today. Moving beyond the buzzwords, the conference will showcase real-world applications of AI, IoT, smart data, predictive maintenance and intelligent asset management, and how they are being used to increase capacity, improve reliability and availability, minimise downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
But what truly sets The Rise of IoT, AI & Data in Rail apart is the calibre of the people it brings together. This is not a mass exhibition. It is an exclusive environment created for meaningful conversation, knowledge exchange and high-level networking, connecting the real-world requirements of Rail Operators and Infrastructure Managers with the expertise and solutions capable of delivering measurable results.
After ten years of building an outstanding international community, 2027 represents a landmark edition of the event, and one that promises to be our most significant yet.
I very much look forward to welcoming you to Cologne to celebrate 10 years of The Rise of IoT, AI & Data in Rail and what promises to be an exceptional anniversary edition.
Ben Holliday
Managing Director | Rotaia Media
100%
of previous attendees would return
93%
of previous sponsors already rebooked for 2026
25%
increase in attendees year on year
I’ve been on the event circuit for a long time, and I’ve got to say that this event is by far the best one I’ve been to in ages! The breadth of information that was available was amazing, and the speakers and networking opportunities far exceeded my expectations. Well done Ben
Head of Strategy, Transformational Strategy Development | Network Rail
I truly believe this is the best Railway conference in the market. A well structured and organised event. I had the possibility to meet new potential customers and exchange relevant information with many participants which is why I am sponsoring the event for the 7th consecutive year. A perfect mix between rail operators and systems suppliers.
Head of Rail | SKF
This event has become the main pillar for exchange of IoT and data driven innovations across the rail sector. A must-attend event for your diary. I look forward to the next one!
Head of Asset Intelligence | DB Cargo
Key Topics Include
- Turning live IoT data into actionable predictive maintenance – from pilots to scale
- Using AI, machine learning and deep learning to anticipate failures and reduce disruption
- Applying deep reinforcement learning to capture and manage the complexity of rail networks
- Designing and deploying digital twins for assets, corridors and networks
- Moving from time-based to condition-based maintenance and proving the ROI
- Building a big-data platform to bring together rolling stock, infrastructure and operations data
- Extracting “smart data” from millions of sensors with on-board and trackside edge analytics
- Embedding asset intelligence into planning, engineering and front-line operations
- Strategies to improve reliability, availability and service life of critical assets
- Cyber security by design for IoT, OT and big-data platforms in an AI-enabled environment
- Modernising maintenance organisations through analytics, automation and insight
- Technology demands and roadmaps for future fleet and traffic management
- Building the culture, skills and partnerships needed to deliver data-driven transformation
- Harnessing IoT and trusted data (including distributed ledgers) to secure maintenance and inspection records
Highlights for 2026
DRINKS RECEPTION – Grab a drink, pick up those unfinished conversations and turn chance encounters into real opportunities.
NETWORKING DINNER & LIVE MUSIC – Turn introductions into relationships as you dine with key decision-makers in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION GROUPS – Join focused, small-group discussions with your peers to tackle real-world challenges and explore practical digital solutions.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS – Hear first-hand from railways and their partners as they unpack their most successful digitalisation case studies.
NEW HIGH-LEVEL SPEAKERS – Get fresh insights from even more of the industry’s leading experts, innovators and decision-makers from across the globe.
Why Now?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping the railway industry at speed, unlocking huge gains in operations and maintenance. By embedding IoT across networks, railways can move from reactive to predictive – building smarter, more efficient systems, especially in maintenance. Operators, maintainers and asset owners can finally “see” their assets in real time, using advanced connectivity, data analytics and AI-driven decision support. The payoff: higher availability, better passenger experiences and leaner, optimised operations.
At the heart of this shift is predictive maintenance. IoT-based remote monitoring can spot problems early and forecast failures before they occur, cutting downtime and driving down costs. The global digital-railway market is forecast to rise from around €71 billion in 2025 to €110 billion in 2030, reflecting a massive wave of investment in technologies like IoT and AI to optimise train operations and prevent costly maintenance failures. As this momentum builds, rail operators face a new challenge: keeping pace with innovation while tackling tough questions around data ownership and how data can be shared intelligently across all stakeholders.
And it doesn’t stop at maintenance. IoT is transforming rail logistics by delivering true end-to-end visibility, benefiting both freight and passenger services. Coupled with Industrial IoT and big data analytics, it gives rail a powerful platform to shift more freight from road to rail and finally achieve the long-discussed modal shift. As the sector embraces a digital future and competes with other transport modes, now is a critical moment for every stakeholder to fully engage with IoT, data and AI – or risk being left behind.
