With PMA Co-Organisers Johanna Lehmann & Daniel Zinner
What is the overarching mission and vision behind the International HR Tech Conference?
Johanna:
The core mission of the International HR Tech Conference is to create a space where HR, Global Mobility and technology truly come together in a meaningful way. We want to drive conversations that move beyond buzzwords and instead focus on how digital transformation can be human-centred, practical and sustainable. At its heart, the conference is about making global people collaboration more accessible, scalable and future-proof.
The core mission of the International HR Tech Conference is to create a space where HR, Global Mobility and technology truly come together in a meaningful way. We want to drive conversations that move beyond buzzwords and instead focus on how digital transformation can be human-centred, practical and sustainable. At its heart, the conference is about making global people collaboration more accessible, scalable and future-proof.
Daniel:
For me, it’s about building an international community where experts from different disciplines — HR, Global Mobility, tech and leadership — collaborate and build bridges between their worlds. Innovation is important, but performance only comes when people feel connected and understood. We want this event to become a true annual lighthouse for the HR and Global Mobility ecosystem — a moment at the end of the year where professionals can reflect on what has happened and shape what comes next.
For me, it’s about building an international community where experts from different disciplines — HR, Global Mobility, tech and leadership — collaborate and build bridges between their worlds. Innovation is important, but performance only comes when people feel connected and understood. We want this event to become a true annual lighthouse for the HR and Global Mobility ecosystem — a moment at the end of the year where professionals can reflect on what has happened and shape what comes next.
How has the conference evolved from last year to this year?
Johanna:
As it was my first time as a co-organiser it truly surprised me how far we’ve come within such a short time especially in terms of the people who joined us as speakers and partners. We were able to attract incredibly high-calibre experts who supported the conference with their expertise and genuine goodwill, not because they had to, but because they believed in the idea. There were several moments where I thought: This has exceeded what I imagined - and even what I thought we were capable of at this stage.
As it was my first time as a co-organiser it truly surprised me how far we’ve come within such a short time especially in terms of the people who joined us as speakers and partners. We were able to attract incredibly high-calibre experts who supported the conference with their expertise and genuine goodwill, not because they had to, but because they believed in the idea. There were several moments where I thought: This has exceeded what I imagined - and even what I thought we were capable of at this stage.
Daniel:
Last year we were starting a conversation. This year we were building a movement. The partnerships became stronger, the formats more interactive and the agenda more mature. The industry is clearly ready for more honest, more courageous discussions — and we’re proud that the conference is becoming a space where those conversations can happen.
Last year we were starting a conversation. This year we were building a movement. The partnerships became stronger, the formats more interactive and the agenda more mature. The industry is clearly ready for more honest, more courageous discussions — and we’re proud that the conference is becoming a space where those conversations can happen.
What was your biggest personal learning from this year’s edition?
Johanna:
I learned that true collaboration requires vulnerability. Speakers and participants didn’t come with polished success stories — they shared real struggles and open questions. I also realised how much resilience and flexibility hybrid events require, and how quickly communities grow when people feel safe enough to ask difficult questions.
I learned that true collaboration requires vulnerability. Speakers and participants didn’t come with polished success stories — they shared real struggles and open questions. I also realised how much resilience and flexibility hybrid events require, and how quickly communities grow when people feel safe enough to ask difficult questions.
Daniel:
One of my biggest takeaways was that while technology enables global connection, it’s human adaptability that keeps everything moving when things go wrong. You could really feel that HR is shifting from a support function into a strategic powerhouse — and the appetite for practical, implementable solutions is stronger than ever.
One of my biggest takeaways was that while technology enables global connection, it’s human adaptability that keeps everything moving when things go wrong. You could really feel that HR is shifting from a support function into a strategic powerhouse — and the appetite for practical, implementable solutions is stronger than ever.
What was your favourite moment or highlight of the event?
Johanna:
The energy in the workshops was incredible — people were genuinely working together to solve problems. I also loved seeing participants continue conversations with speakers long after sessions had ended. You could really feel the community deepening.
The energy in the workshops was incredible — people were genuinely working together to solve problems. I also loved seeing participants continue conversations with speakers long after sessions had ended. You could really feel the community deepening.
Daniel:
The People Tech Awards were a special moment — celebrating innovators who are shaping the future. The Transfermarket panel was another highlight, as it was such a powerful metaphor for international performance and competition. And honestly, one of the most touching moments came after the event, when participants reached out to praise the atmosphere, the food and the depth of the conversations.
The People Tech Awards were a special moment — celebrating innovators who are shaping the future. The Transfermarket panel was another highlight, as it was such a powerful metaphor for international performance and competition. And honestly, one of the most touching moments came after the event, when participants reached out to praise the atmosphere, the food and the depth of the conversations.
What surprised you the most this year?
Johanna:
I was surprised by how quickly people opened up about their biggest challenges. One of my highlights was realising that some of our partner connections went far beyond classic partnerships. We could feel that trust was forming - and a collaboration that is built on honesty, openness and shared values. And despite their differences, startups and large multinationals were facing remarkably similar issues.
I was surprised by how quickly people opened up about their biggest challenges. One of my highlights was realising that some of our partner connections went far beyond classic partnerships. We could feel that trust was forming - and a collaboration that is built on honesty, openness and shared values. And despite their differences, startups and large multinationals were facing remarkably similar issues.
Daniel:
The strength of the community stood out — many participants returned from last year, and many new partnerships formed during and even after the event. There’s a real shared commitment to making HR Tech more human and more accessible.
The strength of the community stood out — many participants returned from last year, and many new partnerships formed during and even after the event. There’s a real shared commitment to making HR Tech more human and more accessible.
What do you hope participants take away from the conference?
Johanna:
I hope they leave with the confidence to experiment, practical tools they can use immediately, and a sense of belonging to an international community of people who truly care about shaping the future.
I hope they leave with the confidence to experiment, practical tools they can use immediately, and a sense of belonging to an international community of people who truly care about shaping the future.
Daniel:
I want them to believe that innovation in HR starts with people, not technology. I hope they feel encouraged to challenge outdated structures, build better processes, and form new collaborations that turn ideas into real impact.
I want them to believe that innovation in HR starts with people, not technology. I hope they feel encouraged to challenge outdated structures, build better processes, and form new collaborations that turn ideas into real impact.
What kind of feedback did you receive from the attendees so far?
Johanna:
Many people told us how much they appreciated the specialised mix of Global Mobility, HR and Tech professionals — working together on the same challenges and goals created a very strong sense of relevance.
Many people told us how much they appreciated the specialised mix of Global Mobility, HR and Tech professionals — working together on the same challenges and goals created a very strong sense of relevance.
Daniel:
The attendees really enjoyed having a shared space to discuss current challenges. We received a lot of positive feedback about the atmosphere, the choice of topics — and, of course, the food.
The attendees really enjoyed having a shared space to discuss current challenges. We received a lot of positive feedback about the atmosphere, the choice of topics — and, of course, the food.
The Cloudflare outage affected the online edition. What did this challenge teach you?
Johanna:
Because our new AI-built event app was also affected, the outage impacted both the online and onsite experience. Even so, I still believe it was the right decision to build and test our own platform. It showed that even the best tools can fail — what matters is how you respond. Because the event was clearly time-boxed and well framed, we were able to communicate transparently and handle the situation calmly and professionally. For me, that proved that innovation is worth it, even when things go wrong.
Because our new AI-built event app was also affected, the outage impacted both the online and onsite experience. Even so, I still believe it was the right decision to build and test our own platform. It showed that even the best tools can fail — what matters is how you respond. Because the event was clearly time-boxed and well framed, we were able to communicate transparently and handle the situation calmly and professionally. For me, that proved that innovation is worth it, even when things go wrong.
Daniel:
It highlighted how important digital resilience is in HR Tech. It also reinforced our commitment to improving our hybrid infrastructure. Interestingly, it even sparked new ideas for webinars and research around digital failure readiness — a topic we’ll prioritise in the future.
It highlighted how important digital resilience is in HR Tech. It also reinforced our commitment to improving our hybrid infrastructure. Interestingly, it even sparked new ideas for webinars and research around digital failure readiness — a topic we’ll prioritise in the future.
What are your expectations and ambitions for next year’s edition?
Johanna:
I would love to see a stronger international presence, with more multilingual content and a deeper focus on AI ethics, global compliance and digital resilience. We also want to make the formats even more interactive and community-driven.
I would love to see a stronger international presence, with more multilingual content and a deeper focus on AI ethics, global compliance and digital resilience. We also want to make the formats even more interactive and community-driven.
Daniel:
Our ambition is to scale the event while keeping its intimate, collaborative feel. We want to collaborate more with the broader event ecosystem — for example through partnerships with conferences like WeAreDevelopers. And we want to expand the online edition with better infrastructure and new engagement tools, positioning the conference as the go-to platform for shaping the future of Global Mobility and HR Tech.
Our ambition is to scale the event while keeping its intimate, collaborative feel. We want to collaborate more with the broader event ecosystem — for example through partnerships with conferences like WeAreDevelopers. And we want to expand the online edition with better infrastructure and new engagement tools, positioning the conference as the go-to platform for shaping the future of Global Mobility and HR Tech.
Authors:
Johanna Lehmann is a New Work consultant and leadership trainer. She supports teams and organisations through transformation with a focus on collaboration, clarity, and culture.
Daniel Zinner is an international HR expert, entrepreneur, and communications consultant. His expertise lies in HR, strategy, digitalisation, and transformation strategy.
Alexia Schmolling is the Head of Operations and Academy Lead at PMA. Her focus lies on Expat Management, Employee Health and international HRM. She brings valuable insights from her international experiences.
