A hub for the entire creative industries

The German Creative Economy Summit (GCES) is the leading nationwide congress of the German creative industries. Once a year, it brings together around 1,100 players from politics, administration, business and all eleven submarkets of the creative industries in Hamburg - at the invitation of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, Germany's largest public organisation for the promotion of the creative industries.

As a platform for visibility, political anchoring and economic strengthening of the industry, the GCES shows that the creative industries are not a soft location factor, but an independent future sector with economic relevance, enormous innovative power and a high social impact. With around two million employees, a turnover of over 200 billion euros and a gross value added on a par with the automotive and mechanical engineering industries, it is one of the most dynamic sectors in Europe.

The GCES makes this performance visible - and connects decision-makers, creative minds, funding institutions and federal associations. The aim is to facilitate dialogue, form alliances and sharpen positions - both nationally and internationally.

The GCES creates a common platform for an industry that has often appeared fragmented to date - and anchors the creative industries in the political and public consciousness. In doing so, the GCES will consider the potential of artificial intelligence, the digital economy and social transformation, especially in 2026.

The GCES strengthens the self-image of the creative industries as an independent economic sector - and actively promotes their political, economic and social positioning. It encourages people to help shape the future, take responsibility and develop cross-sector solutions for the challenges of our time.