Programme

The VSV Symposium 2025 brings together visionary experts, groundbreaking companies, and ambitious students for a day of inspiration and innovation. Dive into a dynamic program featuring thought-provoking presentations, an all-day Innovation Floor showcasing cutting-edge aerospace advancements, and a networking drink to close the day. Discover the future of aircraft design from industry leaders and connect with those shaping the next era of flight. Explore the full programme below!

Schedule

Main Programme Information

Chair of the Day

Sybren Hahn

Executive Director Schiphol Infrastructure, Royal Schiphol Group

Sybren Hahn serves as the Executive Director of Infrastructure at Royal Schiphol Group, overseeing the maintenance and development of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s infrastructure. He joined the company in December 2021 as Director of Asset Management, bringing extensive experience from his tenure at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on transformative projects within the aviation sector.

Part 1: Vision

The first session of the afternoon will focus on the vision behind aircraft design. We will explore how innovative designs take shape, incorporating emerging technologies from the start. This session will also highlight the role of advanced design-enabling tools, such as additive manufacturing, in driving new possibilities. The segment will conclude with a thought-provoking panel discussion on the integration of AI in design and certification, addressing both its technical potential and ethical implications.

Speakers and Panellists:

Taco Stouten

Chief Commercial Officer, VÆRIDION

Taco Stouten is the Chief Commercial Officer at VÆRIDION, a Munich-based company developing a 9-seater electric microliner for short-distance travel. With over 15 years of experience in aircraft development, manufacturing, and sales, he has held key roles at Airbus and Spairliners. At Vaeridion, he leads the commercial strategy, driving business initiatives and partnerships. His expertise spans aviation financing, marketing, and strategic development, making him a key player in sustainable aviation.

Bart van der Schueren

Chief Technology Officer – Executive Vice President, Materialise

Bart van der Schueren has over 30 years of experience in 3D printing and additive manufacturing. He holds a Ph.D. in Selective Laser Metal Sintering and has been instrumental in industrial innovation and product development at Materialise. His leadership focuses on advancing 3D printing technology for aerospace, healthcare, and automotive industries. With deep expertise in additive manufacturing, he is shaping the future of digital production.

Nick Eleftheroglou

Assistant Professor and Head of the Intelligent Sustainable Prognostics Group, TU Delft 

Dr. Nick Eleftheroglou is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft and leads the Intelligent Sustainable Prognostics Group. His research focuses on sustainable AI for diagnosis, prognosis, and health management of structures and engineering systems, aiming to develop physics-informed AI models that reduce carbon emissions while enhancing accuracy. Dr. Eleftheroglou earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from TU Delft and has authored numerous publications in the fields of structural health monitoring and machine learning.

Bartjan Rietdijk

Engineering Lead, Conscious Aerospace 

Bartjan Rietdijk serves as the Lead Engineer at Conscious Aerospace, a Dutch company pioneering hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aviation. The comapany is leading the Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage Systems (HAPSS) project, which aims to retrofit existing regional aircraft with zero-emission hydrogen-based technologies. Bartjan’s expertise was highlighted during his participation in the EASA Certification Conference, where he contributed to discussions on integrating hydrogen propulsion into aviation.

Asteris Apostolidis

Rulemaking Committee Member: Trustworthy AI in Aviation, EASA

Senior Lead, Technical Innovation & Emerging Technologies, KLM

Asteris Apostolidis is a Senior Lead at KLM and a member of the EASA Rulemaking Committee for Trustworthy AI in Aviation. He heads BlueLabs, an innovation hub at KLM that explores AI, digital twins, and emerging technologies. With a background in propulsion and computational aerodynamics, he has extensive experience in MRO engineering, AI integration, and strategic technology development for the aviation industry.

Edwin van de Sluis

Senior Software Engineer, NLR

Edwin van de Sluis is a Senior Scientist at NLR, specializing in avionics software and aerospace R&D. With over 30 years of experience, he has managed complex software projects for both civil and military aerospace sectors. His expertise lies in avionics systems, software engineering, and Linux-based technologies, contributing to advancements in aerospace software innovation.

Part 2: Flight

The second session of the afternoon will delve into how cutting-edge technologies are seamlessly integrated into aircraft design, driving the evolution of modern aviation. From concept to reality, we will explore how innovations shape the design process and the necessary adaptations to incorporate them effectively. Leading OEMs will share exclusive insights into their collaborative efforts, highlighting how external technologies are refined and integrated during the later stages of development to bring groundbreaking designs to life.

Speakers and Panellists:

Roman Seele

Future of Flight Engineering Leader, GE Aerospace

Roman Seele leads the Advanced Technology team at GE Aerospace, based in Munich, where he is working on Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Thermal Sciences and Hybrid Electric Systems. Roman pursued aerospace engineering at TU Berlin and earned his master’s degree from the University of Arizona in 2008. His career includes research roles at the University of Arizona and the California Institute of Technology, focusing on aircraft wing aerodynamics. In 2013, he joined GE Aerospace in Cincinnati, contributing to engine operability and hybrid electric systems projects. Roman’s journey came full circle when he returned to Germany, representing GE Aerospace at the ILA Berlin Air Show, where he first attended as a student.

Anna-Lisa Mautes

Manager Product Development Digital, Boeing

Anna-Lisa Mautes manages Digital Product Development at Boeing, bringing extensive expertise in aerospace, digital transformation, and agile methodologies. With a background in mechanical engineering and an MBA, she has led projects in digital aviation, advanced research, and software innovation. Her focus is on integrating cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance aviation efficiency and sustainability.

Guido Schwartz

Senior Strategist Aerospace, Airbus

Guido Schwartz is a strategic leader at Airbus known for his extensive collaboration with national, corporate, political, scientific, and entrepreneurial aviation stakeholders. He plays a key role in jointly developing and lobbying sustainable aviation strategies and projects, while fostering international partnerships and contributing to initiatives like Airbus TechHub, the GRQ hydrogen airport, and the Future Cabin Project steering board. Additionally, as an industry resident and primary academic liaison at TU Delft, Guido supports innovative R&T activities in green aerospace, mentors startups, and supervises master’s students.

Ron van Manen

Managing Director, Luchtvaart in Transitie

Ron van Manen is the Managing Director of Luchtvaart in Transitie, a Dutch initiative focused on accelerating the aviation sector’s transition to sustainability. Since April 2023, he has been leveraging his extensive knowledge of national and international aviation to collaborate with the Dutch government and various stakeholders. His professional journey began at TU Delft, where he studied Aerospace Engineering. Throughout his career, Ron has held positions at prominent organizations such as KLM, British Airways, QinetiQ, and the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking.

Innovation Floor

The Innovation Floor is the beating heart of the VSV Symposium 2025, open all day in the foyer of the Aula. This dynamic space brings together leading companies, startups, and student teams from the aviation sector, offering you a unique opportunity to connect with industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge technologies, and gain insight into the future of flight.

For more details on the participating companies, special showcases, and exciting opportunities that await you on the Innovation Floor, click the button below!