European e-commerce is being reshaped by the arrival of artificial intelligence and concepts like Agentic Commerce. That technical and commercial debate concentrates the offering at JTL Connect 2026, which takes place on October 2, 2026 at XPost, Cologne.
What defines the 2026 edition
JTL Connect 2026 arrives with formats that cover everything from hands-on training to large-stage presentations. The agenda includes Academy Day on October 1, a Pre-Connect night event, the main Connect day on October 2 and an after show party aboard the MS RheinMagie. The event takes place at XPost, the venue chosen by the organizers to concentrate exhibitions and stages.
Program and speakers that shape the agenda
The program combines product demonstrations and panel sessions on AI applied to online commerce. The initial lineup names speakers such as Sebastian Evers, Philipp “Pip” Klöckner, Ryan Prichard and Robin-Manuel Thiel, among others. The proposal includes more than seven thematic stages and over 40 expert talks to address operational and technical topics.
Key figures of the edition
- 60+ exhibitors
- 2,000 visitors
- 40+ expert talks
- Eighth edition, active since 2015
These figures help to size the day and define commercial objectives for those attending to capture leads, evaluate vendors or analyze the integration of AI solutions into the online sales stack.
How to prepare commercial prospecting at JTL Connect 2026
- Prioritize contacts according to the JTL ecosystem
Review the list of exhibitors and mark the companies that already integrate with or serve the JTL ecosystem. That filter saves time and improves the quality of meetings.
- Define concrete value propositions
Bring three short, actionable proposals linked to measurable results. Present concise use cases that show reduced cost per order, improved conversion or operational efficiency with AI.
- Schedule demos and micro meetings
Use the windows of Academy Day and the seven thematic stages to coordinate technical demos. Request 20 or 30 minutes per meeting and prepare access to sandboxes or technical material that can be reviewed on the spot.
- Take advantage of the marketplace sessions
The program includes an eBay-Stage focused on the future of the marketplace. If you work on channel expansion or listing optimization, prioritize those sessions and coordinate conversations with the relevant exhibitors.
Practical information for companies and delegates
- Main date: October 2, 2026. Academy Day and Pre-Connect on October 1.
- Venue: XPost, Cologne.
- Formats: Academy Day with hands-on workshops, Connect day with main stage and seven simultaneous themes, after show on MS RheinMagie.
Plan the day by slots: morning on the Main Stage for announcements and news, afternoon by topics for demos and contacts in the expo area.
What the 2026 edition brings
The 2026 edition concentrates the conversation around AI applied to commerce and the maturity of the JTL ecosystem. For commercial and technical teams it is an opportunity to compare vendors and validate specific integrations with a clear technical focus. If your roadmap includes process automation, marketplace optimization or adaptation to Agentic Commerce, the agenda and exhibitors allow a quick review of alternatives.
Official link and next action
Check the full agenda and buy tickets at https://www.jtl-connect.de and reserve Academy Day slots in advance if you need hands-on sessions. For those seeking commercial opportunities the advice is to arrive with measurable objectives and technical proofs ready to execute.
