Join us in Düsseldorf, 20–21 May 2026, at the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management for the 71st Beyond Budgeting Round Table (BBRT) – two days of pragmatic, people-first management innovation. This year’s event is a collaboration between the Beyond Budgeting Round Table (BBRT) and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, delivered as a joint initiative to bring cutting-edge management thinking and practice to the heart of Europe.
This year, we’re building on the new Management Deep Dive podcast series (created with the Beyond Budgeting Institute) to shape a programme that moves from ideas to implementation.
Expect a rich mix of cutting-edge theory, hands-on practice, and inspiring real-world case studies from leading organisations across sectors.
Why this year is different
Beyond Budgeting isn’t just an adjustment to traditional management — it’s a radical shift in how organisations operate, lead, and adapt.
This spring, we’ll be looking at the changes organisations are making right now: beyond static annual budgets, towards dynamic, decentralised decisions, and human-centric performance. These will be our themes in Düsseldorf, each with case-led sessions and hands-on tools. As a BBRT–WHU joint initiative, the programme blends academic insight with practical implementation experience.
Conference Highlights:
- Engaging Discussions – Learn directly from organisations that have adopted Beyond Budgeting, sharing insights on challenges, results, and lessons learned.
- Interactive Workshops – Gain practical tools to support your own implementation and foster a culture of trust and agility.
- Case Studies – See how companies have moved beyond traditional budgets toward more adaptive, decentralised models.
- Networking Opportunities – Build connections with professionals, experts, and peers who are redefining management for a new era.
A Two-Day Experience of Ideas, Insights and Interaction
Over one and a half days, participants will engage in a dynamic programme designed to spark learning and collaboration.
Day 1 (20 May) offers two optional half-day workshops (13:00–17:00):
- Introduction to Beyond Budgeting — perfect for those new to the model and looking for a solid foundation in its core principles.
- Implementation Forum — a collaborative space for practitioners to share experiences, challenges, and successes in applying Beyond Budgeting in real organisations.
Day 2 (21 May) is the main conference day (09:00–16:00), featuring keynote speakers, case studies, and interactive sessions exploring how Beyond Budgeting enables agility, trust, and better performance.
On the evening before the conference, you’re invited to an informal networking dinner — a relaxed opportunity to connect with peers, experts, and practitioners from around the world.
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for:
- Finance practitioners, business leaders, and HR professionals aiming to make their organisations more adaptive and people-focused.
- Change leaders and consultants supporting transformations toward agile, values-driven ways of working.
- Anyone curious about rethinking management models and exploring practical alternatives to traditional budgeting.
Why Attend
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of Beyond Budgeting and its impact on organisational performance.
- Learn directly from pioneering experts and successful implementers.
- Discover innovative tools and strategies for transitioning to a more agile, trust-based management approach.
- Network with professionals from across industries and share ideas for creating sustainable, high-performance organisations.
Event Details
📍 Location: WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management – Campus Düsseldorf
📅 Dates: 20–21 May 2026
🕒 Times:
- Introductory Workshops – 20 May, 13:00–17:00
- Main Conference – 21 May, 09:00–16:00
- 🎟️ Ticket Price: To be announced
- 🥂 Networking Dinner: Evening of 19 May (optional)
About the Beyond Budgeting Round Table
The Beyond Budgeting Round Table (BBRT) is an international community that has been convening for over two decades. Each conference brings together professionals who are rethinking performance management — replacing rigid budgets with more adaptive, ethical, and effective ways of leading organisations.
The Düsseldorf event, co-hosted with WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, continues this tradition, offering both newcomers and experienced practitioners the opportunity to deepen their understanding, exchange ideas, and take practical inspiration back to their organisations.
Join the Movement
Beyond Budgeting isn’t an event you attend or a book you read — it’s a movement you join.
In Düsseldorf, you’ll meet the thinkers, doers, and challengers redefining how organisations decide, lead and perform. Whether you’re just discovering the principles or deep into implementation, this round table is your chance to test ideas, share experiences, and build lasting momentum.
Start your journey now with the Management Deep Dive podcast — your pre-attendance playlist for BBRT71. Each episode explores a theme that will inspire you and help you arrive ready to engage, question, and contribute.
In Düsseldorf, you’ll hear what’s new, what’s working, and what’s next for organisations that have dared to go beyond budgeting.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change.
👉 Register your interest today and set a reminder for when tickets become available:
Set a reminder on Eventbrite →