MSc Arch ETH Zurich Matthias Buehler, Founder & CTO, vrbn

After graduating from ETH Zurich (MSc Arch ETH), Matt has worked in Landscape Architecture, Architectural Visualization, Software Development, Urban Planning Consulting and VFX for almost 20 years. His first steps in 3D were in the year 1992.

Matthias founded vrbn (say 'urban') as a hightly technical service provider which creates 3D cities using advanced in-house procedural 3D content creation technologies. vrbn operates in multiple industry verticals, such as Games, VFX, Engineering, Simulation, Historic Visualization, XR and 3DGIS.

He has held countless international presentations, workshops, 3D software trainings and implemented custom consulting solutions for large Architecture / Engineering Firms and City Administrations. In the field of 3D Urban Design, 3D Geodesign and Master Planning, he has designed key workflows and pipelines.

Further, he's the organizer of the ICE.ART 3D Environment Conference (a FMX Conference Partner), is the host of the 3D Environment Podcast and is part of the Board of Managers of the German Section of the Visual Effects Society (VES).

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Matt is very passionate about AI Ethics and the Conditio Humana. He has held multiple presentations about the topic, in the Entertainment- and also the Architecture / Real-Estate industries. For his role as CTO of vrbn (which is 80% Software Developers), he must have a solid understanding of all aspects of AI: How it actually works, its influence on geopolitics, finance and the computer hardware market, its marketing psychology, and how it affects company strategies, staff and the general public.

Reka Kaloczy, Production & Business Development Producer | Strategic Advisor

Reka is originally Hungarian and based in Munich since 2018. She works as a creative development producer and strategic advisor, with 35+ years of international experience across animation, VFX, film and games. She has held leading creative, technical, management and producer roles, and is an expert for institutions, including Creative Europe. She consults on sustainable, cost-effective and most importantly, human-centred productions.

She has worked across cultures, production models and through major technological shifts from traditional animation to digital and high-end CGI. This gives her a holistic and practical view on new tools, including AI, and how they influence artistic work, production, collaboration and people. With an Eastern - Western European production background and global collaborations, she understands different creative approaches and ways of working. Besides her production work, she has worked as a recruiter for decades and has always been engaged in team development, giving her deep insight into the needs of creative professionals.

Reka is also active in mentoring, community building and promotes industry dialogue. She mentors for WIA and other organizations, is a member of professional organizations, a Women in Games Ambassador, and works as chairperson and mentor at Cartoon Springboard. She also moderates panels, including on AI in animation. She organizes networking events such as ‘Festivus’ and has founded 20+ professional groups. She is a strong believer in collaboration over competition and has always fostered collaboration. Long before current industry convergence trends, she has promoted and facilitated collaboration across animation, VFX, games and related industries through her groups, events and other initiatives.

Ben Lock, Head of Production Strategy, Moonvalley

Ben Lock is a BAFTA-winning producer working at the intersection of storytelling craft, VFX/animation production, and emerging production technology. Over 25 years across Europe, Asia, and North America, he has helped teams deliver complex work while translating new technical capability into practical, repeatable production workflows. His credits include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and Ready Player One. He has held roles across studios and technology companies including Aardman Animations, Framestore, Lucasfilm, and Autodesk, shaping an approach that keeps shot craft, continuity, and supervisor-facing review realities central. Based in Los Angeles, he leads AI-assisted production at Moonvalley, partnering with studios on commercially safe generative video models and artist-controllable pipelines. He leads the Producers Guild of America Conversations in Innovation working group, chairs the Visual Effects Society Education Committee, and is an alumnus of the UK National Film and Television School.

Agon Ushaku, POLYGRAIL

Agon Ushaku is a leadership personality in the CGI and VFX sectors with over 25 years of experience in production, management, and education. He currently serves as the Global Director of Nomination Events for the Visual Effects Society (VES) and has been a driving force within the organization for years, previously serving as the Chair of the VES Germany Section.

His extensive career includes nearly 16 years as Head of CAD/3D Visuals and Product & Data Management at Unexpected GmbH. Currently, he is a Senior CG/3D Consultant and CAD Manager at POLYGRAIL GmbH. Beyond production, Agon is a dedicated educator, serving as a lecturer at Macromedia University of Applied Sciences and as the curator of the international Megabrain Masterclass Series. He specializes in leading complex digital transformations, building high-performance teams, and bridging the gap between technical CAD workflows and high-end visual effects.