Welcome Maria !
This is your Bits & Pretzels Journey
Maria ย von Scheel-Plessen
Director Global, Founderin, The Dual Shift
About:

Leading by example and nurturing future generations is imperative. I am deeply committed to empowering professionals by giving them the direction they need to excel in their personal and career pursuits. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to use my voice in the media as a serial board member, keynote speaker, and guest lecturer. My areas of expertise include all-female leadership and all of the Marketing spectrum, from e-commerce and strategic Marketing paired with AI, advertising, brand & client engagement to digital transformation. As a speaker, I attended various international events such as RetailNXT, Women at Amazon, Web Summit, OMR, and many more. ๐ˆ ๐š๐ฆ ๐š ๐†๐ฅ๐จ๐›๐š๐ฅ ๐ƒ๐ข๐ซ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐š๐ญ ๐†๐ฎ๐œ๐œ๐ข ๐›๐š๐ฌ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐Œ๐ข๐ฅ๐š๐ง, ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐ ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐„๐Œ๐„๐€ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐„๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ž, ๐Œ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ž ๐„๐š๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐€๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ข๐œ๐š I oversee omnichannel media, advertising, and performance e-commerce for Gucci across 106 markets, as well as retail Marketing and client engagement. My role includes setting the strategic framework and direction for the region. ๐†๐ฅ๐จ๐›๐š๐ฅ ๐‡๐ž๐š๐ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Œ๐ž๐๐ข๐š & ๐€๐๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ญ ๐Œ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐›๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐œ In this role, I managed the global media and advertising strategy across 22 markets. I was dedicated to the digital transformation of the luxury house, enabling a seamless user journey and establishing omnichannel frameworks. My achievements include implementing attribution, bringing transparency to the entire marketing funnel. ๐Œ๐š๐ซ๐ค๐ž๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐š๐ญ ๐€๐ฆ๐š๐ณ๐จ๐ง I was responsible for the marketing and communications strategy for premium brands in Germany, Italy, and Spain. I led strategic market initiatives and global promotions such as Cyber Week and Prime Day to drive business performance. I also managed relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders. ๐‡๐ž๐š๐ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐ญ ๐€๐ฌ๐ข๐š ๐š๐ญ ๐™๐š๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐š (๐‘๐จ๐œ๐ค๐ž๐ญ ๐ˆ๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐ž๐ญ) I drove business growth in this role and managed brand relationships across seven markets. My role involved developing and implementing communications strategies to support Zalora's regional expansion and brand awareness. Feel free to follow my journey on IG (@mariaplessen) and my personal mission on The Dual Shift (@thedualshift), supporting women in their ambitious careers while raising a family.

Ticket Category:ย ย VIP
Monday, September 29th - Conference Day 1
Tuesday, September 30th - Conference Day 2

Briefings

In the briefing, youโ€™ll receive all essential information about the event and its surroundings โ€” everything you need to feel well-prepared and confident throughout the experience.

Your Agenda

Monday, September 28th, Conference Day 1
Time
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Conference Day I
Immerse yourself in a day filled with visionary keynotes, hands-on masterclasses, and exclusive networking opportunities.
6:30 - 10:00 pm
VIP Dinner @ Schottenhamel Oktoberfest
Enjoy our unique VIP Dinner Experience. At the heart of Oktoberfest, where tradition and innovation collide in the oldest of all tents.
Tuesday, September 29th, Conference Day 2
Time
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Conference Day II
Experience deep-dive discussions, interactive panel talks, and curated matchmaking sessions that bring together the brightest minds in business and innovation.
18:00 pm - 9:30 pm
VIP Dinner @ Kรคfer Feinkostladen
The evening promises high-level networking in an exceptional setting, complemented by exquisite cuisine. We are delighted to host the dinner at the iconic Kรคfer Feinkostladen, one of Munichโ€™s most renowned culinary institutions, and look forward to welcoming you for a memorable evening.
Wednesday, September 30th, Oktoberfest Day
Time
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Table Captain Breakfast
The Breakfast is taking place at the one and only, legendary "Teufelsrad"! This isn't just a breakfast โ€“ the historic venue embodies Bavarian tradition, offering you a unique glimpse into Oktoberfest's joyful spirit.
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Table Captain Networking
This is your moment to showcase your expertise and receive valuable insights from the attendees, sparking new ideas and connections.

Social Media Graphics

Share it on social media to announce your role at Bits & Pretzels 2026 and tag #Bits26. If you want to get the most out of this, here are our tips to boost reach & engagement:

  • Add the Hashtag #bits26 and mention @Bits&Pretzels so we can โ€จinteract with your content.
  • Mention any fellow speaker/table captains who are also attending
  • Mention what companies/people you are excited to meet at Bits

Social Media Posts - LinkedIn

Social Media Posts - Speaking Slot

Your Ticket

Your ticket grants access to all three days of the event.
Please use the exclusive VIP/Speaker check-in at Entrance West (badge collection with ticket + valid ID).
Note: short waiting times may occur on Monday morning.

Your Presentation - deadline 24.09.2025

Upload Guidelines for Presentations
If you have a presentation, please ensure that you submit your materials/files in a single zip folder containing the following:

1. Presentation File:

  • Keynote file 16:9 (1920x1080px) or PowerPoint file (.pptx, 1920x1080px).
  • Please make sure all fonts and videos are embedded within the file, if applicable.

2. PDF File:

  • A PDF version of your presentation with all fonts embedded.

3. Fonts:

  • Any custom fonts used in your presentation (please include the font files).

4. Videos:

  • All videos included in the presentation must also be provided separately.
  • Format: 16:9 aspect ratio, 1920x1080px (Full HD).
  • File type: MP4 or .m4v.
Deadline: All presentation materials must be submitted no later than September 24, 2025.
This is necessary to allow our technical team to review and test the presentations in advance.
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More for You

Hotel

Weโ€™ve taken care of your accomodation โ€” enjoy a comfortable stay at one of our selected partner hotels near the venue.

Shuttle

Enjoy complimentary shuttle service between the conference and event venues โ€” reserved for our VIP guests.

Tracht

Weโ€™ve got your traditional bavarian attire covered โ€” find all details here about your Dirndl or Lederhosen.

Your Contact Person

Maria Laura Valdivieso Vรฉlez

Program and Speaker Management

Christine Bruckschlรถgl

Senior Manager Speaker Operations