IAV SPARK, the Symposium on Pre-Ignition, Auto-Ignition, Reactivity, and Knock, has been a cornerstone of the international engine development community for more than two decades. Bringing together leading researchers, engineers, and industry experts from around the world, the event serves as a unique platform for sharing the latest insights and innovations in ignition systems, knock phenomena, and the efficient combustion of conventional and renewable fuels in internal combustion engines.

The success story began with two independent conferences: the International Conference on Knocking in SI Engines and the International Conference on Ignition Systems in SI Engines, launched in 2003 and 2012 respectively. Both events quickly established themselves as highly regarded forums for international knowledge exchange. Given their strong thematic connection, the next logical step was to unite them into a single, more powerful platform.

In 2022, the two conferences were merged for the first time under the motto "Two Events - One Goal." The response from the global engine development community was overwhelmingly positive. Building on this success, the format was continued in 2024, once again demonstrating the strong demand for a shared forum that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Together with our distinguished and increasingly international Advisory Board, we continued to drive the evolution of the event forward. In 2025, the conference crossed the Atlantic for the first time. Hosted in Detroit, the event attracted a global audience and further strengthened its position as a leading international forum for engine combustion and ignition research. For the first time under the new name: IAV SPARK.

Today, IAV, the Advisory Board, and I are especially proud to welcome you to IAV SPARK26 in Berlin. Together, we are creating a place where ideas are born, innovations are discussed, and the foundations for the next generation of efficient and sustainable combustion technologies are laid. We invite you to be part of this inspiring community and to help shape the future of mobility.