We just wrapped up an incredible few days in Brussels at the IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2025, and the energy at the SQUARE Convention Centre was palpable.

Between the busy sessions and the bustle of the expo hall, it became clear that the privacy landscape is shifting. If you missed us at the event, here is a look at what went down, what people are worried about, and where the industry is heading next.

The Vibe: Bubbles and Big Realizations

Our presence this year was all about "deep conversations" (and yes, plenty of bubbles!). The booth traffic was fantastic, but what stood out most was the substance of the chats we had.

The attendance at our speaking sessions was high, and the feedback from the audience signaled a shared sentiment: we are at a market inflection point. There was widespread agreement that the industry is feeling the acute pain of using legacy solutions. These older tools simply cannot automate or truly "know" the data in the way modern organizations require. The resonance we felt around the concept of "Data Journeys" confirmed that privacy pros are ready for a new approach.

Key Takeaways: What Was Top of Mind?

We polled the room and listened to hundreds of visitors. Here is what the industry cared about most:

• The Hot Topics: The two main questions we fielded were, unsurprisingly, about AI Governance... and waffles. (When in Brussels, right?)
• Major Trends: Beyond the snacks, the dominating themes were the critical importance of trust and the necessity of data centers located within the EU.
• The Big Surprise: Perhaps the most interesting takeaway was a bit of a paradox. While visitors expressed that they are definitely tired of legacy solutions, we still noticed a lingering resistance to automation. People know the old way isn't working, but trusting a fully automated future is a leap some are still hesitant to take.

Moving Forward with Relyance

So, how do we solve that tension between hating legacy tools and fearing automation?

The answer lies in visibility. This is exactly why our Relyance Data Journeys solution struck such a chord with attendees. It addresses the need to modernize and automate without losing control or trust in your data.

If you are ready to leave legacy pain behind and see what a true Data Journey looks like, we’d love to show you. Take a demo today.