On October 24, 2024, Mannheim hosted a significant expert conference on the hydrogen economy, with a spotlight on the outcomes of the H2Rivers and H2Rhein-Neckar funding projects. These projects, which received a total funding of €97 million, successfully built a local hydrogen value chain in the Rhine-Neckar region, positioning it as a prominent showcase for hydrogen technology. During the conference, experts from various fields such as politics, business, and academia shared valuable insights to guide the future of the hydrogen economy. Notably, MISES researcher Katrin Gschwind contributed to the discussion, emphasizing the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of hydrogen initiatives. The event not only celebrated the achievements of the current projects but also prompted discussions on the challenges that lie ahead at both national and European levels. These discussions aimed to address critical decisions that need to be made now to guarantee sustainable value creation in the long run. Overall, the conference in Mannheim served as a platform to reflect on past successes, gather key learnings, and provide a roadmap for the future development of the hydrogen economy.