MEET GERMANY with successful hybrid SUMMIT in Berlin. The kick-off of the event series was emotional, with a focus on the joy of reunion and the opportunity for personal networking.
On August 25 and 26, everything revolved around „The [R]Evolution of Business | People, Technology & Planet“. The event days were multifaceted and hybrid: From interactive forum, informative exhibitor presentations by representatives from Berlin, Brandenburg as well as national and international destinations, an atmospheric evening event „NIGHT“, exciting bus tours through the Berlin location and hotel scene as well as targeted networking and interaction slots, there was something for every trade visitor.
„Visitors are queuing up at my stand – I have missed that very much“.
This quote from the „Dresdner Convention Bureaus“, exhibitor at the SUMMIT, is characteristic of the mood on site. The expectations of the organizer MEET GERMANY were exceeded. Interest in the event was high – equally among exhibitors, speakers and trade visitors. „Actually live and in person again“ is the phrase that quickly caught on when the event was announced. „Whether it was a 15-hour journey from Austria, 7 hours from Hamburg – our industry was desperate to get to Berlin,“ said Tanja Schramm, CEO MEET GERMANY and organizer. „In addition to the current hygiene regulations, even the rail strike could not keep trade visitors and exhibitors alike away from SUMMIT. All program offerings were in good demand. We are really overwhelmed by the interest of all participants.“
Together with visitBerlin, 2bdifferent, the event agency Time Change and more than 80 exhibitors, MEET GERMANY welcomed over 520 trade visitors on both days, more than 350 of them analog. Over 200 industry representatives visited the FORUM and over 100 event planners participated in the bus tours offered. Over 170 people celebrated the SUMMIT kick-off at the „NIGHT“. The composition of all participants was diverse and thus ensured a high-quality exchange: representatives of companies from business and culture, associations, non-profit organizations, marketing and event agencies, service providers as well as from the trade media.
In terms of content, the SUMMIT focused on networking, the future of the industry after the pandemic, digitalization and sustainability. Furthermore, much emphasis was placed on the transfer of personal knowledge and experience.
One format stood out surprisingly. Not just because it made people smile, but because it was simply honest: Whether a strong-willed fog machine led to firefighting or various adversities in planning customer events pushed even professional event planners to their limits, at FUCKUP MORNING at The Student Hotel, industry representatives provided laughs and understanding in equal measure.
Also in demand was the virtual DIGISTAGE with its futuristic, really cool themes. The ideas were creative and on the pulse of the times. Here, too, the deep need of the industry to want to act again was evident. And that – despite the desire for analog events – the thirst for knowledge about digital possibilities is unbroken and will remain so.
The bus tours, supported by Hanse Mondial and the agency zeitreisen, offered not only the proven Berlin location highlights but also brand new locations and a sometimes quite sporty program: The way up to the dome of the French Cathedral at the French Friedrichstadt Church was high, the view over Berlin and the insight into the newly renovated location were a great reward. Furthermore, locations such as the Heeresbäckerei, the Hurricane Factory, the RBB Dachlounge, everyworks, DEEP Eventlocation or the Wintergarten Varieté and many more inspired.
Pure emotion
After the FORUM in the AXICA Congress and Conference Center and the TOUR, another program highlight was the „NIGHT“ in the Humboldt Carré. Why was this evening event so special? Because industry friends were allowed to meet again, to feel, hear, speak, see and taste with all their senses. The Brass & Beats ensemble of the Berlin Show Orchestra, which operates on a long-term basis, brought tears to the eyes. Not because the music was sad. No, because music could be experienced together again. „How touching it was to see the joy in the faces of our guests at the first sound of the orchestra. Wonderful music, the best conversations, a good drink to go with it – just like old times. And with distance and mask nevertheless new. Big thanks here to Stefan Lohmann (Sustainable Event Solutions) and btl next, who made this interlude possible,“ said Tanja Schramm. „In addition, I’m thrilled that Kofler & Kompanie with its new management Konstantina Dagianta and Branco Cucic shows face again.“
Incidentally, anyone who thought the second and final evening event was for resting was wrong. At the mydays Erlebniswerk, it was buckle up, fly away or drive off. For the secret racers or pilots among the guests, the rides on simulators provided plenty of adrenaline.
„Two exciting, emotional and important days have come to an end. We are very grateful for the interest in our SUMMIT series and the encouragement to break new ground. Further, we are really happy to have incredibly good and above all courageous partners at our side. Whether already in analog times and now in the hybrid event world – it is exciting and valuable to accept challenges, try out, dare and grow together with partners. For example, we were able to ensure a safe event thanks to FastLane and its modern, contactless accreditation system. Many thanks also to Konstanze Agatz, NIKKUS Digital Solutions, AXICA Kongress- und Tagungszentrum, Eventwide Berlin, Flower and Art, Doo, vidivent, Unusual Thinkers, easyCube, Sandra Pabst and all other partners.
MEET GERMANY on tour:
The MEET GERMANY SUMMIT Tour 2021 continues:
September 21 to 23 MEET EUROPE EVENT in Switzerland
27 to 28 October MEET GERMANY SUMMIT in NRW
17 to 18 November MEET GERMANY SUMMIT in Rhein-Main
8 to 9 December MEET GERMANY SUMMIT in Munich
Info for exhibitors and visitors at: https://meet-germany.network/events
Photos: MEET GERMANY // Photographer: Valentin Paster (berlin-eventfotograf.de)
MEET GERMANY and MEET EUROPE are brands of Event Destinations GmbH
Obentrautstraße 55, 10963 Berlin, Germany
www.meet-germany.network
MEET GERMANY is your network of the MICE and Business Travel industry in the German-speaking countries. The industry community has grown to 3,400 network partners from over 1,400 companies. The network brings protagonists of the event industry into interaction on its digital platform and its events, networks its members in a targeted manner and promotes the transfer of know-how among them.
