The Magazine of the GERMAN CONVENTION BUREAU
English Edition 2 / 2013
The evolution of Germany‘s meeting and convention industry Conversations, Ideas, Stories
www.germany-meetings.com
Meetings and Conventions 2030 A study of megatrends shaping our industry
Formats of meetings in the Digital Age Exchange of information, impartation of knowledge and building communities
www.lufthansa.com
www.germany.travel/gcb
CONGRATULATIONS!
congressfrankfurt
Messe Frankfurt Venue
The Seven Centers of Germany would like to congratulate the German Convention Bureau on 40 years of successful marketing for the convention and meeting destination Germany! GERMANY. The number one meeting location in Europe.
EDITORIAL 03
Dear Reader,
C
onferences, conventions and meetings are of major importance to companies and associations, both in research and in business. This is nothing new and has been the case for quite a while. In 2013 the GCB is
Two images may serve as examples to illustrate the extent to which conventions have changed over the last 30 years alone. Around 1980 the common picture was that of a big plenary hall with a large audience
The evolution of Germany‘s meeting and convention industry
giving organisers of meetings, conferences and other events specific recommendations for action, so that they can prepare for future challenges in good time.
now celebrating its 40th anniversary – a good occasion to look back on the development of meetings since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. This review has resulted in a publication entitled “The evolution of Germany’s meeting and convention industry” which we are presenting in our current customer magazine. Each of the four chapters highlights an important milestone and aspect of the German meetings industry during this period – the importance of conventions in economic history, the architecture of convention centres, the psychological importance of meetings and the internationalisation of this industry.
and a speaker up front, on the stage, small and quite far away. Nowadays, on the other hand, there is a trend towards multi-functional rooms with natural light as well as smaller, mutually networked localised meetings. Moreover, preference is often given to more innovative formats such as “bar camps”. This example shows that our business is continually changing, and we therefore need to ask ourselves an important question about the future of our industry: How will it develop, and how are we going to meet those new challenges? Guided by these questions, the GCB commissioned a new study entitled “Meetings and Conventions 2030: A study of megatrends shaping our industry”. It highlights the most important mega-trends of the next few decades,
The GCB’s two anniversary publications cover a broad spectrum of over 80 years – a period when massive changes have occurred and will continue to occur. Up to the present time, the meetings industry in Germany has been developing very positively and impressively. Moreover, I am confident that this success will continue in the times ahead. The key to it will be to ensure that we keep a conscious eye on the future and that we make an active impact on it. I hope you’ll enjoy reading this magazine.
Matthias Schultze Managing Director GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.
04 CONTENT
Supported by:
The Magazine of the GERMAN CONVENTION BUREAU
German National Tourist Board www.germany.travel
English Edition 2 / 2013
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GCB Editorial Outlook: GCB Newspaper GCB appoints sustainability advisor Dialogue between the Meetings Industry and Politicians – Meeting Experts Conference 2014 (MEXCON) Customer Advisory Board Meeting of the GCB has given positive feedback on both content and form Industry dates – Places where you can find us
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NEWS – Germnay NEWS – Hotels NEWS – Transport
The evolution of Germany’s meeting and convention industry The evolution of Germany’s meeting and convention industry 06 Lindau on Lake Constance – a Meeting between Nobel Laureates 10
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Meetings and Conventions 2030 Meetings and Conventions 2030 Formats of Meetings in the Digital Age Germany as a MICE Destination for Generation Y
Imprint
Executive Board: Matthias Schultze Printing: Druck- und Verlagshaus Zarbock GmbH & Co. KG V.i.S.d.P.: Martina Nesper, Editorial Staff: GCB German Convention Bureau e. V. Featured writers in this issue: GCB, Claudia Sporn, Dr. Michael Feld, Claudia Brückner, Rob Davidson, Layout: Sven Steglich
Publisher
GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.
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Kaiserstraße 53 60329 Frankfurt/Main, Germany Tel. +49 69 242 930- 0 Fax +49 69 242 930- 26 E-Mail info@gcb.de www.gcb.de
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Title: GCB; Pictures: p 3: CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, iStockphoto I republica 2012; p 6: iStockphoto I republica 2012; p 8: Wissenschafts- und Kongresszentrum Darmstadt; p 10: Walter Kohn discussing with young researchers, Foto/Credit: Rolf Schultes / Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings; p14: kallejipp / photocase.com; p 20: fotolia_© Thomas Pajot; p 28: © StockPixstore - Fotolia.com; p 29: Marriott Hotels, Maritim Hotels; p 30: WLAN am Bahnhof ©DB/Manz, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Rolf Bewersdorf
Frequency: biannual; The GCB is supported by: Strategic Partners: German National Tourist Board, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Deutsche Bahn AG, IMEX - incorporating Meetings made in Germany; Preferred Partners: Accor Hospitality Germany GmbH, DüsseldorfCongress Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart Convention Bureau / Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH
06
THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY
The evolution of Germany’s meeting and convention industry n The GCB is using its 40th anniversary in 2013 as an occasion for a review: “The evolution of Germany’s meeting and
convention industry – Conversations, Ideas, Stories” is full of interesting facts and figures about the meetings industry since the beginnings of the Federal Republic of Germany.
W
hen the GCB was founded in 1973, it was a bold step forward. The industry was still in its infancy, there were hardly any convention centres for big meetings, the railway system, air traffic and motorways were still being expanded, and many countries still had major reservations about Germany.Yet the creation of the GCB was a necessary and pioneering step which was soon
followed by amazingly dynamic developments in the industry. Today Germany is one of the most popular destinations for meetings, and the widely respected Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index has given it the second global ranking among 50 nations, after the United States. This is partly due to a first-class infrastructure and as many as about 6,900 German meeting venues, covering an enormous bandwidth.
n Positive image through meetings
After the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany, the country’s structures for meetings and conventions had reached rock bottom. However, from the mid-1960s onwards, German science and research began to gain fresh momentum, and the first international symposiums and also industry meetings and
THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY 07
conventions were held again. The significance of such events for Germany was highlighted by Günter Verheugen, former Vice President of the European Commission and currently honorary professor at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt an der Oder: “Set against the background of World War II and Nazi crimes it was absolutely vital for the young Federal Republic to regain trust. But trust can only grow if people meet on a personal level. I therefore believe that meetings and conventions with an international presence were more important for our country than for others, because they gave our guests direct insights into Germany.” n Meetings as a driving force on the
road to the top One decisive step towards becoming an international destination for conventions was the construction of Germany’s first big convention centres in Hamburg and Berlin.
It meant that from the mid1970s onwards more international meetings and conventions were held in Germany again. In 1980 15 international conventions with global significance were held at the CCH alone. By the 1990s Germany was again seen as the most prominent place for conventions in Europe. According to the ICCA, German venues were used for as many as 1,992 meetings of associations between 1990 and 1999. After German reunification Europe began to grow more closely together, which caused an increasing demand for an exchange of experience, coordination and representation of interests. This development was of great benefit to Germany with its central position in the heart of Europe. Since then the meetings industry has become a national economic factor. According to an ICCA ranking in 2012, Germany was number one in Europe as the most successful host country for conventions and the global number
CONFERENCES OF INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS 5,557
held in Germany since 1963
two, after the United States – and indeed for the ninth time in succession. This success has had its impact well beyond the meetings industry: “We cannot overestimate the importance of meetings and conventions for the social and economic development of Germany and their role in making this country a modern knowledge-based society,” says Prof. Detlev Ganten, founder of the World Health Summit in Berlin. n Long history of conference facilities A central role is played by the buildings where meetings and conventions are held. About two thirds of such events in Germany take place at conference hotels. Next, there are also over 1,500 meeting and convention centres in many German cities. These continue a long-standing tradition. Cologne’s Gürzenich, a special municipal building for festivities and events of various kinds, was built as early as 1447. Many of
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THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY
“The evolution of Germany’s meeting and convention industry – Conversations, Ideas, Stories”: the facilities that are now used as convention centres were built around 1900. The development proceeded from historic buildings used for conventions to purposebuilt facilities in the 1970s, marking the beginning of a multifunctional approach to architecture. It then continued with state-of-the-art glass designs, halls in natural light and specially sustainable concepts. One increasingly important aspect is the move towards rooms or zones offering a casual atmosphere. “Architecture must seamlessly combine contrasts such as distance and closeness as well as the public sphere and privacy. This makes it possible to experience a largescale meeting as a whole, while there may be numerous smaller discussions and exchanges going on, each with its own specific features,” says the internationally renowned star architect Zaha Hadid, who also contributed to the German meetings landscape with her design of a hall for Nürnberg Messe (the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre). n Face-to-face communication continues to be crucial Despite important issues on the agenda as well as the allocation of rooms and the logistics of an event, all meetings and conventions continue to centre around personal contact between individuals. They are occasions when people meet face to face and enter into dialogue. This is why live meetings still have their place in the age of digital media. Nevertheless, the internet has led to a shift in the function of a convention, moving away from mere knowledge transfer towards networking and establishing personal contacts. What exactly is the attraction of people meeting face to face? And why will personal contact continue to be irreplaceable in the future? One answer has been provided by Ulrike Six, Professor of Communication Psychology: “Face-to-face communication satisfies certain
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Informative articles, interviews with renowned experts and a summary of the study “Meetings and Conventions 2030” Large amount of photographic material, including many historical photos Five chapters: ■■
Germany as a Host Country
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Architecture
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Psychology
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Internationalisation
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The Future
Can be ordered from a minimum volume of 10 copies, also as branded copies with individual labels (logo of ordering company together with the GCB logo). The cost price is 20 Euro plus VAT per copy.
central needs in a person. It provides a feeling of security and creates a sense of togetherness.” Such feelings are conveyed by meetings and conventions, bringing together people from the same industry, with opportunities to exchange ideas among like-minded people. Over the last few decades a wide range of new meeting formats has emerged, e.g. open forms of conferences such as bar camps and workshops such as World Cafés and Open Space Technology. There is also an increasing trend to include various media in the course of a meeting as well as in the preparations and the follow-up, where they have come to play a dominating role. The methods and media which we use for communication are becoming more and more diversified. However, the desire for personal dialogue will continue unabated. In fact, this need for genuine face-to-face communication is our capital and will always be the basis of the meetings industry.
n Internationalisation based on mobility The meetings industry has always been international.Yet now, in the age of globalisation, the elements of mobility and communication have finally come to rule with almost no limits. People, markets, science and research are networked with each other across national borders and across continents. This presents the meetings industry with both opportunities and challenges. One of the main engines of this development is technological progress, especially in communications and transport. The ongoing expansion of the infrastructure has led to a sudden increase in mobility and has helped Germany greatly in establishing itself as a popular host nation on a global scale. This is partly the merit of Lufthansa, a founding member of the GCB, which implemented its idea of regular flights in 1955, when it first offered global and independent transport to its passengers. The number of air passengers has been rising for many years now. A large number of international guests come from other European countries, though also from East Asia and from North and South America. In
THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY 09
2012 Germany’s intercontinental traffic accounted for over 35 million passengers. Another founding member of the GCB is the German railway company Deutsche Bahn. During the 1970s it concentrated on the development of new routes and on the provision of faster trains, such as the InterCity and the EuroCity. One major step was the introduction of high-speed trains in 1991: Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam can now be reached at speeds up of to 200 mph (320 km/h). In 2012 long-distance trains were used by 131 million passengers, including numerous convention delegates. Moreover, political events such as the collapse of the Soviet system created the conditions for a single world which, until 1989, had been divided into two by the Iron Curtain. It is only since the fall of the Berlin Wall that we can speak of genuine internationalisation, as it now also includes the former Eastern Bloc countries. Another aspect of internationalisation is the gradual appearance of growing competition from new host countries such as Brazil, India, China, Japan and Russia. These are becoming increasingly significant, both in global politics and
economically. In the future the Next Eleven are set to gain in importance: Egypt, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam. Also, East Asia is currently investing large amounts of money in its meetings industry, thus putting massive pressure on Germany as a host country. n Positive outlook
There can be no doubt that today’s world is different from the one 40 years ago, when the GCB was founded. The meetings industry is faced with many new competing host countries. Nevertheless, Germany is still in a good position as a destination for conventions, and has successfully maintained its status as a popular host country for several decades. Set against the background of radical changes in the global meetings infrastructure and technology, Germany has always been a leading innovator and investor. Based on this foundation, it will continue to attract guests to meetings and conventions in Germany from all over the world.
www.gcb.de
Outlook: GCB Newspaper
GCB Newspap Ausgabe 1 / 2014
The Magazine
of the GERMAN
CONVENTION
er BUREAU
n New format for GCB customer information Thema 1
Itaeperro volorem. Itatusa essima dit illescias idem restruptius , imperit offic tenis utemo quae ... Seite 3
T
he GCB customer magazine “Meetings Made in Germany” will be published in a new format from 2014. Using the form of a newspaper, we will provide you with
news from the GCB and the German meetings industry. Each issue will focus on different areas, presented in an informative manner.
„Plan-Do-Che
Thema 2
Itaeperro volorem. Itatusa essima dit illescias idem restruptius , imperit offic tenis utemo quae ... Seite 4
ck-Act“ – ein neue
Thema 3
Itaeperro volorem. Itatusa essima dit illescias idem restruptius , imperit offic tenis utemo quae ... Seite 6
Thema 4
Itaeperro volorem. Itatusa essima dit illescias idem restruptius , imperit offic tenis utemo quae ... Seite 7
s Rezept für nach
Ebenso wie beim Gelingen einer guten Speise ist Ein neues Erfolgsre die optimale Abstimm zept hierfür heißt ung aller Kompon PDCA.
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Die neue Norm dend: ISO20121, die seit Mitte 2012 existiert, ist hilfreich nahmen darstellt. für Veranstaltungsplane Und beziehen Sie Sie deckt die r: Dienstleister, Lieferante gesamte Wertschöp „Check“: Alles n und Sponsoren fungskette richtig gemacht? einer Veranstalt in den Prozess mit ein. Tauschen ung ab – von der In der dritten Phase, Sie neue Ideen ein. Dies könnte Lieferantenauswahl über die eine Art Kontrollph und Möglichetwa bei der Anreise keiten aus; dies umweltschonende se oder Soll/Ist-Ab akann zur schnellen der Einsatz von Shuttle-Bu Mobilität bis hin zur Kommunik gleich darstellt, Lösungsfindung beitragen. ssen und E-Mobilitä werden die ation. Die Norm zuvor definierten die Einbindung t sein, folgt dem Ziele mit den erreichten „Plan-Do-Check-Act-A des ÖPNV in das glichen: nsatz“ (PDCA) verDB-Ticket, um Wie viele Teilnehme Taxifahrten zu vieler Managementsysteme. vermeiden, oder r sind tatsächlich „Do“: Los geht’s! Ganz gleich, ob mit der Bahn die Auswahl von Hotels, die angereist? Wie man eine Zertifizierung alle fußläufig Bevor Sie zur nachhaltig war anstrebt oder nicht: das Catering? Und erreichbar sind. Umsetzung übergehen Alles, was nachträglic PDCA ist ein wie viele Lieferante hilfreiches Rezept , müssen Sie die notwendig h verändert wird, zur Umsetzung n kamen tatsächlich aus en Kompetenzen sollten Sie übrigens auch nachhaltiger der Region? Inwieweit Events. aufbauen dokumentieren. und Mitarbeite konnten CO2-Ausstoß r schulen. Sodann und Abfall reduziert ist zu prüfen, wie und mit welchen werden? Finden Sie heraus, Mitteln die gesetzten „Plan“: Die ersten welche Kriterien le erreicht werden Zienicht rücksichtig Schritte bekönnen: Soll etwa t wurden und Konkret: Sie planen welche Verbesseru die Anreise mit der Bahn gen für zukünftige eine zweitägige nforciert werden, nationale Veranstaltung Veranstaltungen bietet sich das klimaneutrale mit rund 500 sinnvoll sind. Überprüfen Veranstaltungsticket Teilnehmern. Sie dabei systematis Legen Sie zuerst der DB an. Wollen Sie nur die nachhaltig ch alle Handlungsfelder ökologische Speisen en Leitlinien und Maßnahm und Ziele hierfür servieren, verpflichten Sie en. fest. Wie etwa: einen zertifizierten „Wir wollen den CO2-Ausst Bio-Caterer. Möchten Sie oß um 30 Prozent „Act“: Beim zweiten den Müll reduzieren reduzieren“. Hieraus leiten Mal wird alles und auf Printprodukte sich dann die besser... verzichten, so Handlungsfelder und Maßnahm wickeln sie alles elektronisch ab. en ab – wie beispielwe Nach der Veranstalt Legen Sie dabei ise die Nutzung lokaler ung ist vor der Wert auf eine detaillierte Dokument Lieferanten, die Veranstaltung, denn ation: Dadurch nun steht die Anreise mit öffentlichen Verkehrsm Nachsteuerung können Sie Entwicklun Sprich: Wo können itteln oder der an. gsschritte besser Einsatz regenerativer Energien. Sie Korrekturen nachvollziehen und Einsparpot vornehmen, die dem ganzheitlic Erstellen Sie sich entiale belegen. einen Leitfaden, hen Konzept Rechnung dazu Sobald alle Schritte auf ihre der alle erforderlich gen – und die traMachbarkeit überprüft Sie auch steuern en Maßden, findet die wurkönnen? Nach Abschluss der Umsetzung statt. Überprüfung defi nieren Sie die Ziele neu und leiten die notwendig en Schritte Preferred Partner Strategische Partner
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THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY
Lindau on Lake Constance – a Meeting between Nobel Laureates n As before, the first week in July was an important time this year. Again, more than 30 Nobel laureates came to
Lindau on Lake Constance from all parts of the world to meet for an entire week. Dr. Michael Feld, who regularly participates at the meeting as a publicist and has written a biography of the longtime Vice President of the Board of Trustees Ludwig Feinendegen in 2005, describes the history and importance of this event.
O
ther invited guests were numerous international visitors and, in particular, over 600 students from all the ends of the earth who had been specially selected in a complex procedure, each of them with extraordinary above-average academic talents. The structural backbone of this very special event – held every summer since 1951 – consisted of lectures, panel discussions, master classes, formal and
informal meetings, an opening event, a get-together, press conferences and the traditional boat trip from Lindau to the island of Mainau on the final day of the week. After the Second World War Germany was academically burnt out and had lost its academic lifeblood. Jewish and non-Jewish poets, philosophers, physicists, chemists, biologists, physicians and other leading thinkers had been
killed, expelled, exiled, traumatised or forced to emigrate. Several fascinating decades of explosive intellectual panache had come to an abrupt or painful end. Take, for instance, the Göttingen Nobel Prize Miracle whereby, in essence, an amazing number of Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry were awarded to researchers from the University of Göttingen until 1945. In fact, between 1905 and 2000 a total of
44 Nobel prizes were awarded to Göttingen scholars. The pre-1945 laureates were: Max von Laue (1914), Max Planck (1918), James Franck und Gustav Hertz (1925), Werner Heisenberg (1932), Paul Dirac (1933), Enrico Fermi (1938), Adolf Butenandt (1939), Otto Hahn (1944), Wolfgang Pauli (1945). Manned space travel, modern molecular biology and all of nuclear technology and quantum physics would have been unthinkable without the achievements of German researchers before the Second World War. n Revival of the mind It was therefore a logical and indeed wise idea when two doctors in Lindau – Gustav Parade and Franz Karl-Hein – suggested to Count Lennart Bernadotte (1909–2004) on the island of Mainau in 1950 that an
THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY 11
annual meeting of Nobel laureates should be held, giving Germany access to the world of science again. Count Lennart, grandson of the Swedish King Gustav V, facilitated this project through his contacts with the Nobel Prize Committee in Stockholm. Later, together with his second wife, Countess Sonja (1944 - 2008), and with a group of enthusiastic helpers (the Council), he developed an annual meeting that was to acquire an excellent global reputation. During the first few years it was primarily attended by German doctors and medical students. Over the decades, however, the group of invited laureates and the audience developed increasingly into a nucleus of transgenerational scientific dialogue with a clearly international dimension. Since the mid-1950s three scientific disciplines have alternated from year to year: physics,
chemistry and medicine. Since the 50th anniversary meeting in 2000 there has been an interdisciplinary meeting every five years and, since 2004, a further conference on economics, held in connection with an annual prize awarded by the Swedish national bank, Sveriges Riksbank, also in Stockholm, in memory of Alfred Nobel. The economists‘ meeting has so far been held in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011 and is due again in 2014. During the 1990s the meeting was beset by financial concerns, and the organisers concluded that the global development of the macrocosmic scientific community and, by analogy, its microcosmic counterpart, the meeting itself, would have to be matched by reliable and continuous funding, by a greater international focus and by a more targeted selection of delegates. In addition to
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12
THE EVOLUTION OF GERMANY'S MEETING AND CONVENTION INDUSTRY
the Council as the content planning committee and the academic connection with Stockholm, a further foundation was set up in 2000. It was the fruit of numerous talks and much travelling, and its purpose was to promote the funding and internationalism of the meeting – an objective which the foundation has achieved remarkably well until the present day. In its early days, the success of the Foundation was mainly the merit of Countess Sonja Bernadotte, who had succeeded her husband as President of the Council in 1987, assisted by the Vice-President Ludwig Feinendegen with his far-reaching international contacts. Later, their success was above all continued through the extraordinary initiative of the Foundation‘s President Wolfgang Schürer (St. Gallen, Switzerland) and his team (incl. Nikolaus Turner, treasurer of the Foundation and member of the Council) as well as Thomas Ellerbeck. All of these were instrumental in making the Lindau Nobel Laureates‘ Meeting a globally
Author: Dr. Michael Feld is a general practitioner, somnologist (DGSM), sleep specialist and scientific commentator. Most recent publication: Schlafen für Aufgeweckte (SüdwestVerlag 2012). www.praxis-dr-feld.de
renowned and highly successful scientific event. The very first event that was held by the Foundation of Lindau Nobel Laureates‘ Meetings on Lake Constance was attended by 247 Nobel laureates. The Honorary Senate of the Foundation includes numerous personalities from the worlds of business, politics and science, such as the German Chancellor, the President of the EU Commission, the founder of Microsoft and the head of Volkswagen. n A networked meeting This year – a year of chemistry under the annual schedule – the meeting (held from 30 June to 5 July) was attended by 34 Nobel laureates and 625 students from the entire world as well as by dozens of guests of honour, industrialists, politicians and journalists. All the students had passed a multi-stage selection process, so that only the brightest and best of the various nations were admitted to Lindau where they could enjoy direct, informal contact with those highly distinguished scientific experts. Many life-long neural, social, professional and private bonds were formed which, at some stage, will lead to new Nobel Prizes. Take, for instance, Bert Sakmann who, in 1991, won the Nobel Prize in Medicine together with Erwin Neher for the technique of measuring intracellular signals, e.g. in ion channels. He had previously been in Lindau as a student, and – since receiving the award – has enjoyed coming back to the meetings on Lake Constance as a laureate. From 2000 onwards the meeting has been given greater publicity among the general public. The Mediatheque on the Lindau Meetings website is therefore an amazing treasure trove of bright-
mindedness. Public online content currently covers 65 past meetings, with 174 video lectures, 288 abstracts and 279 CVs of 428 Nobel laureates. Again and again, Lindau has been a place where opposite poles could meet anew – traditionalism and modernism, young and old, rich and poor, conservative, evolutionary and revolutionary thinkers, academia, social welfare protagonists, politicians, business and the media. Setting up this major annual meeting always involved a highly demanding task to ensure a delicate balance with the right proportions between structure and content. For over six decades this has been the achievement of several committees, consisting mainly of voluntary members. Moreover, the task of establishing and cultivating ties with the Nobel Prize Committee in Stockholm was not always easy, particularly as the Committee took quite a critical attitude towards the meetings at first. Now, however, with hindsight, the result of the work can clearly be described as successful. Members of the Nobel Prize Committees for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine and even Economics have been permanent members of the Lindau Council for several years. A major role in this area is now being played by Countess Bettina Bernadotte who succeeded her father, Count Lennart, and her mother, Countess Sonja, as a highly committed Council President in 2008. Conscious of traditions, she provides a valuable family link with the Swedish royal family. If it had not been for the Bernadottes and the untiring work of their predecessors for over 60 years, this meeting would never have achieved its current position or indeed such well sustained, substantive, intercultural, international and transgenerational success. www.lindau-nobel.org
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MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030
Meetings and Conventions 2030 n In the 40th year of its existence the GCB German Convention Bureau is not only studying its own history but also
looking ahead into the future. A study of megatrends shaping our industry “Meetings and Conventions 2030� was published a few days ago, showing the challenges and opportunities of future developments.
O
n 8 October 2013 a press conference was held where the GCB and its partners gave a first-time presentation of the results provided by the study. The study, conducted by the Institute for Future Studies and Technology Assessment (IZT) looks at current mega-trends, their future development and their
impact on the meetings industry. It is sponsored by the GCB and has the support of the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC), MCI Deutschland GmbH, Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, the SevenCentres of Germany and visitBerlin as project partners.
n Mega-trends affect all areas of life The study is based on so-called mega-trends, a concept which is of major importance to any academically sound research into future developments. These are transformations which span several decades, impact all spheres of life and are of fundamentally global
MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030 15
What social megatrends do you think will seriously influence and challenge the meetings industry in the medium term? (Online survey question)
Technology
41.6
Globalisation
28,.6
Mobility
26.0
Sustainability
20,8
Demographic Change
18.2
Security
10,.4
32.5
Peak Everything
10,4
40.3
Urbanisation
3.9
22.1
Feminisation
2.6
24.7
Figures in % n=77
very strongly
27.3
7.8
39.0
10.4
37.7
14.3
36,4
20,8
51.9
strongly
10.4
26.0
22.1
36.4
40.3
less strongly
significance. In particular, the study has identified five mega-trends which are set to have a special impact on the meetings industry. The most prominent one is the technicisation of our living and working environments. It is followed by globalisation and increasing internationalisation, mobility, sustainability and demographic change. n Recommendations for action for the meetings industry Until 2030 the meetings industry will be particularly impacted and challenged by ongoing technicisation in a large variety of areas. Examples
not at all
don’t know
not specified
include information and data security, new forms of knowledge transfer, virtual parts of meetings and the networking of virtual spaces, increased delegate participation and man-machine interfaces. These elements must take account of human needs despite increasing advances in technology. Moreover, in a more and more globalised world, there is a steadily growing need for networking and for the relevant resources, a need that concerns all organisations involved in information and knowledge transfer and which is therefore posing a further technical challenge. At the same time, globalisation makes it increasingly necessary for players
in the meetings industry to master several foreign languages and to expand their intercultural skills. Various approaches to mobility will play a central role: With the appearance of multi-modal chains where players of the meetings industry need to find their places as active protagonists, mobility will provide an answer to challenges such as the rising demand for energy in the face of increasingly scarce resources, the desire for greater flexibility and especially the needs of older travellers. Demographic change will therefore impact not only mobility, but also the architecture of convention centres and any services associated with meetings and conventions. These are areas which will have to adapt to the concomitant changes. The study also shows that the issue of sustainability will continue to be of existential relevance and that players of the industry need to bear this in mind to a much greater extent than ever before, e.g. in building and refurbishment projects of meeting venues and in the provision of multimodal transport facilities. n Sustaining Germany’s top ranking As a destination for meetings and conventions, Germany currently ranks at the very top within Europe and comes second only to the United States on a global scale. This is partly due to its outstanding infrastructure, good value for money and a high level of innovative strength among German suppliers who are, for instance, leaders in matters of green meetings and sustainability. The study “Meetings and Conventions 2030” is intended to help secure this innovative strength. It does so by outlining the trends and tendencies of their likely development until
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MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030
2030 and their importance to the meetings industry. Petra Hedorfer, who chairs both the Executive Board of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) and of the Board of Directors of the GCB, is confident about the value of the study on “Meetings and Conventions 2030”: “It gives the German meetings industry a good foundation on which the associations can develop a joint roadmap for this industry.” The framework for this development will be provided by the next “Meeting Experts Conference” (MEXCON) in Berlin from 11 to 13 June 2014. In this way the GCB and its partners are continuing the future study initiative that started at the first MEXCON in June 2012, when the conference centred around the question as to how meetings and conventions in industry, in science
and in technology and innovation would develop until 2030 and what kind of conclusions should be drawn for the German meetings industry. Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the GCB, emphasises that “the future study provides all players of the industry with a basis for deriving their own strategies and for implementing their own specific activities. They are alerted to relevant tendencies at an early stage, so that they can now make adjustments. This puts them in a position to secure and expand Germany’s successful position as a destination for meetings and conventions.” www.germany-meetings.com/ future
Mixture of methods Basis of the future study: n■ Evaluation of literature and documents n■
Brainstorming workshop
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Guided interviews of experts
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Proven methods of academically sound research into future developments: trend analysis, scenario development and roadmapping Interviews with experts in the industry and in the areas of knowledge transfer, technology and architecture Survey of German and international experts under the two-stage Delphi method Online survey of respondents from the meetings industry All-day scenario workshop with selected experts from different disciplines
Formats of Meetings in the Digital Age The digital age is characterised by extremely easy access to knowledge and information through the internet and through networking via social media. This poses entirely new challenges for conferences and similar meetings. Over and above an exchange of information or the impartation of knowledge, meetings in the digital age must offer opportunities for building communities and for genuine collaboration. However, this is only possible with a persuasive meeting experience.
n
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ntil now a conference has always been seen as a “third place” [1] – a neutral venue where it is possible to meet and exchange ideas on a given issue or topic. To some extent, this is still true for meetings today. However, digitisation has changed the requirements and expectations on meetings, so that they need to be more than neutral venues. Delegates are no longer content to listen to up-front lectures or product pitches. Instead, they want to exchange their experiences and potential solutions
with other delegates, so that they can benefit from each other. It is therefore becoming increasingly vital not just to meet casually, but to be purposeful in the formation of networks, so that solutions to specific issues are not just talked about but can be found at an early stage – at the actual conference itself. To meet such challenges and to create physical meetings and interaction between individuals, we will benefit from taking a look at a different concept where the
emphasis is on interaction as such. It is called user experience (UX) – a concept which covers all aspects of user interaction with a product and which is precisely about impacting this interaction. Based on these premises, I would like to introduce another concept, meeting experience, where we focus on meetings between people, on human interaction and on ways of shaping this process. Meeting experience (MX) concerns the way people can meet and interact. A meeting in the digital age should
“The ECTRIMS congress was a great success: the venue and the DüsseldorfCongress team proved a perfect choice and reliable partner in every way.” Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Hartung, President of the Society and ECTRIMS congress president The search for new methods of treating multiple sclerosis requires all the passion you can manage to raise. Just like running a congress. That‘s why the organizers of the international ECTRIMS congress, the most important annual congress on multiple sclerosis, chose DüsseldorfCongress as their partner. The bottom line: 10 learning courses, 3 plenary meetings, 14 meetings held in parallel, 6 meetings on “hot topics”, over 900 presentations, around 5,000 visitors in 5 days. Another step toward healing the disease. How may we accompany you? info@duesseldorfcongress.de | www.duesseldorfcongress.de
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MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030
be marked by a persuasive meeting experience. One could of course argue that it is impossible to shape human interaction. Obviously, we cannot actually control the way people interact. The only area where any impact is possible is the setting where the interaction takes place. If we want to shape the way people meet, we need to understand that people are part of the shaping process. After all, there can be no interaction without them. This is why the concept of meeting experience goes one step further than any well-known userfocused approaches. The central underlying aim is not to produce something for the user, but with the user, so the participants become essential elements in the creative process. So if we want meetings to offer added value in the digital age, what kind of shape should we give to a meeting experience? The majority of delegates are very well informed and have high standards on meetings and their content. In fact, where the level of expertise is concerned, there is no longer any major difference between speakers and delegates. Moreover, knowledge and methodology have
Author: Claudia Brückner claudiabrueckner.de The article was originally published here: newthinking.de/files/2013/05/ newthinking_web.pdf
been changing extremely fast, so that there is no longer much value in presentations of finished products or the mere impartation of knowledge. Rather, delegates expect answers to their own individual issues and projects. This creates a need for a meeting experience that reflects this equal-par relationship we just described, an experience that facilitates an exchange of ideas and ensures that the available expertise can be tapped. To get to this point, open-structure formats need to be developed, giving all stakeholders sufficient leeway to adapt a meeting to suit their specific expectations and needs. One well-known format that has become very widespread recently is a bar camp where both the content and the procedure of the meeting are developed by the delegates themselves, at the beginning. The meeting experience of a bar camp is characterised by openness and flexibility, as the topics are not specified in advance, but by the delegates. This enables them to make ad-hoc use of the available expertise. However, it can only happen if the organisers create a highly flexible environment and use experienced facilitators to support this process. But bar camps are not the only interactive forms of meetings, and a range of other innovative formats are currently emerging. One particularly striking method is that of a book sprint whereby a small group spends up to 5 days working together intensively on the production of a book, without any pre-produced written material and simply guided by a facilitator. Inspired and encouraged by this method, we, too, decided to write the magazine “newthinking” in the form of sprint. However, we adapted the format of a book sprint by limiting the writing process to three days and running it
as an open event. This meant inviting contributions from everyone who had been studying digital culture, internet policies, Open Everything or related topics. The meeting experience of the magazine sprint was collaborative, individualised and flexible. Everyone who took part could contribute to the production process, based on their own interests and expertise. The contributors formed ad-hoc teams to research specific issues, to write articles or to support these with visual material. Knowledge was developed jointly, and experiences were shared. Intensive collaboration meant that contacts were formed and a tangible result was delivered in the form of a product. The example illustrates what it means for a design process to be shaped not just for the users, but with the users. As organisers, we had to accept the challenge and the risk that the magazine was unplannable. Having set up the sprint, we did not know for certain until the first day who would be taking part.Yet we were able to draw on a crucial safety network – the newthinking community which has developed over the last ten years.You will find a glimpse of this community and how it came about in a brief report by Martin Schmidt on page 46 (see PDF). Another factor in the shaping of interaction is the physical environment of a meeting. To make a meeting credible and to facilitate interaction, both the topic and the purpose of the meeting must be physically and tangibly reflected in the environment. One example is the newthinking summit in November 2012, where we did our very best to create an open and inspiring environment, so that the subject of “Open Strategies” could actually be experienced. We placed all the talks and workshops in a large
hall to give sufficient space to the delegates. Instead of stages, we used Y-shaped tables which encouraged dialogue between the delegates and with speakers and which facilitated collaboration between them. The challenges posed by the permanent design of open spaces and collaborative formats has been outlined by Ela Kagel in her article “Space for an Open Culture and Open Source Strategies”. The development of innovative formats that permit interaction and participation is crucial for setting up meaningful meetings in the digital age. To ensure the sustainable development of communities on specific issues within the context of a meeting, it is, however, important to create not only a physical environment, but also a suitable digital environment. To make the most of this potential, digital tools and platforms must be provided, enabling delegates to start networking and to prepare topics even before the meeting, while also helping them in their collaborate use of results after the meeting. This potential is a crucial quality factor, as the thematic focus of a meeting is developed not just by a small group of board members, but also by the future delegates. Moreover, it reduces the risk for the organisers, as it gives them feedback on the appeal and up-to-date character of a planned meeting as well as a clearer idea of the proceeds and expenses that are involved. However, the expansion of the physical space of a meeting to include a digital environment is something that concerns not only the time before and after a meeting but also, in parallel, the time during the meeting, so that anyone who is interested can be involved even if they are unable to attend in person. This means that meeting managers increasingly turn into community
managers. They are given a chance to build a sustainable community and, at the same time, to develop a suitable business model – not just on a given issue but also through their own specific approaches and through the experience they create in this way. Another example of the way digital interaction can lead to business models can be found in the interview with Dirk von Gehlen (see PDF). The options outlined here make it possible to turn meetings from so-called “third places” into genuine “third spaces” [2] – environments which are neither purely physical nor exclusively digital but which do indeed merge into a third space. In summary, what are the features of an outstanding meeting experience in the digital age? The answer is that there needs to be the right mix of an innovative, interactive meeting format, an appropriate implementation of the meeting in a physical environment and a merger of its physical and digital environments. Blog on innovative meeting models and interactive formats www.meeting-experience.com http://newthinking.de/fi les/ 2013/05/newthinking_web.pdf
room
Dreams. Goals. The future. Ideas and innovations. Visions need to be communicated. They need to be convincing.
for visions KölnKongress offers you the know-how and services that produce success.
[1] Oldenburg, Ray (1999): The Great Good Place: Cafés, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of the Community, New York: Paragon House [2] Pine, B. Joseph, and Korn, Kim C. (2011): Infinite Possibility: Creating Customer Value on the Digital Frontier. San Francisco: BerretKoehler Publishers.
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KölnKongress | fon +49 2 21 . 8 21 - 21 21 | www.koelnkongress.de
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MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030
Germany as a MICE Destination for Generation Y
The Baby Boomers, born between 1943 and 1960. The oldest of these have begun retiring from employment. ■■ Generation X, born between 1961 and 1976. Many of these are already established in management positions. ■■ Generation Y, born between 1977 and 1995. These form the latest cohort to enter the global workforce. As more and more Baby Boomers are leaving the workforce to enter retirement, they are being replaced by members of Generation Y. By 2025, approximately 75% of the world’s workforce will be Generation Y. By that time, we will be living in a world in which political, cultural and business life will be fully determined by the values, tastes and preferences of this generation. What do we know already about the characteristics of Generation Y? And how does this affect their preferences in terms of the destinations that they enjoy visiting for their MICE events? There is widespread agreement that members of Generation Y have high expectations of themselves and are extremely ambitious and impatient to succeed, as well as being full of energy and innovative drive. They have, above all, high expectations that life should be fun and therefore place higher priority on their personal life and leisure time, than previous generations did. Generation Y’s acquaintance with technology in all of its forms, from an early age, makes it different from previous generations. This is the first demographic group to grow up with the internet, and they view the Web as a 2-way communications tool. Their high level of technological skills and their preference for instant communication and social networking tools have made Generation Y into efficient multi-taskers. One consequence of this, is that this generation likes to see technology used in MICE events – and used well, to improve the quality of the event experience. Another key characteristic of Generation Y is their attitude towards social, ethical and environmental issues. Fairness, justice, tolerance and equality are concepts that this generation value more highly than previous generations. They also have a high awareness of the fragility of the natural environment and therefore the importance of protecting and conserving it. Indeed, much of the impetus towards ‘greener’ meetings and incentive trips is being driven by this youngest generation of ■■
A
ll businesses must adapt their products to meet the changing needs of their customers, and the MICE industry is no exception. We must constantly evolve in order to ensure that we can effectively meet the needs and aspirations of each new generation of participants. One of the key factors currently influencing the shape and size of the global MICE industry is demographic change and MICE industry professionals need to understand exactly how generational trends are having an impact on our industry. This article evaluates the extent to which Germany represents an attractive destination for the fastest-growing demographic group: Generation Y. Today, for the first time in history, there are four generations in the global professional and managerial workforce : ■■ The Traditionalists, born between 1925 and 1942. Most, but not all of these, have retired or entered semiretirement.
MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030 21
participants, who are far less tolerant of the negative impacts of such events on the natural environment. These characteristics mean that the needs and expectations of Generation Y regarding participation in MICE events, are in many ways very different from those of previous generations. From their point of view, what is their perception of Germany as a destination for MICE events? Three factors may be taken into account: To begin with, Germany’s well-known economic power is a major characteristic in its favour. Generation Y are ambitious and they value success, so this gives Germany a natural advantage as a place widely recognised for its high levels of expertise and performance in various sectors of industry and commerce. Generation Y participants understand that by visiting Germany for a MICE
event, there is a high probability that they will learn something useful to themselves, something that may help them to perform better, faster and smarter in their own profession. Companies, organisations and associations know that their image and the image of their MICE events benefit from being closely associated with factors such as economic success, innovation and progressive thinking, and these are all strong elements of the international image of Germany and German brands. Secondly, another aspect of German life which will appeal to Generation Y meetings planners and participants is the country’s high level of concern for the natural environment. Recent research shows that over a quarter of Germany’s conference hotels, congress centres and event venues have already put in place a management system to ensure
that their business is run sustainably. 25.6 % have had the level of sustainability in their business audited by an independent third party, for example as part of Green Globe (GGC), ECOPROFIT or ISO 14001 certification. In a recent survey by the Federal Environmental Agency, almost half of those surveyed said that they were aware of the concept of sustainable development in Germany, something that will directly affect the level of demand for MICE events in that country as its reputation for ‘green’ practices grows, among Generation Y meetings planners and participants. Thirdly, Germany’s growing supply of interesting and imaginative MICE venues and hotels will have a direct appeal to younger MICE event planners and participants. We know that they are very attracted to holding their events in buildings that have an
Key to markets
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Intriguing topics, an exciting atmosphere and immediate feedback in relaxed surroundings are exactly what's needed to achieve impressive results. The modern light-filled ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart is located in one of the most innovative regions of Europe that is home to global players such as Bosch, Daimler, IBM, Kärcher, Porsche, SAP and Stihl. Business contacts are made right here – in the key to markets. The ICS, which boasts an ideal infrastructure, variable room and hall sizes, and a dedicated team of personnel, helps ensure that your presentation is every bit as successful as you imagined. We're here for you: www.key-to-markets.com Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH Division Guest Events Messepiazza 1 70629 Stuttgart (Germany) Telefon: +49 711 18560-2830 E-Mail: veranstalter@messe-stuttgart.de
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MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS 2030 / NEWS – GCB
Author: Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management, University of Greenwich, London.
unconventional and unusual design, inside and outside. And Germany has an abundant and growing supply of iconic and imaginativelydesigned meetings venues. From Berlin’s AXICA conference and convention centre and the Babelsberg
Filmpark in Potsdam to BMW World in Munich and Cologne’s Deutsche Sport & Olympiamuseum. Such places are venues that hold considerable appeal for a new generation that is intolerant of bland, impersonal meetings facilities and drawn to ‘funky’ places in which to meet. The conclusion must be that the future of Germany’s MICE industry and its ability to maintain its position as Europe’s number one meeting destination depend on that country continuing to appeal to the youngest generation of MICE event planners and participants. Germany must continue to ensure that its MICE products and MICE marketing strategies are attractive to this demographic group that represents our industry’s most important present and future clients.
GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. appoints sustainability advisor The GCB’s internal sustainability programme is set to complement its comprehensive range of “Green Meetings” activities for the meetings and conferencing industry. Christine Koch has been appointed Sustainability Advisor for the German Convention Bureau (GCB). A longstanding employee of the GCB, Christine has been actively involved with its sustainability initiatives for many years, including the seminar programme for sustainability advisors offered by the GCB in partnership with the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). As well as proposing that these seminars be established, Christine also developed the content.
Johannes H
She helped develop and implement the Sustainability Code for the meetings sector across German-speaking countries, worked on the GCB’s Green Globe certification and ensured that Germany’s stand at IMEX 2013 was operated sustainably. In her new role, Christine’s primary responsibility
NEWS – GCB 23
will be to strengthen further the marketing organisation’s commitment to all aspects of sustainability economic, ecological and social. Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the GCB commented: “I am delighted that Christine Koch is taking on this new position as the GCB’s Sustainability Advisor. The creation of this role once again underlines the importance of the sustainability agenda to the GCB and our commitment to all three pillars of sustainability: economic, ecological and social.” n Wide-ranging action on sustainability The GCB is pushing ahead with its pioneering work in the field of sustainability. As well as driving a wide range of initiatives within the
German meeting and events sector, the industry’s marketing organisation is also examining its own internal processes: from the use of intelligent, sustainable travel solutions, to separating waste and the procurement of stationery. Thanks to these initiatives, the GCB as an organisation has been Green Globe certified since 2012. The biennial “greenmeetings and events” conference, organised jointly by the GCB and the EVVC - European Association of Event Centres - since 2011, has also become an important catalyst for change in the sector. The next greenmeetings and events conference will be held from 9th - 10th February 2015 in the new Kap Europa congress centre at the Messe Frankfurt.
Leipzig – here the future knows no bounds. As the first public school in Germany, St. Thomas School was, from the very beginning, a pioneering Leipzig innovation. And today more than ever, this progressive public spirit attracts people from all over the world to Leipzig. The Porsche Customer Centre, for instance, offers an exclusive venue for conventions and conferences – together with fasttrack fringe events. Whether conference, large-scale event or corporate function – Leipzig has it all: first-class congress and convention centres, exceptional event venues and excellent hotels as well as the appropriate service partners, such as agencies, PCO’s and mobility partners. Want to find out more? Plan your event in Leipzig online: www.do-it-at-leipzig.de.
Hildebrandt (member of St. Thomas Boys Choir) Porsche Customer Centre Photo: Jörg Lange
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH Augustusplatz 9, 04109 Leipzig, Germany Telephone: +49 341 7104-240, e-mail: kongress@ltm-leipzig.de
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NEWS – GCB
Dialogue between the Meetings Industry and Politicians – Meeting Experts Conference 2014 (MEXCON) After 2012 this is the second time that the Meeting Experts Conference (MEXCON) in Berlin will be hosted by the GCB German Convention Bureau and the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) together with other joint-venture partners.
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unctioning as an industry summit, MEXCON will open its gates at the Maritim Hotel Berlin from 11 to 13 June 2014. The programme will comprise a number of different sessions, members’ meetings and AGMs of the associations that are involved as well as interactive forums, a panel discussion and evening meetings – a Gala and a Colleagues’ Evening. Approx. 700 delegates are expected – specialists and executives from associations and companies in the meetings industry, meeting planners, political decision-makers and representatives of industry and customers’ associations. As before, they will be demonstrating to the public how important the German meetings industry is for both business and research. The extent to which this goal had already been achieved at the first MEXCON in 2012 was reflected in the decision
of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology when it declared its patronage for MEXCON 2014. n Roadmap for the future
Based on the study “Meetings and Conventions 2030”, which was commissioned by the GCB together with its partners, delegates at MEXCON 2014 will look above all at the future of the meetings industry. The focus will be on trends and visions for meeting formats, on changing values and on customers’ needs as well as on related issues such as political support and the significance of the industry to the wider economy. Based on the new study, the various associations involved in MEXCON will develop a joint roadmap for the future.
“Meeting Experts Awards” – Categories n■
Venue
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Speakers and presenters
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Convention and conference hotel
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Event agency, professional convention organiser (PCO) & Convention Bureau Special category: meeting planners and buyers
Initiators, partners and sponsors of MEXCON 2014 n■
German Convention Bureau (GCB)
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Association of German Stadium Operators
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European Association of Event Centres (EVVC)
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Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin
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MARITIM Hotel Berlin
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Olympic Stadium, Berlin
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CityCube Berlin
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Co-organizer: German chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) German Committee of the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA)
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German Travel Management Association (VDR)
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Association of German Meeting Organisers
n Industry celebrates Meeting Experts’ Awards The first day of MEXCON will conclude with a Gala and, as its climax, the very first presentation of the Meeting Experts’ Awards in five categories (see box). Their purpose will be to honour general success as well as special innovations in the
NEWS – GCB 25
meetings industry. The Gala will be held at the CityCube Berlin, the new multi-functional convention and exhibition hall at the Berlin Exhibition Centre, due to be completed in early 2014. On the second MEXCON evening the organisers are inviting delegates to a Colleagues’ Evening
which will include a viewing of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It will be a relaxed setting, giving MEXCON delegates opportunities for pleasant chats with their colleagues. Registrations for MEXCON will be accepted at www.mexcon.de from early 2014 onwards.
Customer Advisory Board Meeting of the GCB has given positive feedback on both content and form n GCB members conduct intensive dialogue with high-level European meeting planners
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n 8 and 9 September 2013 members of the German Convention Bureau (GCB) convened with international meeting planners for a Customer Advisory Board Meeting at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Munich. 26 representatives of hotels, hotel chains, convention organisers and destination marketing agencies (PCOs / DMCs) as well as City Convention Bureaus followed the GCB’s invitation to come to this event. They exchanged ideas with planners from EDANA, BI Worldwide, the European Association of Public Banks, GI Travel, HelmsBriscoe, Kenes, Leo Burnett MICE and Trinity Event Solutions. “The Customer Advisory Board Meeting gives our members an excellent opportunity for intensive dialogue and for networking with high-calibre meeting planners,” says GCB Managing Director Matthias Schultze. “They will certainly benefit in their business, particularly through customers from international markets, as they can purposefully meet their needs, based on the experiences gained at the meeting,” Schultze continues.
n GCB praised for innovative
approach to meetings When organising the Customer Advisory Board Meeting, the GCB used innovative methods of conveying knowledge and discussing topics. Matthias Schultze explains the reasons: “The study ‘Meetings and Conventions 2030’, which was commissioned by the GCB, was only published a few days ago. It shows that the mega-trend of increasing technicisation – a trend which is so important for our industry – is giving rise to a demand for new knowledge transfer, virtual parts of meetings and greater participation.” One example was the Knowledge Café – a deliberately casual meeting where delegates met in small groups, in changing constellations, to discuss issues associated with sustainability. Instead of “death by PowerPoint”, delegates experienced changing scenarios, including groups led by facilitators, group votes, joint specifications of topics and an interactive keynote talk given by Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management at the Business School,
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NEWS – GCB / GERMANY
University of Greenwich, London. The participating GCB members were very upbeat about the meeting. Edgar Hirt, head of the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH), says: “CAB 2013 in Munich was a well organised platform for all parties involved. It was a good opportunity for an exchange of experience, while also enabling us to do more justice to our customers’ expectations, both now and in the future.” Stefanie Hefermehl, Sales Manager of Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH, particularly underlined the innovative format: “This method of obtaining and conveying information is far more sustainable than the traditional form of presentations. The advisers gave positive feedback on this point, in particular, e.g. Marianne van Dijk, Project Manager from GI Travel in the Netherlands. “There were opportunities to make contact, and it was an innovative way to meet and introduce ourselves. The icebreakers
were great, too!” The approach was also praised by Gianni Giovine, General Manager of Leo Burnett MICE in Italy: “The Customer Advisory Board Meeting enables us to make contact quickly and facilitates an exchange of experience, requirements and views between the various players in the MICE business. Spending time together round a table and talking and engaging in role plays, rather than sitting in a conference room, ensures everybody’s full attention and increases the volume and value of the exchanged ideas by a multiple.” n Action recommended to German
service providers At the three workshops on the focal areas of Germany as a destination for meetings, sustainability and innovation, the advisers gave GCB members some insights into their decision-making process in
opting for a meeting venue. They mentioned value for money, the infrastructure and ease of access as the most important criteria. Where sustainability is concerned, the European meeting planners firmly believe that this is not just a matter of regulations but that it needs to be practised and demonstrated in real life. Service providers ought to communicate their sustainability strategies very clearly, especially in matters of corporate social responsibility (CSR). At the “Innovations” workshop GCB members and advisers discussed the increase in micro and macromeetings and the tension between mobility and sustainability. One conclusion was that the current trend towards visualisation should be picked up and implemented by German service providers in their own activities.
Industry dates – Places where you can find us EIBTM, The Global Meetings & Events Exhibition
19–21 November 2013, 18–20 November 2014, Barcelona, Spain
www.eibtm.com
IMEX in Frankfurt
20–22 May 2014
www.imex-frankfurt.com
Meeting Experts Conference 2014 (MEXCON)
11–13 June 2014, MARITIM Hotel Berlin
www.mexcon.de
IMEX America
14–16 October 2014, Las Vegas
www.imexamerica.com
greenmeetings and events - Conference
9–10 February 2015, Kap Europa, Frankfurt
www.greenmeetings-und-events.de
Christmas markets in Germany: a feast for all five senses Deliciously aromatic, brightly festive, with culinary delights and the sound of Christmas carols – this is how you’ll experience Germany’s Christmas markets with all five senses.
Many would say that a leisurely walk around a Christmas market is a must in December. A Christmas market is full of beautifully decorated stalls with traders offering art and craft items, Christmas biscuits, mulled wine and regional specialities, accompanied by the festive sound of choral music and brass bands. Germany’s Christmas markets are
lovely places to experience great customs and traditions within a wonderful historic ambience – from the coast to the Alps. Two of the best-known markets are the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg and the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden, which opens on 28 November, is said to be the oldest of its kind in
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M Hotels · International Sales Office Kuelpstrasse 2 · 64293 Darmstadt · Germany Phone +49 (0) 6151 905-710 · info.vki@maritim.com · www.maritim.com M Hotelgesellschaft mbH · Herforder Strasse 2 · 32105 Bad Salzuflen · Germany
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Germany and has existed since at least 1434. The climax of this market is the Stollen Festival where a giant Stollen is taken in a carriage from the Zwinger Palace to the Striezelmarkt. The name is derived from the precursor of today’s famous German Christmas cake – Stollen, also known as Christstollen. During the Middle Ages strands of bread dough – originally just flour and yeast – were plaited into decorative loaves, but these were later
refined by adding butter and other ingredients until they eventually turned into today’s Stollen. According to the German National Tourist Board, the best-known Christmas market – also famous outside Germany – is the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, open from 29 November. It is full of wooden huts which add up to an entire “little town made of wood and cloth”, selling traditional and often handcrafted Christmas decorations and sweet treats such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Spekulatius (thin almond biscuits). Other attractions are the Kinderweihnacht (a special Christmas section for children), the Sternenhaus (house of stars), the twin cities’ market and the Lichterzug (a procession of local children, bearing lanterns). The choice of Christmas markets is so amazing that it can be quite difficult to decide on a destination. After all, Dresden and Nuremberg are not the only places offering a wonderfully festive Christmas ambience. A list of Christmas markets in Germany can be found on the website of the German National Tourist Board. www.germany.travel/en/specials/christmas/ christmas.html
Inspired by People, Imagined by Marriott – Next Generation Meeting Spaces Launched at the Munich Marriott Hotel
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arriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International, is “re-imagining” traditional meeting spaces to meet a growing demand for more inspiring and creative work environments. Marriott Hotels is re-thinking everything from boardrooms, breakouts and pre-function spaces, taking a holistic approach to meetings and seamlessly integrating service, technology and contemporary design. The Munich Marriott Hotel is among the first hotels in Europe to offer the “peopleinspired” meeting spaces. Research conducted by Marriott and the publishers of WIRED shows that people are working differently than in previous generations. The trend has shifted from individual workspaces to an ecosystem of places that gives workers choice and control over where and how to work, in and out of the office. “The way people work is changing but the way meetings are hosted at hotels has not kept pace,” said Paul Cahill, Senior Vice president, Brand Management,
Marriott Hotels. ”Inspired by the way Gen X and Gen Y meet and work, we are introducing spaces that promote collaborative work environments for more productive and meaningful outcomes. The new innovative meeting spaces at the Munich Marriott Hotel harness the new generational dynamic and will revolutionise the way meetings are conducted in hotels.” The new meeting studios will be flexible work spaces that meet the objectives of the meeting and its participants rather than dictate by room lay-out or furniture. From networking events to business meetings and interactive classes, technology and design will blend seamlessly to help facilitate all manner of meeting and purpose. The spaces will feature wireless connection technology and include items such as video conferencing, smart whiteboards or whiteboard walls, projection walls and docking stations. Insight taken from the brand’s innovations around lobby design has been applied to the new pre-function
area design. Just as hotel lobbies have become fluid places to work, meet and socialise, the pre-function spaces will offer flexible seating arrangements to accommodate individuals and
groups, work and gathering. The new meeting studios were completed in Munich in September. For more information and to book meeting studios at the Munich
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Marriott Hotel contact Munich.salesoffice@marriott.com. www.marriott-munich.com www.future-of-meetings.de www.TravelBrilliantly.com
Meetings at Maritim Hotels
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hen it comes to the professional organisation of mega-events, congresses and conferences, Maritim is regarded as one of the world’s top hotel groups for customers in politics, industry and business. In 1969, the Seehotel am Timmendorfer Strand laid the cornerstone of Maritim‘s success when it came up with an unusual business idea. „Daytime business and overnight accommodation under one roof“ was the name of this concept - unique at the time - which soon met with a great deal of interest among companies and associations at other locations too. Maritim‘s declared strength lies mainly in its excellent conference-organising skills. It is not by chance that the company has become the largest private specialist in conferences and events in Germany. No other service provider has such capacity, in terms of both space and organisation, to hold complex major events. It is in North Rhine-Westphalia in particular that Maritim has extended its portfolio in the very successful
airport and city hotel sector in recent years. The company‘s target locations in the vicinity of airports and main railway stations play an important role. Easy accessibility has turned out to be an attractive advantage, highly prized by business travellers in particular.
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Maritim has also long been committed to environmental protection and has already received several awards in this area. Our highly qualified technical managers provide all Maritim Hotel employees with regular training on any matters relating to environmental protection. As Germany’s only hotel company has therefore trained a sustainability consultant at each hotel. The training course, delivered by the German Convention Bureau e.V. in conjunction with the DBU (Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt, or German federal environmental foundation) and followed by Maritim sustainability consultants, is entitled “Fit for Green Meetings“. As part of the premium partnership with the German Convention Bureau, Maritim has signed the sustainability code of the German event industry. This declaration of support
demonstrates the acknowledgment of the 10 guidelines as a quality standard as well as the will to document progress continuously. www.maritim.com German train stations offer 30 minutes free Wi-Fi per day
Train travel in Germany now has a bonus: limited free Wi-Fi at 105 train stations.
Train stations with Wi-Fi — or in German “WLAN” — are offering daily free access to the Internet for 30 minutes, the German railway, Deutsche Bahn, announced. Those who want to surf longer than 30 minutes need to sign up for HotSpot access through Deutsche Telekom: The website is in German. To access the free Wi-Fi at participating train stations, choose “Telekom” and click “Verbinden” — Connect. Launch your browser and enter a web address. The hotspot portal will appear and ask for your cellphone (“Handy”) number.You’ll then be sent an SMS with an access code (“Zugangscode”), according to the German train system website: bahn.de/wlan. Enter the code in the Hotspot portal and surf away. www.bahn.de
Lufthansa Meetings & Events: an even greater choice of flight options through the inclusion of our partners!
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ompanies and meeting organisers will be pleased: The Lufthansa MICE product portfolio for meetings, incentives, conventions and other events is now offering even more opportunities to take delegates cost effectively to their venues. Delegates wanting to book individual trips now benefit from an even greater number of flight options through Lufthansa Meetings & Events, thanks to the integration of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and SWISS as well as the two transatlantic joint venture partners Air Canada and United Airlines. Work is currently in progress on the integration of Germanwings, so that those flights, too, will soon be available for bookings. Benefits of Lufthansa Meetings & Events at a glance: ■■ Flexible planning of trips Arrivals and departures up to 7 days before and after a meeting ■■ Exclusive features to suit your preferences Freely selectable service class incl. Miles & More points and lounge access (may vary, depending on class and airline booked).
Attractive prices Especially good rates with best-buy guarantee and globally valid terms ■■ Fast availability Book immediately upon signing the contract You can find further details on the internet, at lufthansa. com/MICE where you can also send your online enquiries. www.lufthansa.com/MICE ■■
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Meet in Stuttgart: The Birthplace of Innovation – Driver for our sustainable future The Stuttgart Convention Bureau is your reliable partner regarding all aspects of planning your successful event in Stuttgart, gateway to the Black Forest in Southwest Germany. Benefit from our services and local expert network in Germany’s most sustainable metropolis. For more information visit www.congress-stuttgart.de or write us an e-mail: info@congress-stuttgart.de
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THE NEW LOCATION FOR YOUR EVENT IN FRANKFURT. www.kapeuropa.de
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