Planners from across Europe experience Future Hamburg

Event planners from the UK, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain & Israel experienced ‘Future Hamburg’ as part of an Educational Trip hosted by the Hamburg Convention Bureau. The group of 14 event professionals visited the city from 6-8 October 2019. The group were welcomed to Hamburg‘s new “VR Headquarters” by CEO Nicolas Chibac. A true blend of old and new, this co-working space for budding VR start-ups is located in the historic (and UNESCO listed) warehouse district. The City of Hamburg has invested a total of €300,000 in a development programme to establish the Hanseatic city internationally as a VR centre. VR is the centrepiece of the showroom for the forthcoming Congress Center Hamburg (CCH). Planners could use the technology to preview what will be one of the largest conference centres in Europe when it reopens in 2020 with a 12,000sqm exhibition area and 12,000 seats in up to 50 halls. The old and new collided on an evening trip to a concert at the city’s iconic Elbphilharmonie concert hall. It’s here that innovative acoustics are housed within a showstopper building – shaped to resemble a rolling wave – built on a former cocoa warehouse along the River Elbe. As befitting a city with a proud maritime heritage, the planners took to the water, enjoying a boat trip along the River Elbe and its busy working harbour. They also tried their hand at sailing along the picturesque Lake Alster. The three day trip reflected the wide range of options for planners as well as the city’s dynamic approach. Elena Alexandrová from AIM Group International commented: “I discovered a very modern city with an innovative approach to hosting events. Hamburg’s focus on the future will be particularly appreciated by my clients, especially new technology associations.”