The native of Paderborn, for friends and colleagues simply "Kölle", comes to over 30 years of professional experience in the event industry. Among other things, as a stage builder, stage manager, fire protection officer and safety expert.

Working on the weekend? Perfectly fine.

He feels at home in the Grand Hall because here he can demonstrate all his skills in one place. This starts with initial discussions with corporate customers when it comes to space planning and extends to the implementation of sustainability measures. He is often on duty at weekends as well. Perfectly okay for the 57-year-old. "That way I also have time off during the week," says the father of three, who in his private life makes music with his band Pottgod (recently named "the best band in the West" by WDR2) or works in the allotment garden. "An office job, Monday to Friday, Nine to Five, no, that wouldn't be for me." Sitting at a desk for long periods of time is not something you'll find him doing anyway.

Successful search

If you want to talk to him, it's best to look first in the hall, on the grounds or in the adjacent switch house - where he is monitoring preparations for the next event or even the modernization work that is currently underway. Which brings us back to the light bulb. Of course, the all-rounder has found the right LEDs - at a company in Rhineland-Palatinate. The light sources fit in wonderfully - and also save 75% energy.

Namely the one that stands in the foyer of our administration. Sven Robusch and Tom Koperek, the current managing directors of the Grand Hall and Blue Wheels, saved the historic spotlight. When they were on the road together as lighting technicians with various touring productions through Germany in the 1980-ies, they discovered the old treasure that was about to be scrapped.

Who knows about historic theater lighting?

"Since the founding of our company, it has stood in changing locations as a lucky charm in the foyer," says Tom Koperek, "and indeed it has not left us now for almost 30 years, the luck." By the way, in this context, we would really appreciate if someone has a hint for us from which year the spotlight could originally come from... We'll just take a guess: 30s?

 "We want to make the Grand Hall as energy-efficient as possible," Koperek says. For the measures, which will take several weeks, he has brought in the technology service provider Blue Wheels. Among other things, it will switch completely to LED lights. "A lot has happened in this area recently," adds Florian Kohn, managing director at Blue Wheels. "Atmosphere can now also be created excellently with LED." Not only on the stage, but also throughout the entire hall. For example, with special lighting effects that can be dimmed to any level or create colored waves.

Kilometers of cable for the best sound

But things really get complicated in the Grand Hall when a total of 15 kilometers of cable are laid for the new loudspeakers. Along the hall ceiling at a height of 8 meters. "We are installing the 40 speakers of various sizes in a decentralized manner," explains Kohn. "This will allow us to further improve speech intelligibility, for example for conferences and congresses." The technology specialists are guided by a complicated concept based on an acoustic simulation: To achieve the optimum sound, the team tried out every possible constellation beforehand.

Charging columns in front of the Grand Hall

The first big company event after the vacations is scheduled for mid-August, and everything has to be ready by then. "We're working flat out," says Tom Koperek, who is pleased that the modernization will save up to 75% in energy costs. "For our customers, that means being able to hold events even more sustainably and economically - without sacrificing quality." And then to really round things off, Koperek is also providing an e-charging infrastructure. As of soon, 10 fast-charging columns will be available in front of the Grand Hall.

Margareta Ferreira has already brought her composure with her; after training as a hotel manager, she completed a teaching degree. Only to return to the hospitality industry. Today, she is mainly involved in "planning, organizing and communicating to all sides" at the Grand Hall. "I deal closely with customers and suppliers, I can't imagine a more diverse job." She regularly sits down with the Grand Hall's partner companies - including technicians, stage builders, room designers and caterers.

Everyone is present at the trade meetings

At such "trade meetings," projects are discussed and ideas are fleshed out. "It is important that decision-makers in companies are also on site with us. They want and need to get a picture of how we work and what is possible in the Grand Hall." Often, customers have a vague idea about their event, "but that's about it." The sales team then provides support, presents setups, suggests presenters and live acts, creates mood boards for furniture and decor, and reports on their experiences.

In these situations, the event manager is in her element, just like during the event itself. With one difference: "If everything is well planned, an event runs all by itself," says Ferreira. And if it doesn't? She reflects briefly, "Then we probably did something wrong." She can't recall such a case. "Sure, there are questions in between, but we quickly find a solution together."

A long tradition: The trade magazine Lebensmittel Praxis (LPV) has been presenting the award for three decades. The last three years of these always in the Grand Hall. "We feel very comfortable here," explains Marc Linnig. The project manager of LPV, based in Neuwied, is responsible for organizing trade fairs and events. He does not spare praise for the Grand Hall location, its team and suppliers. "For us, it's like coming home. The girls and guys who have this in hand are just great."

High voltage at the end of the day

Around 450 guests joined in the excitement in the Grand Hall, while the expert jury of trade representatives retreated to the adjacent historic Schalthaus. When the winners (in addition to Duisburg, one Rewe store each in Munich and Berlin and another Edeka store in Brannenburg) were announced in the evening at the climax of an entire day of events, there was no holding back. In an exuberant mood, people congratulated, celebrated, hugged and ate - culinary highlights prepared by star chef Sascha Stemberg, among others.

Copyright Photo: Lebensmittel Praxis, Peter Eilers/IngoHilger

The first choice or an alternative?

Then the implementation often starts with the chairs, says Sascha Tebrügge from Party Rent. The selection of the event outfitter with headquarters in Bocholt is huge, but that only helps if you are quick. Means, who wants a certain style, should secure 'his' furniture best immediately. "We've been the partner company for Grand Hall there for years," Tebrügge explains the process. "The customer discusses what they have in mind at the Grand Hall on site, or the team there makes suggestions directly based on their experience."

If the concept stands, the whole goes in the best case immediately as an order to Party Rent. After all, that's the way it is: It is not uncommon for event organizers to need several hundred pieces of seating furniture, along with matching tables and buffets. And these can't be reserved for a long time just to maybe decide otherwise after all. "What's gone is gone," says the equipment specialist. Of course, there are always alternatives, but then it's just not the first choice anymore. "We have to plan ahead of time beyond the selection of the material," Tebrügge says. "There are logistical components involved, and the personnel for assembly and transport should be available, after all."

Cardboard boxes as part of the game

Five to six months is the ideal lead time. That's the view of Gary Pott, general manager of the Grand Hall: "All the trades involved in an event should be involved early on. Even catering and engineering." On one occasion, he recounts, there were no chairs at all at an event in the Grand Hall. That, however, was actually by design. "Everyone sat on a cardboard box that also had to be taken to other stations at Zollverein - that was part of a game and went down really well with the guests."

With the glittering evening event in the Grand Hall, the Germany Travel Mart (GTM), the most important networking event of the German travel industry, is officially opened by Essen's Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen. This is followed by live entertainment of which the Ruhr region is justly proud: URBANATIX with their street art acrobatics, dizzying acrobatics by the GOP Varieté and an excerpt from the "Dance Homage to Queen" by the Aalto Music Theater.

"Guests completely surprised"

The Managing Director of Essen Marketing GmbH, Richard Röhrhoff, is enthusiastic: "We have managed to completely surprise the guests." The extraordinary mix of entertainment, information, show and, of course, good food certainly contributed to this. But above all, the atmospheric ambience in the Grand Hall, which invites people to celebrate and network. "We are dealing with an absolute first-class location here," says Röhrhoff. "The Grand Hall team has implemented everything for us to the letter."

"Great events need the right setting," also says Gary Pott, Managing Director of the Grand Hall ZOLLVEREIN. That's the reason why he always invites interested corporate decision-makers to a personal meeting in the north of Essen first. "Some things you just have to see for yourself."

The fine art of a successful event: experiencing an inspiring place.

For him and his team, it's always great to see how excited and amazed visitors are from the moment they enter the Grand Hall. The fascination that emanates from the historic compressor hall, which was converted in 2017, has already captivated some big company names. These include corporate groups such as HAGEDORN and Valora, the Customer Service Association of Germany (KVD) or vgbe energy, the publishing house of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.) or the Lebensmittel Praxis Verlag (LPV). And perhaps because the first impression is a lasting one, many companies come back when the next event is due. Some of them three or four times.

Photo Copyright: HAGEDORN Group of Companies

Listening to find out what the real purpose of an event should be. Sounds sober? It isn't! After all, there are countless reasons why companies invite people to events. For example, a company anniversary is to be celebrated with the entire staff, customers and partners, an information event is to be given the right setting or a congress is to end with stylish evening entertainment.

Simply greet guests in a good mood

"As event technicians, we have two main target groups in mind," Kohn explains. "The hosts and the guests." On the day of the event at the latest, hosts should be able to relax and guests should feel comfortable. "After all, board members or managing directors have a completely different job site than running the event; they simply want to greet their guests in a good mood." Florian Kohn has up to 40 employees on the job. Depending on the size of the event and the effort involved, he can also bring in freelancers. With his crew, he covers everything: logistics, lighting, stage construction, and sound and video technology. What happens in the background, what strings are pulled, remains invisible to the outside. This is also the reason for the name of his company. Blue Wheels is the name of the blue wheels that are mounted under most flight cases. Anyone who has ever worked at an event or trade show will know them. They run as smoothly as they do quietly and leave no traces.

The visitor was presented with an outstanding picture: exclusive kitchen setups, skilfully interrupted again and again by tasteful retreats such as sofa landscapes, blended charmingly into the industrial backdrop of the hall. At the same time, the association incorporated the club and foyer on the lower level. GfM partners, including Neff, Siemens and Miele, showed the latest in fixtures and technical appliances, framed by massive concrete piles.

"We couldn't have picked a better place for," Ottenbacher expresses his enthusiasm. "We have so many opportunities to exhibit, make contacts and give presentations here." In addition, the Grand Hall with its great service lends itself to celebrating a party including a large buffet after the trade fair days. And then later to spend the night at the Hotel Friends on the grounds of Zollverein. "We have never before booked the same location twice in a row for our trade fair," says Ottenbacher. That's changing now: The reservation for the next GfM Trends has long been fixed - naturally and not hard to guess: 2024 in the Grand Hall.