Their customers are companies that love the special (the Grand Hall on the UNESCO World Heritage Site) on the one hand and comfort (all event-related services as part of a full-service model) on the other.

Sometimes it happens that companies and corporations planning a congress, a workshop or a celebration hire event agencies. Then the agency is also the first point of contact for the Grand Hall team. That's why "communicating in the shortest possible way" is one of the central tasks of the state-certified business administrator for the hotel and catering industry. "A lot of things are done by e-mail, but it's often easier to make a quick phone call or sit down together for more complex coordination." Just once? "Yes, it's faster and a lot more personal, especially, of course, if you already know each other from previous projects and the division of tasks is clear."

Permanent partners - from catering to technology

Just as often the case: The customer wants the organization of his event to be handled completely by the Grand Hall. Then Mareike Kuntke addresses the fixed partners from technology, catering, furnishings and equipment: "We've been working closely together since the old industrial hall was converted into the Grand Hall." So: if it goes hand in hand, despite a lot of work a lot of fun, then it must be a one stop event location.

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

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.

Regardless of the season, it is the industrial charm of incorporating the outdoor area that is particularly convincing. Workshops, meetings or events can be held indoors - while the company's own fair or a small winter market awaits guests outside.

In addition, many companies appreciate Zollverein's general cultural offerings. "If you invite your customers and partners and start with a guided tour through the Ruhr Museum or over the slagheaps, you offer real added value," knows Gerald Pott, Managing Director of the Grand Hall. At the same time, he says, his team implements the sustainable strategy of the one-stop location in cooperation with all partners and suppliers. "So that the event is not only well-rounded, but also as resource-friendly as possible."