Adlershof is a mecca for conferences and networking events
Always something going on in the science city
Adlershof is the venue for conferences, meetings, road shows and many other events that attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. Just counting last year, Adlershof’s event service was responsible for organising 320 events. Hundreds more take place here every year, making the Science City Adlershof a major player among Germany’s event locations.
One of the most important and challenging future events is the “Amazon Sales Congress”, which attracts 250 participants. Sascha-Juliot Köhler, manager of the conference management company Köhler-Lürssen, thinks highly of Adlershof: “When we visit Berlin, we need something special. Adlershof is a site rich in tradition. For me, as a host, it is important that my wishes are respected and fulfilled. This is always the case in Adlershof – in a very charming way, too.” Josephine Kutsche, head of Adlershof’s event service, is glad to receive such positive feedback: “We brought many smart people to Forum Adlershof this year. A lot of moving around between rooms requires us to keep our cool and develop a well-thought-out schedule.”
The OSA Optical Society of America also loves the campus, which is why they hosted their laser conference here, including a large industrial exhibition. The high concentration of founders, entrepreneurs, researchers and students make Adlershof a sought-after place for events. The Photonics Days will bring guided tours, workshops and exhibitions to Adlershof before the end of this year. The event is hosted by OpTecBB, the Photonics Cluster Berlin-Brandenburg, and WISTA-MANAGEMENT GMBH.
Adlershof’s event service “Adlershof con.vent” recently rebranded itself and is now called “WISTA conventions”. This lives up to the international relevance of Germany’s most modern site for science and research. Adlershof boasts about 3,000 sqm for any type of events. Forum Adlershof is a venue with a distinct historical atmosphere. The landmarked laboratory and workshop building of the Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt (DVL), a historical aviation testing facility, breathes history and is ideal for bringing together researchers and entrepreneurs. With its Bauhaus style and state-of-the-art equipment, Bunsen Hall is laid out for large events with up to 600 people. Rudower Chaussee 17 offers seven modular event spaces and a 750-sqm terrace, which can be used simultaneously.
Adlershof’s customers have included DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale, Audi AG and the national young science competition “Jugend Forscht”, the housing company DeGeWo, the Helmholtz-Centre Berlin and the company ATN Automatisierungstechnik Niemeier. WISTA conventions is a full-service provider: it can take care sound equipment, lighting, programmes, equipment, artists, and performances. They organise trade shows, conferences, business get-togethers, summer parties, business outings and family gatherings. They also provide catering and infrastructure. The event service can provide themed catering and special buffets according to its customer’s wishes. Since many guests come from a long way away, they offer a popular hotel service of near-by hotels and shuttle services.
The WISTA conventions team also offers matchmaking events with Adlershof-based entrepreneurs and representatives of scientific institutions. Most recently, the Lise-Meitner-Gesellschaft hosted “I Scientist”, a conference on academic career paths and networking – which received very positive feedback. People who visited once, usually come again.
This year will see the 10-year anniversary of the ALS-mobil association. ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The event serves to raise awareness on how to help people that have this incurable disease.
Adlershof continuously produces innovation that fascinates people from all over the world. Many on-site partners therefore gladly contribute their buildings: the Erwin-Schrödinger-Centre of Humboldt-Universität, the Visavis film studio (Hangar), the Centre for Photovoltaics and Renewable Energies, and the Centre for IT and Media. The Hangar, for example, is a fascinating 500-sqm venue that can be adjusted adapted using lighting and a range of other media to meet the customer’s needs.
Networking events are also highly popular. They include the Adlershof Research Forum, Adlershof Colloquium, the Academic Tea Time, user cooperation meetings, and education fairs. Adlershof also hosts numerous cultural events and sports. The former take place at Theatre Adlershof and the Hörsaalkino, a series that turns lecture halls into cinemas. The historic town centre of Adlershof is also worth mentioning. It boasts the “Alte Schule”, a cultural centre, the Casablanca cinema and many more interesting places in the immediate neighbourhood of the Science City.
People are already busy training for this year’s Company Run, which will take place on 9th September. This will be a welcome opportunity for everybody to leave their labs, desks, or manufacturing halls. Whether in science or in running, the people of Adlershof are ambitious and go for the highest scores.
By Kathrin Reisinger for Adlershof Journal