On 6 – 9 September, Europe’s top jewellery manufacturers gathered for The Show in Hamburg. The event combines an exhibition over 20 premium jewellery manufacturers along with expert talks, catwalk shows and networking events. The Show was open to trade visitors (dealers) and the general public attracting around 200 attendees across each of its four days. Passenger ships along Hamburg’s River Elbe hosted 200 people for a series of nautical networking events.

The Show was one of the first major business events to take place in the city - Hamburg, at the time, could host indoor events of up to 650 people. 

Hamburg Convention Bureau launched their “That’s Why Hamburg” campaign to tie into the event with branding throughout the city and on bespoke face masks for some attendees.

The venue, organizers and caterers share their experience of hosting one of the first business events in Hamburg since the Covid-19 pandemic:

Venue team creates comprehensive health & safety guidance

The Show took place in the AltonaerFischauktionshalle, Hamburg’s historic fish auction halls, dating from 1896.

Jana CarolinKrull, Senior Project Manager at Stacklies Catering & Events who manages the AltonaerFischauktionshalle venue says: “The Show was the first event we had hosted following six months at a standstill. As part of the planning, we drew up a 26-page hygiene and safety concept. Hygiene measures included signage,hand sanitizer stations, an accreditation & tracing tool (via barcode scanning) and onsite hygiene staff.”

In addition, each exhibitor had separating panes made of acrylic glass for their consultation tables and a sensor-controlled disinfectant dispenser at the entrance to each booth. The event allowed transport provider AMS (Advanced Mobility Solutions) to showcase their new health and safety practices including bespoke plexi-glass shields inside each vehicle and face masks branded with HCB’s ‘That’s Why Hamburg’ campaign logo. The vehicles used were 100% electric Mercedes-Benz eVitos with zero local emission.

Partnership working ensures success

Likewise for event organisers Am Startevents, this was the first project they had worked on since the pandemic struck and there were some new challenges to be addressed as Kai Grube ,CEO of Am Startevents explains: “The main challenge was to establish a successful partner network, which included location operator Stacklies, and together we were able to address the condensed planning period which was much shorter than usual.

“The development and implementation of a sustainable, responsible hygiene concept was the basis for the event. This is a completely new area of competence for event planners and involved close liaison with experts and authorities at all times.”

Celebrity chef makes a splash with catering on historic river vessel

Celebrity chef Cornelia Poletto and her team managed the catering for the evening networking events on board an old Mississippi steamer, part of the fleet of ships on the River Elbe.

She explains: “After a long dry spell caused by the coronavirus, our work for The Show was our first major out-of-home catering. We were a team of 15 people onsite and enjoyed being able to finally pursue our passion again. We weren’t the only ones having fun - the guests seemed very relaxed and happy and enjoyed being able to share the experience with others.

“For us, the challenge wasn’t following the safety guidelines, which we’re now used to, it was dealing with the fact that the event took place on an old Mississippi steamer and across two floors! We had to draw on our previous experience of catering for a celebrity wedding on a yacht.

Reminding the world of the power of events

The Show was a hit with visitors and exhibitors alike. Exhibitor Gerhard Fritsch, managing director of luxury jewellery manufacturer Capolavoro, says: “Our customers were just as happy as we were to meet again after more than six months. It was important to show that business can successfully take place at a live event – and with plenty of fun in the proceedings.”

Florian Gerdes, marketing manager conventions, at the Hamburg Convention Bureau, adds: “The Show was one of the first major business events to take place in Hamburg since the pandemic. Its success was down to the close partnerships between all organizations involved, who were all committed to making The Show a safe, productive and fun experience for all involved. The event also serves as an important reminder of the power of events to boost business and create powerful working relationships, particularly in this current difficult business climate.”

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