Q & A
“ There’ s a mind-blowing amount of options, which are so different to the UK”
Q & A
David McAllister
F2f Events, owner
McAllister brings 15 years’ experience as an organiser and association worker
Why Germany? All around Germany there is an amazing amount of venues that are not Messe venues. Until you start digging you don’ t realise they exist. Obviously it all depends on the size of your event, but if you are looking at a new launch, there are plenty of smaller venue options.
How extensively did you research the markets there? We’ ve found there’ s a mind-blowing amount of options, which are so different to the UK. What I do not understand though is why this mass competition is not reflected in the price for tenancies. Germany is an expensive place to run a show.
How do you work with the venue? Thus far, like all companies,
a lot depends on who you are dealing with I suppose. I have been most impressed with Hanover and Munich so far and Essen is not far behind.
What, if any, are the cultural differences you’ ve encountered? One thing I would suggest is to tread cautiously and ensure intellectual property is respected.
What do you wish you’ d known beforehand? I’ ll give you one story. We entered Germany in 2015 with our veggie show in Berlin in January at the time of entry there were two other shows in German run by one company. Within 12 months there are now 14 shows run by five different organisations – madness and no good for anyone. ■■■
“ There’ s a mind-blowing amount of options, which are so different to the UK”
12 Germany, The UK Organiser’ s User Guide EW / EN 2016