Wir in Sachsen - Wirtschaftsjournal

C O M PA N I E S A N D P R O D U C T SWhat else is yet to come?LFollowing WorldSkills, all eyes remain on Leipzig Trade Fair as the recommendedpartner for major eventsAt the start of July more than 1,000 apprentices and young professionals from 53 countries showed offthe best they have to offer in 46 disciplines. Thus, this global training event managed to enthuse manyyoung visitors for their new careers. But what could possibly follow such an event? Wirtschaftsjournalraised this question in an interview with Martin Buhl-Wagner, spokesperson for the management boardof the Leipzig Trade Fair. His company played a major role in the organization of WorldSkills.The new stage with the ManagingDirectors of the Leipzig Trade Fair,Martin Buhl-Wagner (r.) and MarkusGeisenberger.Photo: Leipziger Messe/Lutz ZimmermannWirtschaftsjournal: At the start of July, WorldSkills –the world championship when it comes to jobs andrelated careers – took place on the exhibition grounds.How has this unique event continued to have aneffect?Martin Buhl-Wagner: These were a very emotional fewdays. To witness these young people, with their excitementand enthusiasm for their career, made a big impressionon me. The City of Leipzig also proved to be an excellenthost. There was much praise for this and for the qualityof the competition venues, both from participants andmembers of the judging panel. We are of course de lightedwith this as the Leipziger Messe corporate group alsoplayed their part. The venue enabled us to present ourlarge range of services.WJ: You describe yourself as an ‘integrated tradefair organizer’…Buhl-Wagner: Correct, and this is something we demonstratedand further developed at WorldSkills. The WorldChampionship and the associated congresses occupiedthe entire exhibition site, the Leipzig Congress Center andthe open-air spaces. Specialist and trans-sectoral teamsplanned, coordinated and realized the fulfillment of comprehensiveservice requirements. Thus, Leipziger Messeand its subsidiaries were a significant sparring partner forthe organizer, WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 GmbH, and itsnational and international sponsors. Thus we were ableto successfully realize this major event.WJ: Which new challenges did the Leipzig TradeFair have to overcome during the course of World -Skills?Buhl-Wagner: First of all, we realized the provision ofextensive hospitality services. 40 different types of supportpackages were put together for the international competitorsand experts - numbering more than 3,500 – whichincluded transfer services, hotel bookings, catering andindividual excursions. This service will now be offered tosubsequent events organizers. We are thus announcingthat if you come to Leipzig, you will receive a completeservice from a single source, leaving you to take care ofyour own business in peace.WJ: WorldSkills is by nature a one-off event for LeipzigerMesse. This raises the question, what legacywill it leave behind?Buhl-Wagner: Alongside the experience gained of transsectoraland inter-company working structures, a new multifunctionalseating stand design. This is used primarily inExhibition Hall 1. Leipziger Messe thus now features a multifunctionalevents hall. Therefore we are now marketing itunder the name “Halle EINS”. Having played host to thestarting and closing events of WorldSkills Leipzig 2013, thestand layout has survived its baptism of fire.WJ: What is special about it?Buhl-Wagner: The interior design of Halle EINS can beadapted to suit the most varied customer requirements withonly short times required for setup and takedown. There iscapacity for several thousand seats for large congresses orstands and standing places for concerts as well as complexstaging for television productions or the installation of infrastructuresfor special sporting events. On the twelve standunits, each with 20 rows of seats, there are a total of 4,320cushioned seats. There are also various additional seatingoptions. This means that, with an area of 19,200 squaremeters, events with a capacity of up to 15,000 people arepossible. In addition, the stage components can be movedto the other trade fair halls and used there as well.WJ: Which new business opportunities are there forthe Leipzig Trade Fair?Buhl-Wagner: With Halle EINS, we are strengthening ourfocus on events and hope to attract a significantly largernumber of guest events. With the multi-functional stageconstruction we fulfill the majority of the requirements ofthe events market.Interviewer: Claudia HillmannWIR in SACHSEN 2013 41