Meeting Every Challenge

“Cortina will be the next major highlight in our Olympic story,” says Marius Berlemann, COO of Messe Düsseldorf. “Once again, it is a project where we can demonstrate the full breadth of our expertise. The location of the German House is a golf club situated on a mountainside, which brings a certain level of logistical complexity.” There is only a single road leading up to the venue. “Catering, waste disposal, cleaning – all service providers accessing the German House site have to use this one route. All of this needs to be very carefully coordinated,” explains Urban Kiss, Director Special Events. The company’s experience – not only from numerous previous German Houses but also from its global trade fair business – is invaluable here. As Marius Berlemann puts it: “We know how to create outstanding experiences for large numbers of people in limited spaces. And we are experienced in delivering top-class events under constantly changing underlying conditions.”

Messe Düsseldorf’s international network provides support
At present, Messe Düsseldorf staff are repeatedly on site in Cortina, among other things to coordinate with local service providers. “In many aspects, Cortina cannot be compared with the most recent Games in Paris. In a global metropolis, it is much easier to put something together quickly with local partners,” says Urban Kiss. In Cortina, those partners first have to be identified. However, since preparations began immediately after the German House location was selected two years ago, those responsible are now looking ahead to the Games with a sense of anticipation and calm. “Messe Düsseldorf has a strong international network that has always supported us around the German House – and is doing so again in Cortina,” says Marius Berlemann.

In mid-January, the Messe Düsseldorf team will depart for Cortina and remain on site on a continuous basis. From the end of January onwards, with only brief interruptions, around 140 people – including many colleagues from DSM, Messe Düsseldorf and other partners – will be working in Italy for up to two months. After the Olympic Games conclude on 22 February, their tasks will include converting the German House for Team Deutschland Paralympics (TDP). The TDP will then share the venue with the Austrian Paralympic team.

During the Olympic Games, the German House is expecting around 250 guests per day, with a further 400 visitors anticipated in the adjacent fan zone. Following the success of the fan zone in Paris, the decision was quickly made to implement the concept again in Cortina. Admission to the fan zone will be free of charge for all visitors.