A gratifying relationship

The axica convention center and the event technology provider satis&fy have worked together for more than two years, much to their mutual satisfaction. Time to take stock of a gratifying relationship:

How it all started
The debut performance of satis&fy AG in Berlin’s axica convention center took place in early 2007, when the Federal Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR) tasked satis&fy to handle the technical aspects of staging the Sterne des Sports event. Designed by Frank O. Gehry, the convention center’s unusual architecture features a glass domed roof. Another characteristic trademark is its red carpet. Uwe Buhrdorf, branch manager of satis&fy, was immediately taken with the venue. So a proposal was made to the venue’s management. The idea of teaming up with a permanent technology partner took root sooner than expected, one reason being that working with a constantly changing roster of service providers had not been entirely beneficial. “The crux of the matter, alongside the considerable wear, loss, and damage of in-house equipment, was that pricing policies and consulting quality fluctuated constantly," notes axica’s managing director Jochen A. Lohmar.

“The timing of satis&fy’s proposal was perfect. The prospects of working with a fixed technology partner that sets the highest standards for quality management, maintains a transparent price and service policy, and shares the same stance on issues such as sustainability and architecture were promising. So we took up the offer," adds Lohmar.

Eye to eye with the big players
Collaborating with a fixed technology provider is sure to pay off for a convention center with room for up to 700 people and millions in annual revenue, especially if it is well-booked all year round. More than 150 events took place in the axica in the last year alone. Exclusive product presentations, award ceremonies, press conferences, company conferences spread over several days, symposiums, and forums – the list is long and the venue can compete with the big players. It regularly hosts exhibitions, fashion shows, receptions, and gala dress dinners, with plenty of VIPs in attendance. For example, the collection society GEMA presented its German Music Authors’ Awards in the axica. In early October, the German Forum of Surgical Gynecology convened for the fourth time in the axica, an event that featured interactive, high-definition video-conferencing to broadcast and comment on live surgical procedures. Marking another highlight on the events calendar, the European Council of Agricultural Ministers convened in the axica early in the year. “So this year we had plenty of reasons to celebrate," says Lohmar, commenting on the busy calendar. This success has all but overshadowed the fact that the axica is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Last year Conference & Incentive Travel, the leading MICE magazine for the UK, added the axica to its list of the best and most unusual event locations. Of late, the axica has also been gaining momentum and making bigger waves as a state-of-the-art green gathering place.

A perfect fit
The convention center, staffed with a team of ten, has partnered with satis&fy since May 2008. Located in the DZ BANK building on Pariser Platz neighboring Berlin’s government district, the axica offers more than 1,200 square meters floor space for events. satis&fy, which has maintained a branch office in Berlin-Kreuzberg since 2006, provides the equipment and furnishings. The Berlin-based satis&fy subsidiary is on board as the preferred technical and creative services partner for events taking place in the axica. The axica also organizes events outside the venue, and satis&fy is happy to support these as well. If customers choose to bring their own equipment and personnel, satis&fy staff can serve as technical consultants.

Ready, willing, and able
The technology provider not only tackles the routine chores of staging events. The company also provides consulting, maintenance, and repair services, performs technical and acceptance inspections, and helps plan future investments. The two partners jointly drafted the house rules. And satis&fy keeps a watchful eye on the facility’s fittings. Now that satis&fy has a project manager’s office and an equipment warehouse in place at the axica, these tasks are readily accomplished. “After all, the idea is to cast this extraordinary architecture in the proper light, for example with a lighting scheme that picks up on the glass domed roof’s biomorphic structures," notes Buhrdorf.

The satis&fy project management team of Christopher Lundie and Sandra Wischnewski serves as the on-site liaison; satis&fy staff member Thomas Sorge is the resident technical advisor. The satis&fy team provides a fixed point of contact to the customer, and technical advice to axica’s international clientele of politicians, businesspeople, sports figures, and cultural notables.

A fabulous fit
The partnership is built on more than merely satis&fy’s technical know-how. The staff’s intuitive feel for and profound understanding of the venue and its special architectural features is equally important. With the benefit of this insight, satis&fy is able to support the axica team with unerring event, exhibition, and set design consulting and services. As a 17-year industry veteran with a deep well of experience in staging international events, the company has developed considerable creative powers and the sure touch of a master stylist. Case in point: satis&fy joined forces with the axica to develop a custom line of furnishings for the convention center. The object was to design unique multifunctional elements versatile enough for use in various applications. Premium-quality workmanship was a top priority. The result is a line of 26 elements the blends stylish form with superior function. These furnishing are a perfect fit for the interior architecture, yet retain a unique, signature identity. And they’re versatile: What serves as a catering counter today can be used as reception desk tomorrow.

The right chemistry
Jochen Lohmar says that he has no regrets about the decision to cooperate. In fact, working with satis&fy’s Berlin branch is fun because the team always comes up with fast, simple solutions for every challenge in event technology, exhibition design and construction, and set design. The team puts the customer and results first, so everyone wins with this partnership. Lohmar is looking forward to the prospects of further cooperation. Both Lohmar, the managing director manager of one of the capital’s most extraordinary venues, and Uwe Buhrdorf, branch manager of satis&fy, have a great love of detail and aspire to perfection. And that shared outlook has fostered a spirit of genuine friendship.

Fotos: © axica

satis&fy AG Deutschland has earned a top spot among European providers of event technology with its ability deliver a one-stop solution. This end-to-end offering encompasses lighting, audio, video, presentation, and stagecraft technology and services. The production company also constructs exhibition stands, and offers set, graphic, and 3D animation design services, as well as furniture rentals. Its equipment and materials pool is one of Europe’s largest. The event service provider’s holistic approach and full-service offering, all from a sole source, are among its greatest strengths. Headquartered in Karben, the enterprise employs more than 240 people. It maintains further branches in the Westphalian town of Werne and, since 2006, in Berlin. A subsidiary company operates in the Netherlands.

For more information, contact:
Katrin Fougeray
marketing & communications
phone: +49 (0)6039/9120-983
e-mail: KatrinFougeray@satis-fy.com