The Estrel seemed a bit more like an airport than a convention center: Anyone wishing to enter the building was required to pass through one of the numerous security gates in order to access the Estrel Congress Center (ECC). There - for the first time in Germany - the annual conference of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was taking place. This United Nations event is where the legal, political, social and technical aspects of the Internet are discussed. While the ECC has hosted high profile political events with strict security standards countless times, the IGF with 5,000 guests from 163 countries was the first event for which the ECC was transformed into an extra-territorial area under UN sovereignty. The security measures were not only aimed at protecting guests such as Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres, but also to maintain the boundaries to the area under UN jurisdiction. In the 38,000 sqm congress area, UN law was in effect for the one week duration of the event, visible through the presence of UN security forces in their blue uniforms.
Case Studies
Case Studies Impressive variety of events
the Estrel Congress Center has established itself as a leader on the German domestic conference market and the international conference market. We have more than 500 employees dedicated to ensuring that the events we host annually run to the complete satisfaction of our guests. The large number of customers who return regularly to take advantage of our services "Eyerything under one roof" are our best reference.
Below you can find a selection of just some of the recurring events.
Congress Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Catering German Logistics Congress
Estrel Berlin has proven that Europe's largest hotel, congress & entertainment center also has solid off-site catering competency as evidenced by the expert orchestration of the German Logistics Congress at the event location Arena Berlin. 1,850 chairs, 100 bar tables, 120 banquet tables, 10,000 plates, 16,000 glasses, 22,000 pieces of cutlery, and lots of event-related equipment was transported by the Estrel team to the STATION Berlin in over 20 truck deliveries in order to cater for the 1,700 guests attending 35th German Logistics Congress Gala. With a preparation spanning over three days, sixty chefs were on board to guarantee a top-quality culinary experience for the guests.
Congress and Expo IDTechEx Show
When the IDTechEx Show comes to the Estrel, the future is now! This international event brings together the most important players in the fields of 3D printing, e-mobility, energy storage, graphs & 2D materials, the Internet of Things, printed electronics, sensor technologies and wearable technologies. Two days of specialized conferences and the accompanying exhibition share and highlight the latest developments in these industries.
Beginning with 600 attendees in 2012, the IDTechEx Show has been taking place at the Estrel for eight years now. The show drew 1,600 international guests, most of whom stayed at the Estrel Hotel. The conference aspect utilized 13 event rooms for sessions & workshops and the accompanying expo showcased more than 200 exhibitors in the ECC's Convention Hall II and Hall Europa.
Trade Show, Congress and Gala MHK Group AG
One of the Estrel's most loyal clients, the MHK Group has been coming to Estrel Berlin for twenty years with its Annual General Meeting. And together, both have grown: The MHK event has doubled in size over the years and simultaneously, the Estrel significantly expanded its congress facility. Just as the Estrel is a place of superlatives, the Annual General Meeting of the MHK Group was a masterpiece in event delivery: The 3,200 guests experienced an unforgettable two-day event with prominent guest speakers, an award ceremony and glamorous evening gala with music acts. 920 or so permanent and freelance staff from the Estrel were on duty to ensure the success of the event – event technicians , chefs and service personnel as well as the housekeeping team servicing the 1,125 rooms of the Estrel Hotel that were fully occupied by MHK.
Congress and Exhibition K5 Future Retail Conference
Two days, 100 exhibitors, 150 lectures, 2,200 participants – that was the K5 Future Retail Conference 2018!
Since 2016, the event has been taking place in the Estrel with a steady increase in the numbers of participants. The size and flexibility of the meeting rooms, the directly adjacent Estrel Hotel, the onsite show theatre and, above all, the creative and professional Estrel team – were all decisive factors for K5 in choosing the Estrel as its event location. At the Estrel it is possible to orchestrate all aspects of an event, from plenary sessions and presentations to exhibitions and parties. The "All under one roof" concept promotes not only networking and guest interaction, but also optimizes logistics, in turn reducing costs. The state-of-the-art event technology and expert competency of the Estrel's in-house tech department enables quick and flexible tech implementation.
Gala Champions Gala
In its event film series "Think Big", the Estrel brought to life a variety of events that have taken place at Europe's largest hotel, congress & entertainment center. The crowning finale of this series is the "Champions Gala – Berlin's Sportsman of the Year" which was held in Convention Hall I.
Congress Nephrology Congress
Berlin is one of the most important international destinations for congresses and conferences. Many of which are events in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, reflecting the German capital's position as one of the world's leading locations for medicine and science. Part 4 of our event film series "Think Big"highlights the Estrel Berlin as a location for medical events. Here you gain not only insights into the "Congress for Nephrology", but also exciting details about the future plans of the ECC (Estrel Congress Center) in an interview with Estrel Managing Director Ute Jacobs.
Congress DGB Federal Congress
At the 21st Ordinary Federal Congress of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), more than 400 delegates met for four and a half days at the ECC (Estrel Congress Center) to make important decisions about the course of the DGB in the coming years. In addition to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, numerous other well-known politicians were also in attendance.
Sporting Event SES Boxing Gala
Fights with boxing legends such as Dr. Vitali Klitschko, Graciano "Rocky" Rocchigiani, Oktay Urkal, Dariusz Michalczewski among others have established the Estrel Berlin in the past as one of Germany's "boxing temples". This tradition continued with two heavyweight fights: European champion Agit Kabayel defended his European Championship title against Miljan Rovcanin and Tom Schwarz boxed against Senad Gashi. The SES boxing gala was broadcast live by MDR.