Located in the north of Germany, Hamburg has always attracted major conferences hosted at its historic conference centre for over forty years. When the pandemic hit, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg had already begun to modernize and remodel. The aim? To give the city a convention venue that could further strengthen its position as one of the world’s top locations for major events.
The centrally located centre boasts easy access to a train station and a 25-minute ride from the airport. It features a spatial design that ensures ultimate flexibility, with up to 50 multifunctional halls spread across four levels and three vertical event sections. 12,000 visitors can take advantage of the 36,000 square metres of usable surface area and make use of its advanced AV equipment and an innovative lighting system.
Inclusion and sustainability were a top priority during the construction of the new CCH. After consulting with representatives of organizations advocating inclusion, stair-free access, reduced counter and handrail heights, and a floor-integrated guidance system were all integrated in the building. On the sustainability front, the centre’s operators hope to receive a Gold Certificate from the German Sustainable Building Council.
Smart Mobility At CCH
Facilities that offer such flexibility, innovation and quality are bound to attract important events like the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress 2021. From 11 to 15 October 2021 the new CCH opened its doors for the first time to the 27th edition of the congress, under the theme ‘Experience Future Mobility Now’. Hosted by the State and City of Hamburg, ERTICO – ITS Europe and the Federal Department of Transportation (BMVI), the event was attended by more than 13,000 guests, around 4,000 visitors on Public Day, and 400 exhibitors from all continents.
Heike Mahmoud, Chief Operating Officer, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg said: “The grand opening event at the beginning of the ITS World Congress, with more than 2,000 guests in Hall 1, was a truly moving moment for all of us. The five-day convention was a full success and the result of a fantastic joint effort. The collaboration between the event organizer, our own team and all the service contractors and other stakeholders was exceptional.”
ITS World Congress benefited from the new facilities to bring together thought leaders, developers, entrepreneurs, and decision makers from the fields of transportation, logistics and IT to discuss smart mobility and tomorrow’s interconnected traffic systems. The much-anticipated in-person event left quite an impact on the city of Hamburg. With a plan to implement the ambitious goals of the ITS Strategy by the year 2030, projects such as implementing the Mobility Transition, optimizing traffic flows, increasing traffic safety, and reducing the environmental footprint of transportation will find their place in citizens’ everyday life.
Conditions of organizing a conference have changed dramatically over this difficult period. Combining flexible spaces, safety for delegates, sustainable venues and events and a long-lasting impact for the organizing city are imperative elements. The new CCH – Congress Center Hamburg has taken all these aspects into account and has already held other successful events like the Hamburg MIC Symposium, the ENDOCLUBNORD, and the Aviation Forum Hamburg.