Latest news with #visitBerlin
Travel Daily News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Travel Daily News
Berlin announces first 'Berlin Freedom Week' in November 2025
First 'Berlin Freedom Week' will take place from November 8 -15, 2025. Patron is the Governing Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner. BERLIN – Berlin is organizing the 'Berlin Freedom Week' for the first time from November 8-15, 2025. As part of this new initiative, numerous events on the topics of freedom and democracy will take place across the city to mark the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Conference formats, cultural events, workshops and interactive offers for all generations are planned, aimed at German and international guests as well as Berliners. Organizations and institutions are invited to participate with their own events. The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner said: 'Berlin is the city of freedom – and therefore the right place for the first 'Berlin Freedom Week'. In view of the war in Europe, the global crises and challenges, we must do everything we can to secure and strengthen democracy and defend people's freedom wherever it is threatened. The exchange at the conferences and events of Berlin Freedom Week is of the utmost importance – for us and for all those who stand up for freedom, the rule of law and our democratic values.' Burkhard Kieker, Managing Director of visitBerlin commented: 'With the Berlin Freedom Week, the capital is creating a new platform for global exchange on freedom, democratic values and human rights. In future, it will take place every year around November 9. The German capital will once again show why it is regarded worldwide as a symbol of freedom and democracy. No other city would be better suited than Berlin to celebrate freedom and give a stage to committed voices from all over the world who stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights.' Patron is Mayor Kai Wegner. The initiators of the Week include visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the World Liberty Congress, the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship and the Robert Havemann Society. 'Berlin Freedom Conference' on November 10 A highlight of the week of events on November 10. Leading players from national and international politics, civil society, business, culture and the media will come together to forge new alliances for the defense of freedom and democracy and to promote democratic change in unfree societies worldwide. The conference is organized by visitBerlin in cooperation with the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation and the World Liberty Congress and funded by the Lotto Foundation Berlin. 'World Liberty Congress': United dissidents from around the world meet in Berlin More than 200 freedom fighters and pro-democracy leaders from more than 50 authoritarian countries around the world are traveling to the city for the II General Assembly of the World Liberty Congress to discuss the issues of democratic change in their countries of origin. The World Liberty Congress is the largest global alliance of pro-democracy leaders. For them, the fall of the Berlin Wall is a symbol of hope. That is why they have chosen Berlin as the city for their General Assembly. This underlines the symbolic importance of Berlin as a city of freedom and a place for democracy and human rights. Leopoldo López, leading member of the opposition movement in Venezuela and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress: 'The Berlin Wall once stood as a stark line between tyranny and freedom – its fall was a triumph of courage over oppression. But today, new Berlin Walls still rise in the form of authoritarian regimes that silence, imprison, and kill those who dare to dissent. As brave freedom fighters continue their struggle around the world, Berlin reminds us that no wall is too high, no regime too strong, to be brought down. That's why the World Liberty Congress is bringing together dissidents and democracy leaders from across the globe for Berlin Freedom Week – to unite, learn from one another, and strengthen the global fight for freedom.' Antje Schippmann, Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation says: 'Freedom is on the retreat worldwide. Authoritarian regimes, from Moscow to Caracas, support each other militarily, technologically and politically. This makes it all the more important for democratic forces around the world to work together more closely. As the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, we are continuing to work together with the city of Berlin to achieve this. Berlin Freedom Week creates new spaces for encounters, ideas and networks. It connects courageous dissidents who fight for democracy in dictatorships with international decision-makers from politics, business, defense and technology and a broad public.'
Travel Daily News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Berlin launches new Impact Programme
Berlin as a meeting destination will be showcasing itself at IMEX Frankfurt from 20 to 22 May BERLIN – Berlin will be making a strong statement for future-oriented event formats at IMEX Frankfurt, the international flagship trade show for the congress and events industry. The Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin will be presenting the 'Berlin Impact Programme' for the first time. This strategic consultancy and support offering is aimed at event planners who want to achieve measurable, sustainable impact with their events. The goal is to reinforce city's position as a leading MICE destination and to future-proof the city in the global market. 'With the Berlin Impact Programme, we want to support our clients in achieving their overarching event objectives while also making a positive contribution to the city and its communities,' says Marco Oelschlegel, Head of the Berlin Convention Office. Oelschlegel continues: 'The MICE business not only delivers significant economic value for Berlin, it also provides qualitative benefits. Events strengthen Berlin's industries and contribute to social relevance.' Berlin Impact Programme: Impact with a System As part of the 'Sustainable Meetings Berlin' platform, the 'Berlin Impact Programme' offers tailored advice and access to a network of committed Berlin partners. In practice, this includes short-term impact activities such as social days or charity campaigns, as well as the development of long-term partnerships that generate genuine value for organisers, the city, and its residents. Examples include educational collaborations with local schools and universities or public medical services provided during specialist conferences. IMEX visitors are invited to visit the Berlin Convention Office in Hall 8, Stand F010 to learn more about the Berlin Impact Programme. In addition to presentations on the topic of impact, visitors can attend keynote talks offering insights into sustainable event formats in Berlin, the Berlin Meeting Campus, and other exciting news from the German capital. More Berlin Highlights: Preview of BESTIVAL 2025 Another IMEX highlight is the BESTIVAL, which will bring national and international industry professionals to Berlin from 3 to 4 July. At this business festival, MICE experts from Germany and across Europe will experience the city as a reliable and forward-looking destination for events and conferences. The focus themes are 'Sustainability', 'Community' and 'Innovation'. Sustainability: Estrel Tower and EUREF-Campus set new standards Estrel Berlin will also be represented at IMEX, showcasing the Estrel Tower, which will expand Berlin's event and hotel offering from 2026. At 176 metres tall, with over 500 rooms, 3,800 m² of event space and 9,300 m² of coworking space, this project will set new benchmarks. The Tower is set to become Berlin's tallest building and a symbol of sustainable construction – featuring photovoltaic systems, an energy-efficient façade, and climate-neutral district heating. Furthermore, the EUREF-Campus Berlin will demonstrate how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. Since 2024, the refurbished gasometer with its panoramic rooftop terrace has once again been available as an event location. The campus, which has already met the 2045 climate targets since 2014, offers a total of ten certified event venues for up to 2,000 guests. From 20 to 22 May, the Berlin Convention Office will be presenting itself together with 18 partners in Frankfurt. Alongside the EUREF Campus and Estrel Berlin, these partners include: Amano Group, Courtyard by Marriott Berlin, Grand Hyatt Berlin, Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Hotel Palace Berlin, Hotel Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof, Mampe Spirituosen, Messe Berlin, Park Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz, Scandic Hotel Potsdamer Platz, Seminaris Campus Hotel, The Hoxton, The Mandala Hotel, Time Change, Titanic Hotels Berlin and Waldorf Astoria Berlin.
