re:publica and NEXT join forces to make Berlin Web Week 2012 Europe’s biggest digital festival

12.09.2011

Two leading digital conventions, re:publica and NEXT, plan to merge their respective events under the auspices of the fifth annual Berlin Web Week, which will be held from May 2nd until 9th, 2012.  re:publica is scheduled to make up the first part of the program, from May 2nd to 4th, while NEXT will be closing it on May 8th and 9th, 2011.  These two keystone events alone are expected to attract more than 6,000 visitors to the German capital.  

For eight days, Berlin will become the center of the digital world, with Berlin Web Week in the spotlight as the leading festival of Europe’s digital scene.  The program will be supplemented by a slew of special events devoted to issues topical for today’s digital society and economy.  Berlin Partner GmbH, the public-sector company marketing Berlin to investors and assisting business with their economic development in the city, will act as coordinator of Berlin Web Week, while also promoting the event nationally and internationally with a wide-reaching advertising campaign. Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Berlin-Brandenburg Media Board), a public-sector sponsor of both re:publica and NEXT, brought the two events to the Web Week.

By scheduling their events together, the organizers of the two conferences intend to boost the Berlin Web Week brand as well as its power to attract national and international attendees.  Thus, the sixth annual installment of re:publica, the leading German convention on blogs, social media and the digital society, will take place during Berlin Web Week for the first time.  re:publica has long numbered among the most popular draws on the calendar of events devoted to the digital society.  The other highlight, and closing event, of Berlin Web Week will be the seventh annual NEXT conference, the leading European convention on the digital economy.  

The two events have been coordinated not only timewise but also in terms of their venue: the STATION-Berlin convention halls situated in direct proximity to Potsdamer Platz.  With its choice trade-fair, event and convention location, STATION-Berlin will function both as a co-organizer of NEXT as well as a partner of re:publica.  Two additional new partners supporting re:publica in 2012 will be Berlin Partner GmbH and Daimler AG Business Innovation.

René Gurka, managing director of Berlin Partner, described how it all came to pass: “It was more than four years ago that Berlin Partner first began to coordinate and promote Berlin Web Week – until then, it had been just a loose agglomeration of events.  We wanted to position Berlin internationally, as a focal point of the digital scene.  The fact that more and more partners are coming on board validates our vision and encourages us to push forward.  Together, we will be able to meet and even exceed our goals!  Our “baby” is growing up and thriving.  Already, Berlin is seen as one of the global hot spots of the internet economy.”

Berlin-Brandenburg Media Board’s Managing Director Elmar Giglinger explained the reasons behind his organization’s initiative: “The Berlin metropolitan region offers ideal conditions for businesses, especially those on the digital scene.  This is borne out by the dynamic trend of new startups, which is unique in all of Germany.  In fact, many people are already calling Berlin the ‘European Silicon Valley.’  One of the overarching objectives of the Media Board’s work in promoting our capital as a business location is to expand and reinforce this reputation.  Bringing the two major German digital conferences under one roof at Berlin Web Week is a significant step in this direction.”

Matthias Schrader, CEO of SinnerSchrader and Chairman of NEXT, was clearly upbeat: “The new Berlin Web Week offers a dynamic package for Europe’s digital economy.  These eight days will give the digital revolution a strong shot of publicity and help propel the industry forward.”  Norbert Tillmann, managing director of STATION-Berlin and PREMIUM Exhibitions: “I think it’s fantastic that, in the years to come, we will be hosting both of Berlin Web Week’s two main events on our own premises.  For us, this is proof positive that our long-term commitment to Berlin as a choice location for cutting-edge trade fairs and conventions is paying off.  I wish all the participants lots of success and look forward to our working together in the future.”

Spreeblick Verlag’s Johnny Haeusler, a founding member of re:publica: “re:publica has grown by leaps and bounds.  Lots of change and room to move is exactly what it needs going forward – this will help keep it the lean, fresh and flexible event that we know and love.”  Andreas Gebhard, managing director of newthinking communications GmbH: “We are all extremely pleased to see the event-planning phase really get into high gear now.  We invite all interested partners to already start considering their participation in #rp12.”  As in years past, a call for papers will invite participants to contribute to the program’s content in December.

For more information on Berlin Web Week, please navigate to:

http://berlinwebweek.de/lang-pref/en/

The following sites provide additional details:

http://www.medienboard.de/WebObjects/Medienboard.woa/wa/CMSshow/2731336
http://nextconf.eu/next11/
http://www.re-publica.de/12/