Ole Hertel, VP and Managing Director, Anschutz Entertainment Group Operations GmbH

1. Describe your company in a tweet 

AEG is the world's largest provider of live entertainment and sports. AEG operates the @MBArenaBerlin, @VertMusicHall and @mercedesplatz in the capital. And the @Eisbären_B also belong to us. #GivingTheWorldReasonToCheer.

2. Why are you involved as a Berlin-Partner? 

Because we are committed to Berlin. We need a strong network at our respective locations for our projects.

3. What topics drive you in relation to your industry? 

The continuous improvement of the visitor experience is our focus. Venue operators are certainly not the main drivers of innovation, but they are enthusiastic implementers of innovation. Anything that gets guests smoothly to the venue, to their drink and to their seat at the event and ensures that the evening is unforgettable is relevant to us. If it also ensures greater safety and convenience, we are guaranteed to use it.

4. What makes Berlin special for you? 

Berlin is a vibrant metropolis with enormous appeal and is very open to the people who come here. There is no real answer to the question of when you become a Berliner - the typical Berliner was not born here and most native Berliners live in Spandau. The city takes people as they are. Comes as you are - that's a locational advantage.

5. Why is Berlin attractive for your company? 

When AEG came to Berlin at the turn of the millennium, the city was a sleeping giant with incredible potential. At times, we had the feeling that we were the only ones who believed in this city. We had the chance to use our experience from Los Angeles and London to help shape a piece of Berlin.  We are now benefiting from the radiance that Berlin has developed. Our arena is also a must-play venue because it is located in Berlin.

6. What does Berlin stand for to you? 

Freedom, diversity and serenity.

7. How does your company implement the topic of sustainability? 

The operation of event venues is associated with high energy requirements. Since the arena opened, we have continuously reduced our energy consumption with various measures. These include, for example, switching to LED lighting and operating our own combined heat and power plant. We purchase certified climate-neutral green electricity from GASAG from hydropower in Norway and offset our natural gas consumption with certificates for hydropower plants in India. Together with our caterer Levy Restaurants, we implemented the ban on single-use plastic at an early stage and only use cardboard or cardboard substitutes and wrapping paper when serving food. In this context, we introduced an in-house reusable cup system with its own dishwashing line last year. The arena is optimally connected to local and long-distance public transport and has sufficient bicycle parking spaces. We have our CO2 footprint measured via our global sustainability program AEG Sustainability and are working with an agency specializing in sustainability and change management to integrate sustainability as a task into all company processes.