OPENING DSTNCMP²¹

July 7, 2021, by Wolfgang Weiler

Warning: This content may be triggering.

Warning: potentially triggering content! This may be distressing for participants in the DSTNCMP as well as die-hard tourism professionals who want to think beyond the obvious. Everything that follows may serve as a trigger to put theory into practice …

No sooner had Hamburg’s second-largest movie theater at CinemaxX filled up in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines than the intro to Pirates of the Caribbean faded out and a warning triangle lit up on the giant screen at 6:31 p.m. on July 6, 2021. The 11th DSTNCMPin Hamburg had begun.

CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE

Just one day before the start, the health authorities of the Hanseatic City had granted a special exemption for the analog DSTNCMP²¹ to take place under COVID-19 restrictions— allowing 150 participants instead of the usual 100.

In the other auditoriums of Hamburg’s flagship movie theater at Dammtor, *Wonder Woman 1984*, *The Spy*, and various mystery and horror thrillers were playing on the screens. In Theater 3, four magnificent artists from the Hamburg improv theater group“Hidden Shakespeare” entertained the audience in front of the screen with stories and poems, wordplay, and shifts in perspective.

The participants were treated to popcorn and sustainable DSTNCMP, just like at the movies²¹drinks from Allgäuer Alpenwasser, and “tossed” ice cream treats as refreshments during short breaks.

A Successful Start Despite Tighter COVID-19 Restrictions

All in all: A successful start to the DSTNCMP²¹, the first major in-person event of the year for tourism professionals, hoteliers, agencies, and experts.

The program, venues, and conference schedule had once again been adjusted by the organizer, netzvitamine GmbH, right up until the last minute to comply with the COVID-19 regulations in effect in Hamburg and those additionally imposed by the special permit. The venue for the DSTNCMP is the five-star “Grand Elysée”hotel , located just a few minutes’ walk from CinemaxX and Dammtor Station. It isthe largest conference hotel in Hamburg and amulti-award-winning event venue.

Chief Organizer Benjamin Buhl, one of the three managing directors of netzvitamine GmbH, first had to familiarize the crew, moderators, and staff with the latest rules; later that evening, host Bernhard Lingg then had to brief all audience members in the theater on them: body temperature checks, daily rapid tests for anyone who is not vaccinated or has not recovered from COVID-19, a mandatory FFP2 mask requirement at all times in all buildings and during sessions, and checking in and out using the Corona-Warn-App whenever changing locations. In addition, all participants received a nourishing hand sanitizer upon arrival as part of the DSTNCMP Edition—produced by the well-known Bahnhof-Apotheke in Kempten.

New Structure: 8 Thematic Tracks, 40 Sessions

Even the cinematic presentation of the 10 partners, featuring the German voices of Bruce Willis and Robert Redford, was truly cinematic. But also the way Bruce asked all the hosts from off-screen:

Who are you, and what are you doing here? – How do you do it? – And what else?

This year, the 8 thematic strands were presented by the presenters . In five sessions each, participants will explore current issues in German-speaking tourism through Thursday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, everyone must choose one of the thematic tracks—and seating is strictly limited in each session room. The regulations prohibit hopping between sessions. First come, first served.

Dinner at Its Finest

Back at the Silberstern Arena—the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Elysée Hotel—after returning from the CinemaxX, we were treated to ceviche made with silver salmon and white halibut, or beetroot; dry-aged US Prime beef sirloin ; or green pumpkin served with potato and truffle mash; and, to finish, a soup made with grilled pineapple and iced mint.

At 11 p.m., alcohol service ended in accordance with COVID-19 regulations. But well past midnight, a few people were still sitting around discussing how early they would have to line up for which topic...