DSTNCMP-PREMIUMpartner
DSTNCMP²² DAY 2
ON April 28, 2022 BY WOLFGANG WEILER
From the Alster to the Elbe
CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE
The motto of the evening program on the 2nd day of DSTNCMP22 only hinted to Hamburg locals what a wide range of impressions and experiences awaited the approximately 240 participants: "From the Alster to the Elbe" was symbolic of the change of perspective that some of the 27 sessions had already brought. However, the motto also programmatically represented the again unique evening event: it led from the Alster to the Elbe. And whether the Alster or the Elbe is their home means a lot to Hamburg residents.
Session Hopping & Knowledge Booster
In a total of 24 sessions across eight thematic tracks and three lectures at the netzvitamineAKADEMIE, DSTNCMP22 at Hotel Le Méridien on the Outer Alster captivated participants on the 2nd day with creative discussions, authentic problem statements, and viable solution proposals.
The topics, moderators, and impulse generators had already been published on the website – and this year, despite Corona regulations, participants were finally allowed to switch between sessions again. This allowed everyone to put together their individual DSTNCMP22 knowledge booster in advance.
From the new Sinus Milieus in the netzvitamineAKADEMIE to topics such as Smart Tourism Mindset, Experience(s)hopping, visitor management measures, or criteria for habitat concepts, the range of two-hour sessions was extensive.
Under the water to the evening event
After the 3rd session, the announcement was: "We meet at 6:30 PM in the grid square ///ewig.ausblicke.farbe. Anyone who isn't there on time will miss the evening."
Nobody wanted to miss that: Punctually, the procession set off in the early evening across the Landungsbrücken. The pier, nearly 700 meters long, serves as a docking point for harbor tours, boat trips through the Speicherstadt, and catamaran crossings to Helgoland. Past them, the group trudged behind the "Follow me" sign to the first aha moment of the evening: down the narrow stairs and large conveyor cages into the Old Elbe Tunnel.
Four elevator cages transport pedestrians and cyclists into the architectural masterpiece, opened in 1911, more than 24 meters beneath the Elbe. Until 2019, cars were still transported up and down here; now, the "Old Elbe Tunnel" is reserved for cyclists and pedestrians.
The harbor, the lights, the longing accompany the ship out into the distance.
The Elbe Tunnel was originally built to connect the large shipyards on Steinwerder, such as Blohm+Voss, AG Vulcan, or Reiherstieg.
At the end of the 19th century, thousands of harbor and shipyard workers had to be transported from one side of the Elbe to the other for shift changes. The ferries could no longer handle these crowds, they were too expensive for many workers, and in snow, ice, or storms, services often ceased entirely.
After a ten-minute walk through the tiled tunnel under the Elbe and another ride in the elevator cage, Hamburg revealed itself from another side: At Blohm+Voss, participants were greeted by a complete change of perspective on the Hamburg skyline and the architecturally imposing and stylish Elbphilharmonie.
Two Hamburg musicians with an accordion and a container booth with Astra beer created a lively atmosphere. The magnificent viewpoint was ideal for the group photo at DSTNCMP22.
Then it was back through the Elbe Tunnel with its fast-paced cyclists. The route beneath the shipping lane is the shortest connection between Steinwerder and St. Pauli, saving a detour of more than seven kilometers over the bridges.
The next 'aha moment' of the evening led the tourism professionals to the exclusive "Hafen-Klub" (Harbor Club) at the Landungsbrücken, with its two imposing dome towers. Here, an exquisite dinner was served, followed by sea shanties. "Käptn Alex und die Hamburger Jungs" (Captain Alex and the Hamburg Lads) encouraged some participants to sway and dance with rock 'n' roll, rocky shanties, and wild pirate songs.
The "Hafen-Klub" is in itself a members' club for leaders in the maritime industry. It was founded to create a place for Hamburg entrepreneurs to meet with their business associates from overseas.
The true scale of Hamburg's seaport only becomes apparent when viewing the large model, which can be admired in one of the two domes. It is walkable under glass in the floor. During the great storm surge of 1962, this location temporarily served as Helmut Schmidt's command center. In the other dome, the starry sky, by which sailors once navigated, is painted on the ceiling.
Take me with you, Captain, on the journey
While some delightedly followed the sounds of the Hamburg Lads, others strolled through the three levels of the Hafen-Klub and took in the views of the water, ships, and shipyards, the city, and the Elphi.
At 11 PM, hundreds of drones swayed in a magical dance for the Elphi's fifth anniversary and to the delight of the DSTNCMP participants, circling the city's architectural highlight.
And because Hamburg is full of new stories, some later also headed up to the Reeperbahn and enjoyed another chapter of Hamburg impressions.