OPENING DSTNCMP²¹

on July 07, 2021 by Wolfgang Weiler

Caution, potentially triggering content.

Caution, potentially triggering content! This may affect DSTNCMP participants and dedicated tourism professionals who wish to think ahead. Everything that follows could be a catalyst for putting theory into practice…

No sooner had Hamburg's second-largest cinema hall at CinemaxX filled up in accordance with COVID regulations than the intro from Pirates of the Caribbean faded out, and a warning triangle lit up on the giant screen at 6:31 PM on July 6, 2021. The 11th DSTNCMP in Hamburg was officially open.

CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE

Just one day before the start, the health authorities of the Hanseatic city had granted an exception permit for the in-person DSTNCMP²¹ under Corona conditions – instead of 100 people, 150 participants were allowed.

In the other halls of Hamburg's flagship cinema at Dammtor, Wonder Woman 1984, The Spy, or mystery and horror thrillers flickered across the screens. In Cinema 3, four brilliant artists from Hamburg's improv theater "Hidden Shakespeare" captivated the audience in front of the screen with stories and poems, wordplay, and changes of perspective.

Participants were treated to cinema-appropriate refreshments: popcorn, sustainable DSTNCMP²¹ beverages from Allgäuer Alpenwasser, and "thrown" ice confectionery as a short break refreshment.

Successful start despite expanded Corona rules

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

The program, locations, and conference schedule were once again adapted by the organizing netzvitamine GmbH right up to the last hour to the Corona rules applicable in Hamburg and additionally imposed in the exception permit. The venue for the DSTNCMP is the five-star hotel "Grand Elysée", located just a few minutes' walk from CinemaxX and Dammtor train station, the largest conference hotel in the Hanseatic city and a multi-award-winning event location.

Chief organizer Benjamin Buhl, one of the three managing directors of netzvitamine GmbH, first had to familiarize the crew, moderators, and companions, and then talk show host Bernhard Lingg later that evening, all attendees in the cinema hall with the latest rules: body temperature measurement, daily rapid tests for all unvaccinated or recovered individuals, permanent FFP2 mask requirement in all buildings and during sessions, and checking in and out with the Corona-Warn-App at every location change. Additionally, all participants received a nourishing disinfectant gel upon arrival as a DSTNCMP edition – produced by the renowned Bahnhof-Apotheke in Kempten.

New Structure: 8 thematic tracks, 40 sessions

Even the cinematic presentation of the 10 partners with the German voices of Bruce Willis and Robert Redford was a grand cinematic experience. But also how Bruce, from off-screen, asked all the moderators:

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

This year, the 8 thematic tracks were presented by the companions. In 5 sessions each, participants aim to explore current issues in German-speaking tourism until Thursday. Due to Corona regulations, everyone must choose one of the thematic tracks – and the number of seats in each session room is strictly limited. Session hopping is prohibited by the regulations. First come, first served.

Exquisite Dinner

In the silberstern-Arena, the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Elysée Hotel, after returning from CinemaxX, Ceviche of silver salmon and white halibut or beetroot awaited, along with dry-aged Sirloin US Prime Beef or green pumpkin with potato-truffle mash, and to finish, a small soup of grilled pineapple with iced mint.

At 11 PM, alcohol service ended in accordance with Corona regulations. But long after midnight, some were still sitting and discussing how early they would have to queue for which thematic track...