CCB Magazine

What sustainability consultancies are there in Berlin? In Part XY of our series "Sustainability Consultancies in Berlin" we talk to Kyra Reiter from visitBerlin, who advises and networks international event organizers who are planning a sustainable event in Berlin.

INTERVIEW  Boris Messing    

CCB Magazine: How long has your consulting service been available and who is it aimed at?  

Kyra Reiter: We have two types of consulting services for different target groups: In 2019, we have already created a platform with which we support international event organizers who are planning an event in Berlin in matters of sustainability. Of course, Berlin-based event organizers can also take advantage of this consulting service. Since 2020, there has also been a Sustainable Partner Program specifically for Berlin-based companies from the tourism and events industry.

CCB Magazine:For the first program, can you specify the target group of event planners in more detail? Who is the target group for the consulting services?

Kyra Reiter:It is aimed at all event organizers who are planning an event in Berlin. Mostly, these are business events such as meetings, trade fairs, congresses, conferences, etc., but also events from the cultural and creative scene. If these organizers want to make their event more sustainable, then we are the right partner for them.

CCB Magazine:How do you specifically proceed in the consultations? 

Kyra Reiter:Together with the organizers, we look at their projects and identify starting points for a more sustainable implementation. We can often recommend companies from our Sustainable Partner Program. Since we have previously consulted them ourselves on the subject of sustainability, they have undergone a demanding certification process and we are particularly certain of their trustworthiness. These are Berlin-based companies that are certified to the internationally recognized standard of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Depending on the event, these can be catering companies, locations, technical service providers, etc. Organizers all over the world want to hold events in Berlin. Our Sustainable Partner Program offers the opportunity to connect our certified Berlin companies with these international event organizers. We also use the Sustainable Event Guidelines Berlin to provide guidance to event organizers. The goal is to advise them from the beginning on a more sustainable event concept. But we do not take on any operational tasks. For example, we make recommendations on how catering can reduce food waste. But we do not calculate for the companies how much food they need.

Our consulting program is aimed at event organizers worldwide who are planning a more sustainable event in Berlin. Mostly these are business events such as meetings, trade fairs, congresses or conferences, but also events from the cultural and creative scene

CCB Magazine:Can you describe a classic case? I am company XY from Peru and I want to get advice from you: What service do I get?

Kyra Reiter:For an initial overview, we recommend reading the Sustainable Event Guidelines. These provide a good basis on which we can go into detail together. The next step is to clarify basic questions about the event: Is there already a concrete date? Is there already a location? How big will the event be? Based on this data, we can work out a concept together. If there is a prospect of this, we recommend that you apply for funding from the Congress Fund and we will support you in this.

CCB Magazine:How often can one use your service? Does it cost anything?

Kyra Reiter:Our consultation is free of charge and can be used for as many events as you like.

CCB Magazine:How do you fund yourselves and how long is your project funded?

Kyra Reiter:This is a permanent service offered by the Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin.

CCB Magazine:How are you staffed? What are the professional backgrounds of your consultants?

Kyra Reiter:All team members have in-depth expertise in the field of event planning in Berlin. They bring their practical experience in the tourism and event sector to their work at visitBerlin. We have been advising event organizers on planning more sustainable events since 2019. Our consultants have been able to combine their knowledge of the industry with their qualifications in the field of sustainability during their several years of work. An example of a typical career would be a master's degree in "sustainability and quality management", which was preceded by a professional activity in event planning.

CCB Magazine:Do you have any other services or offerings for cultural professionals and/or creative businesses besides your consulting services?

Kyra Reiter:Through the Congress Fund, there is the opportunity to receive funding for more sustainable events. Cultural professionals and creative companies can also take advantage of free continuing education opportunities on the topic of sustainability on our e-learning platform TourismusHub. Here, in addition to video material, there are also regular workshops and lectures. visitBerlin also offers to include exhibitions, events, etc. in its calendar of events. An overview of all offers for cultural partners can be found at https://about.visitberlin.de/partner-der-kulturszene.

CCB Magazine:A concluding sentence, please: For us, sustainability means...

Kyra Reiter:...to set out on the road to becoming holistically sustainable. Together we want to make Berlin one of the most sustainable destinations!

Interested in more? Then read part 6 of the series Sustainability Consultations in Berlin about sustainability among music creators