Newsletter 3-2004, September 1

Location Report: Autostadt Wolfsburg - Meet and Experience the Fascination of Motoring

Or – why we want to buy a VW soon.

So what do people in general know about Wolfsburg? Exactly. That's where they build VWs. Full stop.

We were a bit better informed and knew about Autostadt, the Car City, as well. There you can collect your purchased and long awaited VW, and you can even stage meetings there. With these – admittedly not very great - expectations we travelled by ICE from Frankfurt and arrived at the ICE station in Wolfsburg.

It was very easy to reach the Autostadt from the station: Firstly, you could already see the buildings and bridge from the train. Secondly, we only had to follow all those people armed with blue Autostadt bags. (Everybody who collects their own VW gets such a bag.)

On the way to Autostadt's big glass reception hall two things made us curious and we definitely had to explore them later. A VW Touareg was struggling across a rough terrain with water, seesaws and other obstacles and there were lots of colourful mini-Beetles on a special track.

Once we reached the HQ, we joined a guided theme tour to explore the premises and satisfy our curiosity about what we had just seen. Our highly professional and charming tour guide took us safely through the huge complex.

The park-like premises features various pavilions representing the car brands that belong to VW (AUDI, Skoda, Lamborghini, Seat, etc.). Both the architecture and presentation of the brands are impressive and highly distinctive. The pavilions are rounded off by the group HQ, which also houses the reception area, and a time museum. This is definitely not to be missed! Alongside the history of motoring with extraordinary material, you can marvel at and admire cars from all periods of motoring history.

But Autostadt boasts more than just cars. You can also experience driving a VW first-hand. And for kids there are mini Beetles in which they can obtain a children's driving licence. The toys for grown-up guests are bigger. You can sign up for a safety training with professional instructors or go for a cross-country ride in the already mentioned VW Touareg.

In seven different on-site cafés and restaurants you can fortify yourself for all events with everything from typical VW factory curry sausages through American steaks to pizzas.

The range of meeting and event options is just as manifold and the venues are just as fascinating as Autostadt itself. The HQ meeting rooms combine modern facilities with a pleasant architecture. The glass entrance hall can be booked for events. You can organise cocktail receptions in virtually all of the pavilions and in the time museum. There are some extraordinary rooms in the old power station and an auditorium in the VW plant itself.

The offerings are rounded off by the 5-star Ritz Carlton Hotel. Built in a semicircle, it fits in with Autostadt's architecture. The hotel also has meeting rooms, a gym with excellent facilities and a spa area, a gourmet restaurant and, of course, Ritz Carlton's outstanding service.

So, if you ask us about Wolfsburg now, we can again only say one thing – you've simply got to buy a VW, so you can go and collect it and see Autostadt for yourself.

It's easier for meeting planners: Just organise your next corporate event, meeting or incentive in Autostadt. It's really worthwhile both for you and your participants.

Information and contact:
Ms. Christiane Jaensch, +49 5361 401427, e-mail: christiane.jaensch@autostadt.de, http://www.autostadt.de/

You will find a list of all meeting facilities on the location list of our GCB website, this September's incentive features the local activities.