Business in Germany

The Centre for Business in East WestphaliaLippe

Dr. Oetker! When you think of Bielefeld, you have an instant appetite for his desserts and pizzas. The city is also synonymous with DSC Arminia Bielefeld football club and mediaeval Sparrenburg Castle (one of the top 20 favourite attractions for German tourists). And the town at the Teutoburg Forest has a lot more to offer: an attractive combination of dynamic urban life and picturesque surroundings – that is Bielefeld with its more than 330,00 inhabitants.
Even before the foundation of the town many trading routes met in Bielefeld. It is no surprise, therefore, that Bielefeld was established in 1214 as a merchant town. Ornate gables on imposing Patrician houses in the heart of the old town around the Old Market Square still bear witness to Bielefeld’s trading traditions.

Companies of World Renown
Many companies rich in tradition and of world renown provide impressive evidence of Bielefeld as a prime business location. The origins of the town’s economic development are based on linen. During the period of Industrialisation, the textiles and clothing industries and mechanical engineering raised Bielefeld to prominence. International companies from the food and consumables sectors, printing and clothing, the construction industry and mechanical engineering are based in Bielefeld. Names like Dr. Oetker, Seidensticker, Gundlach. Delius-Klasing, Dürkopp, Windsor, Gildemeister, Schüco, Goldbeck, JAB Anstoetz, Ritex, Dr. Wolff and Alcina are representative of the wide range of economic activities. Wholesale co-operatives and associations such as KATAG, EK Großeinkauf, Beauty Alliance, the furniture acquisition group VME, or parmapharm turn over thousands of millions of Euros in the large town at the Teutoburg Forest. 

 

Knowledge brings Insight
Business and education work in close co-operation in Bielefeld.
Bielefeld University and the University of Applied Sciences stand out with world-wide research activities and national pilot projects. The Faculty for Health Studies is unique in any German-speaking country. The College of Theology at Bethel is – appropriately for the “European Capital of Community Care” – the oldest-established Protestant college in Germany. The university town of Bielefeld is shaped by eight higher education institutions with around 30,000 students and more than 1,300 academic staff: an important economic factor, but also an invaluable contribution to the development and future of the town. The Bielefeld Science Award first presented in 2004 honours the highest achievements in academic research by focussing on interdisciplinary work like that undertaken by the outstanding Bielefeld sociologist Niklas Luhmann.

To The USA and Back
Bielefeld’s qualities as a location in a region with more than 2 million inhabitants are equally appreciated for businesses and education and by those looking for the perfect conference destination. Is it the optimal combination of short distances, or achievement of quality and competence? Why do the world’s leading experts in epilepsy research regularly meet in Bielefeld and Cleveland/USA in alternate years? The town is also host to an international biennial symposium for librarians from 30 countries, the largest conference of its kind in Europe. Veterinary surgeons and nurses meet annually at the Stadthalle Bielefeld for an update on the latest developments in their field. Once in Bielefeld – always in Bielefeld? Not in every case, though event organisers and participants are very often pleasantly surprised at what the town has to offer.

Sophisticated Understatement
One of the reasons for Bielefeld’s appeal could be the fact that its inhabitants do not need to boast about the assets of their home town. Bielefeld is liveable and loveable – modern, attractive and exciting – a fact the EastWestphalians have kept secret for years. When you ask about it, they gladly show what they can do: a glimpse behind the scenes of innovative environment technologies, the production of the latest hair shampoos linked with doping in sports, and into the world of the finest cloths and sweet indulgences  -  the Bielefeld Kongressbüro convention office of Bielefeld Marketing GmbH makes it all possible. The Bielefeld Kongressbüro should be involved in the planning for any event. It can provide the latest tips for your choice of venue: modern and multi-functional (like the Stadthalle or Seidensticker Halle), in a historic ambience (like the Ravensberg Park or the Ringlokschuppen), with a cultural background (at the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle and the many museums and theatres) or with a more intimate atmosphere in a range of conference hotels.

Interested? Further information on Bielefeld, the region and  conference locations:

Bielefeld Marketing GmbH
Kongressbüro
Willy-Brandt-Platz 2
33602 Bielefeld
Tel. (05 21)51 60 99
Fax. (05 21)51 61 63
Email kongressbuero@bielefeld-marketing.de

For a quick source of information, the internet is well worth a visit: www.bielefeld.de or www.bielefeld-marketing.de