be Berlin

Berlin gains in international renown

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:25:00 +0100

Berlin continues to be perceived worldwide as the city that saw the fall of the Wall and the start of Germany’s reunification. But it is increasingly regarded also as a location for business and industry, as an attractive place to live and work. The German capital is appreciated for its academic landscape, the arts and culture to be found here. People spontaneously associate Berlin with a good research landscape, innovative companies and innovative products. And for most of the respondents, the emotions associated with the city are positive.

These are the results of an international measurement of Berlin’s image performed by the market research institute TNS Infratest for the be Berlin image campaign. Today, the survey was presented by the Spokesman of the Berlin Senate, Dr. Richard Meng, and Michael Ehlting, one of the authors of the TNS Infratest report. 1,510 executives working in the economic sector and (to a lesser degree) in academia and culture were polled. The respondents were from 21 cities in twelve countries (Great Britain, France, Turkey, Spain, Denmark, Japan, China, India, Brazil, the United States, Australia and Russia). The survey was performed using an internet questionnaire submitted to the respondents between mid-November and mid-December of 2010. This method, which is the international standard for economic surveys of this type, allows significant trends to be identified regarding the image of a location and qualitative statements to be made.

As the Spokesman of the Berlin Senate, Dr. Richard Meng, put it, “Berlin is increasingly being perceived internationally as an economic hub. This survey proves that we have been able to anchor the strengths of Berlin in the awareness of international elites. And they are very familiar with the positive economic development Berlin has undergone as compared to the cities in which they live and work.” Michael Ehlting of TNS Infratest added, “The report is based on carefully selected samples. It provides us with important qualitative assessments of the image of Berlin and illuminates the strengths and weaknesses of the German capital.”

While globally, New York and London continue to be ahead, the image of Berlin has significantly and consistently improved as compared to its ranking in 2007. Thus, the answer to the question of whether respondents could imagine living and working in Berlin has changed dramatically. While in 2007 only 32 percent of respondents in London could conceive of working in Berlin, this number has increased to 55 percent three years later. In Paris, the number increased from 38 percent to 72 percent, and in New York City from 22 percent to 49 percent.

In this context, it became apparent that interest in Berlin and its economy is highest in emerging countries. The vast majority of the Chinese and Indian executives polled (94% and 88%, respectively) could well see themselves living and working in the German capital. Managers and entrepreneurs in all twelve countries cited as Berlin’s advantages the traffic infrastructure and connections available in the city, followed by the quality of life in Berlin, its recreational areas and parks and the proximity to science and research institutions.

Respondents asked about where they would prefer to establish or relocate an enterprise strongly considered Berlin. Every tenth respondent in Denmark and Russia named Berlin when asked which large city they would prefer. For Russian executives, only London and New York are more attractive economic hubs. For respondents living in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul, Berlin took fourth place, ranking ahead of Paris and London, for example.

Notwithstanding, many of the respondents also see a need for Berlin to catch up. When asked “Which fields should Berlin develop more strongly”, most respondents (41%) cited “the economy”, followed by “tourism” (27%), “science” (25%), “the arts/culture” (22%) and “center of political power” (16%). As before, people are interested in obtaining more information about Berlin. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) want to know more about Berlin as an economic hub, are interested in the arts and culture (45%), and a third (34%) would like to have more information for tourists. Summary of the study’s findings:

- As compared to the cities in which the respondents live, the traffic infrastructure, quality of life, parks as well

as the science and research landscape are viewed in a particularly positive light.
- Nine out of ten respondents associate positive emotions with the German capital.
- Seven out of ten can imagine living and working in Berlin.
- Nearly half (42%) can even conceive of opening a location in Berlin in the course of the next five years.
- “The economy” is the development perspective of Berlin cited most frequently by respondents.

For more information and a summary of the survey, please log onto our website at:

http://www.berlin-partner.de/studien

Berlin Days in China Draws to a Close

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:13:00 +0200

Berlin-Based Companies Establish Contacts in China
Businessmen and politicians from Berlin who traveled to China for a series of events coinciding with the EXPO 2010 have hailed their trip a resounding success. Many business contacts were established during investment and business conferences held in Shanghai and Shenzhen as part of 'Berlin Days in China'. The German delegation included representatives from 25 Berlin-based companies in the energy, traffic and transport, water, and creative industries.

The trip ended on Thursday with an economic conference in Shenzhen organized by the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the German Chamber of Foreign Trade in China. Some 250 delegates from companies in the Pearl River delta participated in the event, which was entitled 'Business Know-How for Sustainable Urban Environments – Experiences from Berlin and Shenzhen'. The companies from Berlin held approximately 500 direct talks with potential Chinese business partners. Berlin Mayor and Economics Senator Harald Wolf also met Chinese businessmen interested in investing in Berlin, representatives of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China, and the municipal authorities of Shijiazhuang and Shenzhen. Senator Wolf: "We are keen to establish viable long-term contacts between the Berlin economy and China at every level. This trip to China has brought this objective a step closer."

The Berlin Days in China were launched at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai and included an evening reception with Senator Wolf and a concert combining traditional Chinese music and Berlin hip-hop under the title 'Young Euro Classic Meets Hip Hop Stützpunkt'. The finale of the Berlin Days in China was the opening of the exhibition 'Close Your Eyes and See' staged by the Berlin Senate Urban Planning Department and Berlin Technical University on the EXPO site in Shanghai.

Further information: http://www.be.berlin.de/berlindays

Trade Delegation Traveling to Shanghai and Shenzhen: Berlin Days in China

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:47:00 +0200

Berlin will be attending the EXPO 2010 world's fair in Shanghai, where it will emphasize the fact that the German capital is a multifaceted, innovative, and durable metropolis spawning everything from classical music to hip-hop, design to environmental technology, large-scale residential housing to art exhibitions. From May 31 to June 5 this year, the be Berlin capital city marketing campaign will present Berlin Days in China in Shanghai and Shenzhen under the motto 'The Future is Made in Berlin.'

Berlin Mayor and Senator for Economics, Technology, and Women's Affairs Harald Wolf will head the 50-member trade delegation traveling to the two Chinese cities. On June 5, Mayor and Urban Planning Senator Ingeborg Junge-Reyer is due to officially open the 'Close Your Eyes and See' exhibition at the EXPO's German Pavilion.

The trip is being organized jointly by Berlin Partner, the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the International Design Centre (IDZ). Berlin Partner is also staging a conference in Shanghai designed to attract investors to Berlin. In Shenzhen the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce will host a trade conference at which it is hoped Berlin companies traveling with the delegation can establish contacts with Chinese partners.

Berlin Days in China will be launched by Senator Harald Wolf with an investors' conference in Shanghai on May 31. Shortly thereafter, the Berlin Square will be unveiled on the EXPO grounds. This open-air stage will then treat visitors to fashion and design, live bands, DJs and performances until June 5. This event is being put together by Berlin-based creative network Create Berlin.

Days three and four of the Berlin Days will be held in Shenzhen, a city of 12 million inhabitants in the Pearl River Delta. The program of scheduled events there will include a reception and an economic conference focusing on energy, traffic, water, and the creative sector. Berlin Days in China will then return to the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, where they will end with the official opening of the 'Close Your Eyes and See' exhibition at the German pavilion by Mayor and Senator Ingeborg Junge-Reyer. The installation will enable visitors to feel, hear, and see Berlin's trademarks. Senator Ingeborg Junge-Reyer says of the exhibition, "Berlin is surprising. Berlin is durable. It is this that we want the Berlin Days in China to convey to a wide audience. Visitors to the EXPO 2010 will be able to experience this not only through our exhibition, but also by coming to Berlin, which we warmly invite them to do, for instance to the city's historic Märkische Viertel." The energetic renovation of the Märkische Viertel will be on display at the Chinese 'Urban Planet' pavilion at the EXPO.

Senator Harald Wolf adds, "We hope that the delegation's trip to China will open doors to this growth market for companies in Berlin. Design and environmental technologies from Berlin have a good chance of success in China. The delegation includes both companies with many years of successful corporate relations with the region and those that are keen to enter the market."

Berlin Partner Managing Director René Gurka says, "Berlin is innovative, creative and constantly on the move. Berlin has many companies that offer promising products. That is why we chose the confident motto 'The Future is Made in Berlin.'"

Jan Eder, the managing director of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, says, "The volume of trade between the Berlin economy and China has almost quadrupled since the year 2000. China will move into the top five sales markets for Berlin this year, so it is extremely important for our city. This trip is designed to give companies in Berlin an opportunity to secure contracts and find business partners for their projects."

Further information about the Berlin Days in China, including the complete program of events, can be found at the following address:

www.be.berlin.de/berlindays

"Berlin Days" in Brussels

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:09:00 +0100

The be Berlin capital city advertising campaign is set to bring its international tour to a close with a visit to Brussels from November 17-19, 2009. The program will focus on the themes of film, contemporary history and design.

The Berlin Days in Brussels will get underway with a film night. On November 17th, be Berlin will screen the film IN BERLIN by Michael Ballhaus and Ciro Capellari at the Goethe Institute.

The motto of events on November 18 will be “A European Success Story – Berlin, City of Change.” Berlin State Secretary Monika Helbig, who is the European representative of the State of Berlin, will hand over one of the 1000 “Mauersteine” (“Wall dominoes”) that symbolize the fall of the Wall on November 9 to Brussels’ mayor Freddy Thieleman. A symposium featuring historical eyewitnesses and including Walter Momper, president of Berlin’s house of representatives, and EU commissioner László Kovács, will discuss the topic “20 Years After the Wall: How has Europe benefitted Berlin and how has Berlin benefited Europe?”

The Berlin Days in Brussels will end on November 19 with a symposium on the creative industries. Designers and experts from both cities will discuss the theme of “Designing Europe: The Creative Industries as an Engine of Growth.”

As Berlin‘s governing mayor, Klaus Wowereit, notes: “The Peaceful Revolution in the GDR and the fall of the Berlin Wall twenty years ago had a profound effect on our city. The Berlin Days in Brussels are an important element of Berlin’s activities as part the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.”

To view the program schedule of the “Berlin Days in Copenhagen”, please visit:
http://www.be.berlin.de/en/berlin-on-tour/brussels/

For more information on the be Berlin capital city campaign, please visit:

http://www.be.berlin.de

Moden af i morgen

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:23:00 +0200

Berlingske Tidende

Berlin Days i København

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:18:00 +0200

Han vandt T-shirten

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:24:00 +0200

Berlin kommer til København

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:26:00 +0200

“Berlin Days” in Copenhagen: be Berlin Set to Visit the Danish Capital

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:55:00 +0200

From August 28 to 30, 2009, the be Berlin capital city marketing campaign will be making a stop in Copenhagen. Berlin’s governing mayor, Klaus Wowereit, will officially open the “Berlin Days,” which are designed as a celebration of fashion, film and music from the German capital. After already making stops in New York and Istanbul, the campaign’s visit to Copenhagen is designed to showcase Berlin as an open, culturally diverse and ecologically advanced metropolis that has undergone a fundamental transformation in the twenty years since the fall of the Wall.

For Berlin and Berliners, Copenhagen is a gateway to Northern Europe and a city of tremendous economic and political importance. The cultural relationship between the two major cities is also extremely close. Roughly one third of all Danish artists – almost 300 men and women – live in Berlin. In fact, Danes themselves have often been known to remark that Berlin is the art capital of Denmark.

As Mayor Wowereit notes: “We’re making a very conscious effort to take our be Berlin campaign and the ‘Berlin Days’ to our closest neighbors. Berlin and Copenhagen – and also Berlin and Denmark – have been good friends for a long time. We enjoy creative and constructive connections in the fields of fashion, film and music, and we’re eager to showcase this close relationship by celebrating our “Berlin Days” in Copenhagen.”

One of the highlights of the “Berlin Days” is the “Bricks to Berlin” event coordinated by be Berlin and Kulturprojekte GmbH. All Copenhageners are invited to inscribe their personal message to Berlin on a 2.5 meter Styrofoam wall. On November 9, 2009, these “bricks” will be joined together with those created at the campaign’s stops in New York and Istanbul – as well as with roughly 1,000 other “bricks” – to form a wall that will be symbolically torn down as part of the celebrations surrounding the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

Yet another focus of the “Berlin Days” in Copenhagen will be a topic that especially unites the two cities: fashion. The Berlin-based design network CREATE BERLIN and the Copenhagen Creative Forum are will present the visions of Berlin and Copenhagen designers with respect to ecological and sustainable fashion at two shows on August 28. Their designs and creations are the results of a joint project entitled “next vision: bright green fashion,” whose goal is to support and encourage cooperation among Danish and Berlin-based designers in the field of sustainable fashion.

Among the Berlin labels making the trip to Copenhagen are Esther Perbandt, Magdalena Schaffrin, Tarané Hoock, Friederike von Wedel-Parlow and Julia Knüpfer. Representing Denmark are the designers Trine Wackerhausen-Christensen, Jean-Philip Dyeremose, Vibe Harsløf, Vilsbøl de Arce and Barbara í Gongini. Mayor Wowereit from Berlin will join his counterpart in Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard, to officially open the first fashion show of the evening.

As Ares Kalandides, board member at CREATE BERLIN and managing director of Inpolis GmbH notes: “Fashion – and sustainable fashion in particular – is an important global theme. We initiated this get-together of Berlin and Danish designers so that they could exchange ideas and experiences and also meet with business experts to discuss marketing strategies and other opportunities.”

On Saturday, be Berlin will also show excerpts from “24 h Berlin,” a unique an innovative documentary chronicling 24 hours in the life of Berliners that will have its official, full-length broadcast on September 5. After the screening, guests will be invited to join the be Berlin “club night” and dance to the beats of Gunnar Stiller and other German DJs.

To view the program schedule of the “Berlin Days in Copenhagen”, please visit:
http://www.be.berlin.de/en/berlin-on-tour/copenhagen/

To register for each individual event, please visit:

http://www.be.berlin.de/en/berlin-on-tour/copenhagen/registration/

For more information on the be Berlin capital city campaign, please visit:

http://www.be.berlin.de

Wowereit Kicks Off “Berlin Days in Istanbul”

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:48:00 +0200

The Press and Information Office of the State of Berlin has issued the following statement:

On June 18, 2009, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, joined his counterpart in Istanbul, Mr. Kadir Topbaş, to officially open the “Berlin Days in Istanbul.” The festivities got underway with an event entitled “Your Message for Berlin – Stories with a Domino Effect” at the Istanbul Modern Museum. As part of the event, residents of the Turkish capital are invited to inscribe their own personal messages on huge, domino-like pieces of Styrofoam. On November 9, 2009, as part of the celebrations surrounding the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall, these “dominos” will form a wall that will be torn down in a symbolic gesture in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

During the “Berlin Days” in Berlin’s Turkish sister city, Germany’s capital will be showcasing its own culture, business, art, music and lifestyle with the help of Berlin-based entrepreneurs and artists from the fields of business and culture. The “Berlin Days in Istanbul” are just one part of the “be Berlin” capital city advertising campaign and its catchphrase “the place to be.”

Mayor Wowereit’s visit to the Turkish capital from June 18-21, 2009 is designed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin-Istanbul sister-city relationship.

As Berlin’s mayor noted: “Berlin and Istanbul have much in common. Both cities are vibrant and open metropolises, and both are distinguished by cultural diversity and a dynamic economic environment. I’m sure that the “Berlin Days in Istanbul” will generate many important ideas and much inspiration for the ongoing cooperation between our cities. As Berlin is home to the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey, the German capital is predestined to perform a major role in a lively German-Turkish partnership.”

Among the main focuses of the “Berlin Days in Istanbul” are the Renewable Energies Conference on Friday, June 19, 2009 featuring representatives of companies from both capitals, as well as a number of cultural events, including the Young Euro Classic concert by the Berlin-Istanbul Youth Orchestra, several exhibition openings, the “Civil Societies in Berlin and Istanbul” network conference and, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, the film event “Transformance of the Festival Beyond Belonging III Almanciv – Deutschländer!” and the Berlin Club Night.

The Berlin Days in Istanbul are part of the “be Berlin” capital city advertising campaign’s goal of showcasing the German capital on an international level as “the place to be.” Twenty years after the fall of the Wall, the events are designed to inspire further curiosity in Berlin and demonstrate the extent to which the city has changed in the past two decades. The “Berlin Days” have been on an international tour since April as part of an effort to highlight the culture, business, art music and lifestyle of the German capital. The organizer of the “be Berlin” campaign is Berlin’s city marketing and business development company, Berlin Partner GmbH. Among their partners are Berlin Tourism Marketing GmbH, the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Kulturprojekte Berlin GmbH, the Ballhaus Naunynstrasse Berlin and Berlin’s Akademie der Künste (Academy of Arts).

For further information, please visit the following:

Website highlighting the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship
http://www.berlinistanbul2009.org/

Berlin-Istanbul Sister-city Partnership http://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/staedteverbindungen/istanbul.de.html