News
The conference industry in Freiburg develops constantly and never stands still. From new events that will take place in Freiburg to the opening of new hotels and locations to practical information from the conference business - we have put together the news for you.
You can read current information as well as press releases here.
where you can find us
London Destination Showcase
On January 22, 2026, we will meet British event planners at the London Destination Showcase and show why Freiburg, as a “hidden champion,” is a perfect alternative for MICE events.
Eventquadrat
From January 25-27, 2026, we will be in Munich at the industry event Eventquadrat – a platform for networking, exchange, and continuing education in the MICE industry.
IMEX Frankfurt
From May 19 to 21, 2026, we will be making lots of valuable contacts with potential MICE planners at the Germany stand in Frankfurt at IMEX. IMEX is the world's largest trade fair for the MICE industry.
M&I Healthcare in Brighton
Healthcare specialists and providers will meet in the UK from July 1-4, 2026. We will be there for the first time to join this exciting network for Freiburg.
IMEX America
We're heading west! From October 12–15, 2026, we will be at IMEX America at the German Pavilion in Las Vegas as part of the Germany stand! We look forward to making lots of great contacts again!
Austria meets Germany
At a Germany MICE Networking Event in Vienna on November 4, 2025, we will show that meetings of international associations are in good hands with us.
© FWTM Joos
MEET GERMANY Stuttgart
From November 4-5, 2026, we will meet with regional and national companies in Stuttgart.
IBTM Barcelona
From November 17 to 19, 2026, we will be at IBTM in Barcelona to showcase what Freiburg has to offer as a conference destination. With the help of our Spanish networker Cristina Jimena-Handel, we are ensuring that our destination is visible to Spanish MICE organizers in the Spanish MICE market.
You can meet us locally at our networking events FReiDENKEN or the Touristischer Stammtisch (touristic regulars' table).
FReiDENKEN x Wirtschaftsjunioren & macs – MICE meets Business
“Turning customers into fans – Emotional connection as a growth driver”
📅 February 4, 2026 | Networking event with 156 participants
As part of our FReiDENKEN series, we had the pleasure of experiencing a particularly inspiring networking event on February 4, 2026, together with the Freiburg Junior Chamber and the Marketing Club Südbaden macs. With a total of 156 participants, it once again became clear how great the interest is in forward-looking strategies for customer loyalty and brand management.
Insights & inspiration
The highlight of the evening was the keynote speech by Leif Steinbrinker, who used his FANOMICS® approach—turning customers and employees into fans—to impressively demonstrate why emotional attachment is the decisive lever for sustainable corporate success.
His central message:
👉 Satisfaction alone is not enough – true fans are the key to growth, recommendations, and long-term value creation.
It became clear that
- emotional attachment arises through identification, perceived uniqueness, and positive experiences.
- Companies must clearly focus their positioning, orchestrate customer experiences in a targeted manner, and consistently focus on relevant needs.
- Segment-specific work helps to develop differentiated customer relationships – from sympathizers to true fans.
- And crucially, employees and managers are the real “fan makers” – only those who create enthusiasm internally can also convey it to the outside world.
Fan instead of customer: the most important takeaways
Emotional attachment measurably increases added value and customer loyalty.
Every point of contact counts – it is not the quantity of experiences that is decisive, but how well they match core needs.
Clear values and attitudes form the basis for genuine identification – both among customers and employees.
Today, leadership means actively shaping culture and enthusiasm.
Exchange & atmosphere
In addition to the professional insights, the evening was primarily dedicated to networking between the MICE industry and the regional economy. The open atmosphere, many new contacts, and inspiring conversations made it clear how valuable this cross-industry format is.
The evening was accompanied by the usual excellent catering from Hermann Vetter and his team (Business Catering), which rounded off the exchange in a relaxed atmosphere.
Conclusion
The event clearly demonstrated that
if you want to be successful in the future, you need more than satisfied customers—you need fans.
FReiDENKEN thus remains a platform for new perspectives, bold ideas, and strong connections between business, marketing, and the events industry.