German Business Awards 2020

28 EU BUSINESS NEWS / 2020 German Business Awards , Based in Dusseldorf, btl next GmbH is the sales armof the BTL Group and thus meets the modern requirements of the events industry. Following the firm’s well-deserved success in the German Business Awards 2020, we caught up withManus Cleven to find out more one of the best digital solutions providers operating in the industry today. Oct20869 Since the beginning, btl next GmbH has pushed limits for its partners and their customers, delivering high-quality creative content. Going into further detail, Manus begins by providing us with an overview of the firm, as well as offering us more of an insight into its typical client base. “As part of one of the most pioneering German event companies, we have focused even more on new digital influenced formats like hybrid, virtual and full digital events. Instead of only providing the typical event technology, btl-x develops new solutions like digital visitor analytics for trade fairs, congresses, and other events. The analytic tool called guestcount, allows a deep dive into customer behaviour with data usually just known from the digital world. However, now the real world can also be tracked with guest count. “Regarding the clientele we serve, our range includes DAX noted companies, medium-sized businesses and Nonprofit organisations. E.ON, Autodesk, Lenovo, Handelsblatt and NRW. Bank are just some of the names we deal with.” Competing in the German events industry can be a daunting prospect for some, however due to the firm’s meticulous client approach and the specialist knowledge of its team members, btl-x have managed to keep its closest rivals at bay, as Manus informs us. “Widely known for our start-to-end solutions, once we start, we always look for ways to improve events and/or solutions during the planning or on-site during the project. In most cases that ends in a little extra, which is also reflected in the logo as the x – stands for the exponent that we add. Additionally, for each project we assemble a team of experts for different requested trades, with these teams typically formed by experienced employees and foremen. By focusing on steady, continuing education of all our employees, we aim to further develop the huge network of nearly 500 skilled freelancers we have built over the last 35 years.” Like many others, COVID-19 has hugely disrupted the events industry but as Manus goes on to explain, by making a head start the firm were able to help its customers overcome their challenges during the pandemic. “At the beginning, we focused on hybrid and digital events that allowed our customers to do press conferences and annual general meetings, including votes that are legally watertight and enabled them to meet their needs of communication, internally and externally.” Looking ahead to what the future holds for btl next GmbH, Manus signs off by revealing some of the benefits of operating in North Rhine-Westphalia, before outlining some of the firm’s plans for 2021 and beyond. “North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populated part of Germany and has a strong and established economy. That is a huge plus especially in 2020, but not only that, Benelux and France are not far away, too. With branches in all major regions of Germany, while also operating in Austria and Switzerland, we are excited about the opportunities which lie ahead. “Naturally, we expect that COVID-19 will have a long-term impact on our core business. As a result, we expect that hybrid and digital events will be a common way for people to interact. With business travel remaining at a lower level compared to the pre-pandemic times, people have got used to digital solutions so we will be developing more innovative services and products for events in the near future.” Company: btl next GmbH Contact: Manus Cleven Web Address: www.btl-x.de Best Digital Solutions Provider 2020