A solution for Koelnmesse

T-Systems' VOTES system (Visitor Orientated Ticketing and Entry System) manages all trade-fair processes from registration to entry access, simply and reliably.

The customer and his business.

Based in Cologne, Koelnmesse GmbH runs one of the most important international trade fairgrounds. The company has put the trade fairgrounds in Cologne in the number one slot for 25 industries by organizing globally leading trade fairs. The Koelnmesse Group’s about 70 events, which are conducted in various rotations, bring the product ranges of about 45,000 exhibiting companies from more than 120 countries together with the demand of over 2.2 million visitors from nearly 220 countries. Trade fairs such as the interior design fair “imm cologne”, the food and beverage trade fair “anuga” and the global photography and imaging trade fair “Photokina” are proof of Koelnmesse’s success. The company is active in over 80 countries with 11 subsidiaries and more than 600 employees.

The challenge: securing market leadership with new ideas

Like every trade fair company, Koelnmesse must deal with a large number of very different processes – administration, technical service and maintenance, building management and provision of buildings, as well as the core processes directly related to trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences, such as exhibitor and visitor services. In the past, it was not possible to integrate all of these individual processes into a more homogenous solution – this is where innovative ideas were needed. Initially, the trade fair company was only looking for a way to connect the cash desk and ticket booth systems to its existing SAP system®.
It also desired to have a new communications platform for improved networking of exhibitors and visitors.
The trade fair company explicitly asked its prospective partners to propose original, advanced solutions. The company additionally desired a partner who would be able to provide support in its efforts to market successful solutions in other segments and to other trade fair companies.

The benefits – win/win/win situation

Everybody wins with VOTES: the trade fair company, the exhibitors and the visitors. The trade fair company’s previously isolated processes are now integrated into a unified system. This not only saves time and money, but also gives the company a competitive edge by ensuring optimized, stress-free trade fair coordination for both exhibitors and visitors.
Exhibitors can access the data stored in VOTES directly from their booths – with data privacy restrictions, of course. This makes initiating and managing business contacts (leads) much easier and more reliable.
Visitors appreciate the convenience of being able to plan their trade fair visit from the comfort of their office or home via the e-shop. No more waiting in line at the ticket booth!
And T-Systems has also gained from this project: a reputation as a competent solution partner for trade fair companies; even more experience in the integration of complex business processes into comprehensive solutions; and a reference that will be interesting not only to trade fair companies, but also to similar enterprises such as amusement parks and museums.

At a glance.