Prevue September-October 2016 - 65

Credit: David von Becker Berlin An explosion of cultural venues and cuisine await groups [ON LOCATION] LAUREL HERMAN AND GRISEL DIAZ-ORS B erlin offers meeting planners a wide array of cultural venues that are infused with so many creative options your head will spin with inspiration. Add in the top-rated dining venues (we have some top picks for you) and a wide array of hotel choices (approximately 200 in the 4- and 5-star category alone), and it's easy to see why Berlin is a planners' paradise. Berlin is also known for its value as a top meeting and convention city in Europe. "Berlin is not only home to one of the most modern hotel landscapes in Europe, the city has also numerous unique venues and offers the perfect place for any event," says Heike Mahmoud, director of conventions for visitBerlin. "The welldeveloped network of hotels, venues and service providers guarantee excellent service and good value for money." When looking for cultural venues in Berlin, you might be overwhelmed at first. There are 170 Museums in the city. However, if you need assistance, contact specialist Barbara Brockstedt from Museum & Location, an organization that can arrange meetings and events at 16 Berlin National Museums, including the world famous the Bode-Museum and Neues Museum at Museum Island. She will help you pick the right venue for your group with the added bonus of 100 percent of the proceeds going toward museum exhibition projects. Brockstedt is passionate about how important art is in the fabric of our lives and how it can help individuals spur creative thinking. "The history and architecture and art in museums inspires people and gives them the edge for creativity," she says. "Everyone has an individual emotional reaction to a work of art. To exchange personal experiences in a vivid dialogue can be a stimulating perception-this curiosity is also teaching us tolerance." MUSEUM VENUES We visited eight different venues during our visit; two of the eight were among the five museums at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Museum Island. First of the Museum Island choices is the Neues Museum, which houses the Egyptian and Papyrus collection, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. Built in the mid19th century, the building was spectacularly repaired by architect David Chipperfield from WWII remnants with a modern flair. The juxtaposition of the old and new is stunning. The foyer area can host exclusive dinners for up to 50 and receptions up to 100 on two different levels. As events would take place after the museum closes, groups will also get an opportunity to view the collection exclusively. We were mesmerized by the awe-inspiring bust of Nefertiti, singularly set on its own in a domed room with natural light shining down from a skylight. The baroque Bode-Museum was completed in 1904. Here, groups of up to 200 can be wowed by the feeling of being in a Renaissance church in the Basilicas room. Right before the Basilica room is the Grand Dome hall, which can handle a reception for up to 300 people. Brockstedt can also book the Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Art, formerly a late-19th century prevuemeetings.com | 65 http://www.prevuemeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue September-October 2016