The pearl of the Bavarian Forest, located on the south slope of the Grosser Arber at 4,750, Bodenmais is ringed by wonderful high forests and with 85 miles of hiking paths, the destination’s sheltered location makes for year-round events. It’s in equal measure a place of modern incentive opportunities with high end spas and golf courses, and a place that wears its tradition boldly on its sleeve.
Incentive options and social programme opportunities can be found at several locations demonstrating typical Bavarian lifestyle. Sebastian von Zülow at Herrgottsschnitzer von Bodenmais presents a showcase of the region’s finest wood carvings. Or for those who would prefer a different creative medium, JOSKA Kristallwelt provides an insight into the glass blowing tradition of Bavarian Forest, giving people an opportunity to try glass blowing for themselves. The company is responsible for providing beautiful glass trophies and to see craft mastered to such a high level is an inspiring thing to do.
A short drive from Bodenmais lies Bad Griesbach, which brings with it several meeting opportunities, none more grand in their scale then a turn at the local, and enormous, Golfodrom golf course. Not far from the golf course is Hotel Fürstenhof, part of the Hartl Resort, and purportedly the largest golf and thermal health and beauty spa resort in Europe. Post-conference hours can be whiled away here, or for those fortunate enough to be removed from the business entirely, it’s ideal for partner programmes.
Bavaria’s brewing capital
Munich in the Autumn is of course famous for one event in particular. It’s at this time each year that a celebration of the region’s local breweries explodes in an act of alcoholic indulgence that has made it one of Germany’s most marketable festivals. Oktoberfest, the 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October, is attended by more than six million people from around the world every year. The huge gathering of thousands of revellers singing, dancing and never without a stein of local beer in hand, is a hugely popular cultural event.
It’s also a fine opportunity to bring your teams together for an incentive, or to bring your local conference to a close in style. Tents (a slightly misleading word to describe enormous temporary structures that house the revellers) such as the Schottenhamel tent in the centre of the festival area offers tables on the first floor, a mezzanine overlooking the main crowds that enables groups to share a meal and hear other speak. Just get to work early on establishing a reasonable hotel price.
Those looking for a place to stay can take advantage of several well appointed nearby hotels, such as the Maritim Hotel on Goethestrasse. Only ten minutes walk from the ground and slightly secluded from the street, this hotel makes a good base for local events, as well as Oktoberfest.
It’s also near to the Ratskeller restaurant, a popular pre-beer fest eating location and one in which you can find a wide range of local cuisine, with enough space to fit participants at a large business event.
The feeling of taking part in what is surely the world’s largest collective answer to the question ‘shall we go for a drink?’, makes for a strong shared experience. In spite of the assumption the event is for an overwhelmingly male audience of partially functioning alcoholics, a wider variety of revellers would be hard to find. For the most part sporting the traditional outfits: lederhosen for men and the dirndl for women, there is a wonderful feeling of inclusiveness at the event.
The celebration is a very Bavarian affair. Chicken, cabbage and chips for dinner, drinking songs such as the omnipresent beer-swilling anthem Ein Prosit, there is a strong feeling that despite being an outsider, you are taking part in a city’s very traditional celebration. It’s a very positive experience to share. Even moreso if you’re trying to instil a love of Germany, the Germans and their many colourful traditions.
The Bavarian reputation for hospitality is well-documented, and MICE custom is high on the agenda.
Lufthansa’s latest development has lift-off
Flying to Bavaria is easier than ever today, and carriers such as Lufthansa are leading the way. The airline’s new business and VIP lounge at London Heathrow international airport in the UK is the largest Lufthansa lounge outside Germany – the German carrier’s new UK base as of the beginning of October.
The lounge, which is more spacious than most single airline lounges, offers a good excuse to meet early and get together for a bite to eat or a drink.
At the other end of the flight, Munich airport too has recently undergone operational changes, such as the introduction of self-service passport control gates, and a clear channel for business-class patrons. It is also the world’s only airport with its own micro-brewery; Airbräu.
Lufthansa operates direct flights to Munich from London Heathrow (55 times a week), Manchester (20 times a week) and Birmingham (19 times a week) with fares starting from £99 return.
Fares include all taxes and charges, free luggage allowance (hand baggage and one checked bag up to 23kg), free check-in (with the possibility to check-in on-line up to 23 hours before flight departure or at the airport), complimentary snacks and drinks on board (including beer and wine) plus the opportunity to collect miles with Europe’s largest airline loyalty programme, Miles & More.
This was first published in issue 78 of CMW. Any comments? Email Zoe Vernor
