Leipzig is booming. Saxony’s largest city is currently enjoying unprecedented growth. And there’s a simple explanation for this: everywhere you look, Leipzig is bursting with energy. It is not without reason that it is considered the fastest growing city in Germany.
Five reasons to plan a congress in Leipzig
By 2030, the city is expected to grow by 16 %, with the population increasing from 609,869 (2021) to more than 707,000. This is not least due to the integrated urban development concept, which builds on quality of life, social stability, internationality and economic competitiveness. The predominantly young population has creative drive and an innovative spirit, contributing to the regional economy’s higher growth figures and lowerunemployment. The charming city also boasts an unmistakeable tradition, a rich culture and a healthy dose of joie de vivre. An online survey by the Basel Institute of Commons and Economics confirms this: the people of Leipzig are a friendly and helpful bunch. Leipzig is becoming increasingly popular for conferences and congresses. Hundreds of thousands of visitors attend events organised by renowned players from the fields of medicine, science, research, business, politics and society, making Leipzig a hub for expert exchange. Here we show you five good reasons why Leipzig is the right choice for your next congress.
1. A magnet for international and national companies
Leipzig has dramatically increased its economic output since German reunification. From 2005 to 2020, employment growth rose by 35 % and an increasing number of national and international industries gained a foothold in the booming Saxon city. This is not least due to its strategically valuable location but also to its excellent connections to growth markets in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2021, Leipzig was home to 45,483 businesses, and the city’s annual economic growth of 1.49 % is well above the national average.
Despite the pandemic, interest in Leipzig as a business location is constant and the demand for commercial space unbroken. In fact, the last few years have seen even more young companies relocating here, while resident businesses have grown steadily.
Despite the pandemic, interest in Leipzig as a business location is constant and the demand for commercial space unbroken. In fact, the last few years have seen even more young companies relocating here, while resident businesses have grown steadily.
Which Leipzig companies stand for growth and sustainability?
The company has been a typical Leipzig success story since for 20 years. Since then, the sports car manufacturer has invested 1.3 billion euros in developing the site. In 2019, Porsche laid the foundation for further growth. The company is investing more than 600 million euros in the fifth expansion of the plant, and at the same time in transforming it into a centre of excellence for electromobility. New additions in recent months include a new body shop with a total area of 75,000 square metres. Porsche is thus setting an important course for the future of its site in Saxony and for the production of future models. Porsche currently produces the Macan and Panamera model series at its Leipzig plant.
BMW Group Plant Leipzig
The car manufacturer has been producing battery modules for the high-voltage batteries of electric vehicles since 2021. The company has already invested more than 100 million euros in its Leipzig site.
Dräxlmaier
The vehicle manufacturer is investing in e-mobility and building a state-of-the-art battery plant in the new Stahmeln business park. The company has been producing interior and electrical systems since 2004, and is driving growth at the Leipzig site with its new plant. The size and excellent track record of Leipzig’s automotive industry has proved to be a clear competitive advantage.
2. Big on emerging industries
With its cluster strategy, Leipzig is focusing on future-oriented industries with strong economic potential. Thanks to investments and the founding of new research institutes such as the Techpark Leipzig, the Center for Medicine Innovation and the Center for Climate Action, the region has developed infrastructure unlike anywhere else in Germany. The aim is to create additional incentives for more national and international companies to settle here. The automotive and supplier industry, health industry and biotechnology, energy and environmental technology, logistics as well as IT, media and creative industries have been driving the location’s strong growth for years.
Which major congresses have taken place in Leipzig in recent years?
36th annual conference of the German Obesity Society (DAG)
The 36th annual conference of the German Obesity Society (DAG) took place in 2020 in the traditional setting of the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig. The event focused on the themes of preventing and treating obesity.
Visceral Medicine 2021
Following a break due to the pandemic, the Visceral Medicine 2021 conference took place in the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) from 16 to 18 September 2021, with more than 4000 participants. The congress combined the annual meetings of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases with the Section for Gastroenterological Endoscopy (DGVS) and the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) and their working groups.
66th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research (GTH)
On 4 March 2022, the Annual Meeting of the Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research took place in the Congress Center Leipzig with 1000 participants. The organising and programme committee consisted of clinicians and scientists from Leipzig and Dresden who benefit from the comprehensive range of research on offer in the region.
3. Perfect opportunities to plan your congress in Leipzig
The congress initiative “Feel the spirit – do-it-at-leipzig.de” is a network of around 50 partners, comprising congress and event venues, conference hotels, service agencies, local PCOs and mobility partners. The network is committed to promoting Leipzig as a place to meet and supports conference planners, event agencies, associations, clubs and companies in the planning, organisation and implementation of events of all formats and sizes. Planners benefit from smooth and straightforward handling of all organisational challenges before their event. The congress initiative has an online service portal, with useful information about all providers and their services, and where specific requirements for the right offer, e.g. detailed information on room sizes, can be defined in advance. The portal also includes contact details for the respective providers.
Strong partner network and successful networking at conferences and events
Comprehensive capacities for conferences and congresses in Leipzig
The renovated Gründerzeit building of the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig offers 15 different halls and rooms as well as architecturally stylish foyers, which can be booked for events with between ten and 1200 participants.
Leipzig also has a large number of conference hotels that are specially designed to provide congress participants with a pleasant stay. The 124 establishments open to guests, including almost 80 hotels, currently offer some 19,732beds.
4. Excellent links and mobility on site
In order to further boost growth, the booming Saxon city has long focused on concepts for innovation in the areas of infrastructure, education, mobility and culture.
Leipzig just wouldn’t be Leipzig without its trams, which are a modern and climate-friendly way to get around. They have been a familiar sight in the city for some 150 years. Almost 300 trams on 13 lines carry Leipzig’s residents and guests to their destinations safely. A further 36 bus lines complete the network, which extends for around 319 kilometres. Over the years, tram electrification has been repeatedly modernised and kept in line with the latest technology. Today, around 81 % of the vehicles run on green electricity. One attractive service from Leipzig’s transport authority LVB is the Leipzig congress ticket. It includes the use of public transport not only before, during and after the event.
Leipzig just wouldn’t be Leipzig without its trams, which are a modern and climate-friendly way to get around. They have been a familiar sight in the city for some 150 years. Almost 300 trams on 13 lines carry Leipzig’s residents and guests to their destinations safely. A further 36 bus lines complete the network, which extends for around 319 kilometres. Over the years, tram electrification has been repeatedly modernised and kept in line with the latest technology. Today, around 81 % of the vehicles run on green electricity. One attractive service from Leipzig’s transport authority LVB is the Leipzig congress ticket. It includes the use of public transport not only before, during and after the event.
5. Leipzig is different
The city of Leipzig is a growing urban area that is often associated with self-confidence, youth, sustainability, an outward-looking spirit and cultural appeal. And it’s true that Leipzig has a diverse cultural scene that received around 150 million euros in funding in 2021. This is reflected in the wealth of attractions for visitors in Leipzig, which is known among other things as an internationally renowned city of music.
Besides the conventional beauties of bygone times, Leipzig is bursting with hidden, unique treasures, which are described in the guide Hidden Leipzig. So there are countless ways for organisers to make their congress days an unforgettable experience unlike anything else.
What are some of the cultural and recreational highlights in “Hidden Leipzig”?
Besides the conventional beauties of bygone times, Leipzig is bursting with hidden, unique treasures, which are described in the guide Hidden Leipzig. So there are countless ways for organisers to make their congress days an unforgettable experience unlike anything else.
What are some of the cultural and recreational highlights in “Hidden Leipzig”?
Floodplain forest: It’s not just the locals who love the smell of fresh wild garlic! Every year in April and May, visitors also enjoy a veritable explosion of smells in Leipzig’s beautiful Auwald (floodplain forest). With a total area of 5900 hectares, the floodplain extends from Zwenkau in the south to Saxony’s north-western border. Visitors can appreciate the green of the Auwald during a walk in the Rosental, Clara Zetkin Park or Johannapark. The fragrant flowers of the wild garlic plants are an unmissable spring highlight in Leipzig.
“Wackelturm” observation tower: An insider tip for nature lovers is the Wackelturm – an observation tower in Leipzig’s floodplain forest, located in the historic Rosental Park. At 20 metres high, the tower offers captivating views over the Leipzig skyline and the surrounding region. During a walk through the Rosental, you’ll also come across the “window” looking into Leipzig Zoo. Here you can marvel at giraffes and zebras from the African-themed part of the zoo.
MS Weltfrieden: Leipzig can be explored not just on foot, but also from the water. The ship MS Weltfrieden putters along the waterways and shows guests the impressive industrial architecture of western Leipzig. The tour on the Karl Heine Canal and the White Elster passes through idyllic urban areas. The nostalgic tours last 80 minutes and can be booked throughout the week.
Espresso Zack Zack: This coffee bar lets you indulge your passion for the little brown bean, especially Italian espresso, to your heart’s content. In addition to speciality coffees and delicious treats, there are also accessories for your home espresso machine and roasted coffee to take away.
Möckern Manor: This magnificent property is particularly suitable for culinary delights. The glorious manor house is nestled in sprawling grounds not far from Leipzig city centre. The impressive Hall of Mirrors, the beautiful roof terrace and the historic vaulted cellar are the perfect place for groups to take time out in style.
Leipzig’s extraordinary culinary landscape
In Leipzig city centre and the neighbouring streets, event organisers are spoilt for choice with over 1900 restaurants and cafés with around 85,000 seats. This year, the almost 10,000 restaurateurs and their employees are looking forward to finally being able to cater to their guests’ needs once again. Event organisers too can benefit from the huge range of places to dine. The beauty of Leipzig’s culinary scene can be enjoyed in historic buildings from the Renaissance, Baroque and Gründerzeit periods.
What are some gastronomic highlights for congress planners in Leipzig?
Restaurant Falco: The gourmet restaurant in the hotel The Westin Leipzig combines creative haute cuisine with fine wines and a breathtaking panoramic view across central Leipzig.
Ratskeller Leipzig: With this beer hall’s rustic ambience, those who prefer to dine and drink against a traditional backdrop from the early 20th century will feel particularly at home here. The RatskellerLeipzig is located in the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), which stands on the foundation walls of the old Pleißenburg.
Auerbachs Keller: This historic pub can be found tucked away right in the centre of Leipzig, beneath the Mädler-Passage. It has been the city’s most famous restaurant ever since it was mentioned in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s literary masterpiece Faust. At the same time, the pub, which has been in operation since 1525, is the second oldest in the city.
Restaurant Panorama Tower – Plate of Art: Visitors are in for a culinary treat here, in the highest restaurant in central Germany. The roof terrace is a particular highlight, promising sensational views over the city.
The congress team at Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH will be happy to assist you with planning and holding your event. You can expect the full range of services as well as customised offers – a hassle-free way to quickly plan and conduct your specific event. This includes advising on and arranging hotel room allotments, rooms for conferences, seminars and events, but also supporting programmes away from your event.One call away from your successful event
FAQ
Why is Leipzig a suitable location for your congress?
Attractive business and science hub
Great cultural scene
Wide selection of hotels, supplemented by a diverse range of events
Excellent links and mobility on site
Network of partners: do-it-at-leipzig.de
What is the capacity of the Congress Center Leipzig and Leipziger Messe?
The CCL offers space for 3700 people. Leipziger Messe can receive up to 15,000 visitors.
Which successful congresses have already taken place in Leipzig?
Visceral Medicine 2021
66th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research (GTH)
36th annual conference of the German Obesity Society (DAG)
International Transport Forum (ITF)
Leipzig Interventional Course (LINC)
62nd Annual Conference of the German Society of Phlebology
German Radiological Congress
DIVI (German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine)
DSAG (German-Speaking SAP User Group)
German Congress of Anaesthesia
Microsoft Partner Conference
72nd German Jurists Forum
Annual Conference of the German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
References are available on the CCL website.
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