In mid-November, on the initiative of the music network sound of cologne, event organizers based in the city got together for the first time at an informal meeting in the new creative centre cc4711. The aim of the meeting, attended by around 20 representatives of Cologne’s event scene, was to gather information about the current requirements of event organizers in the city as the first step towards setting up a joint interest group.

The participants were unanimous that it was high time to get an initiative led by club operators and representatives of the free event organizer scene up and running in Cologne, modeled not least on similar networks in other German cities with a comparable cultural and event structure. The objectives behind the initiative include strengthening dialogue and knowledge transfer between the group’s members and improving communication with the authorities and institutions of the City of Cologne. The initiative is soon to be extended to club owners, and it is intended that the circle of participants widen as the project grows. It is also planned to link this working group with similar projects in other cities to facilitate supra-regional exchange on particular issues and problems.

The meeting’s attendees agreed that the following issues should be at the centre of the future initiative: where to turn for immediate help with acute problems (threatened closure, police or health and safety involvement, legal complaints etc.), information and knowledge exchange and expert professional development, and finally the long term improvement of Cologne’s club culture. The participants decided to set up a round table with representatives from the city’s authorities so as to create more transparency and understanding on both »sides«.

Contact:
sound of cologne
Alexandra Kinne
kinne@sound-of-cologne.com

More: www.sound-of-cologne.com