Network and dialogue
The best ideas originate from working together; the association thrives on personal encounters and the sharing of knowledge. This is why the E/D/E continued to focus on maintaining a close and ongoing dialogue with its members and partners in 2023 – in one-to-one discussions, in numerous online formats and, last but not least, at industry-relevant events. This made 2023 the year in which more E/D/E events were held in person than in digital form for the first time since 2020.
The “E/D/E Branchentreff spezial” once again confirmed its importance as a valuable communication platform. In a concentrated form, the event enables a personal exchange between E/D/E members and contract suppliers, in a compact format and with maximum efficacy over two days. The Cologne venue and the clear focus on building fittings were new in 2023. The consistently strong response emphasises the relevance of the “E/D/E Branchentreff” get-together event, even after well over 20 years.
Vibrant networks are indispensable
The E/D/E Business NETZWERK offers another indispensable dialogue platform. Members discuss current topics and strategic issues in an environment rooted in trust and with a personal touch. The current twelve groups came together for a total of over 20 face-to-face meetings in 2023. The importance of this format for the members was demonstrated, for example, by the Business NETZWERK group 3: the members gave the 30th meeting of the group a special setting with a trip to Mallorca.
New online formats on current topics
The Business NETZWERK “Online-Kompakt” format – which was launched in 2023 – acts as a perfect complement to the multi-day face-to-face meetings: here, specific topics from the face-to-face meetings are made accessible to a broad circle of members, and current topics can also be examined from different angles in web meetings. The year’s seven online events focussing on topics such as employee recruiting, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence were met with enormous interest. Current statutory requirements – such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act – were also addressed in the form of online events and seminars.
Virtual exchange formats will be expanded in 2024 to complement the face-to-face dialogue – topics such as AI or sustainability, for example, lend themselves to regular online events. The aim is to intensify the exchange on current market developments and to promote networking among all members. This is because the qualified exchange of experience provides both stimulus and examples of success from other market participants, which E/D/E distributors can incorporate directly into their own strategies.