BarmeniaGothaer b2gether Event – Summer festival 2026

When two companies with long-standing traditions come together to form a new community, meaningful moments of connection are essential. The BarmeniaGothaer b2gether Event – Summer Festival 2026 at the Cologne Racecourse was exactly such a moment.

For the first time since the merger of Barmenia and Gothaer, employees of the newly formed company came together in one place.

Many employees had never met in person before. On this day, digital collaboration and cooperation across different locations turned into a genuine sense of community.

Guest management for 8,520 invited guests

For an event of this scale, reliable participant management is a crucial factor in its success. A total of 8,520 guests were invited to the b2gether Event, with around 4,000 participants attending in person.

Participant and guest management was handled through BarmeniaGothaer’s existing eventry system. The system was used to send invitations by email, manage online registration and provide relevant travel information. This included shuttle options and parking spaces, as well as the distribution of e-tickets and personalized parking tickets.

This created a clear, structured and digital foundation for a smooth event experience well in advance.

Digital on-site check-in

Efficient admission was also a key priority on the day of the event. Check-in was carried out digitally using smartphones and laptops. Additional trouble counters were set up to handle questions, special cases and last-minute changes quickly and with a strong focus on service.

With several thousand guests attending, it was essential for the on-site processes to be stable, flexible and as straightforward as possible for participants. The combination of digital check-in, prepared guest data, personalized tickets and direct on-site support ensured that guests could begin the summer festival in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

Long-standing partnership with eventry

Gothaer has been using eventry since 2019 and has managed its events with GuestONE’s participant management software ever since. In 2022, GuestONE also supported Gothaer’s 200th anniversary with a customized GuestHub solution. The b2gether Summer Festival therefore continued this long-standing partnership—this time in the special context of the first joint event following the merger of Barmenia and Gothaer.

A powerful event for a strong merger

The b2gether Event – Summer Festival 2026 impressively demonstrated the importance of personal encounters in building a new corporate community. At the Cologne Racecourse, the merger of Barmenia and Gothaer was not only made visible from an organizational perspective, but above all brought to life on an emotional level.