With 88 participants from eleven different countries as well as 21 exhibitors from seven nations, the first European Camping Congress Essen has become a success straight away on the occasion of its maiden flight. The concept of a compact sectoral congress prior to the "Reise + Camping" fair has proven to be suitable. In addition to five workshops extremely oriented to practice, the participants were also able to venture a look at largely unknown terrain during the keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Hans Georg Häusel: Until now, not every camping entrepreneur has been familiar with neuromarketing but the speaker knew how to explain its significance for economic success in a very graphic and entertaining way and nevertheless in a well-founded form and at a high scientific level.

As the patron of the Camping Congress, Dr. Gunter Riechey, President of BVCD ("Federal Association of the Camping Industry in Germany"), makes a positive résumé: "The success shows that Messe Essen has made the right offer at the right time with this idea."

And Eicke Schürmann, Chief Executive Officer of the European partner LeadingCampings, supplements: "Actually, the Camping Congress must be rated as a success. The subjects were somewhat less visionary than envisaged in the initial planning but they did have all the more relevance to practice. I have been very pleased about the high quality of the speakers but, above all, about the active discussions in the workshops. There is no doubt that we will continue to support the Congress."