Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren

What Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren does

Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren e.V. (VDVO) is a registered nonprofit industry association headquartered in Berlin that represents approximately 600 decision-makers in Germany's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events) sector, comprising roughly 80% corporate event planners from DAX-listed and mid-market firms and 20% service providers including hotels, agencies, and technology vendors. The association runs an integrated portfolio of programs: the annual VDVO Kongress (2026 edition in Würzburg), the ITB MICE Night during ITB Berlin, the Captain MICE Future start-up competition (since 2016), the MICE Achievement Award (since 2016), regional Netzwerkstatt meetings across six German postal-code territories, Mastermind peer groups, and a VDVO Academy delivering over 100 educational events and webinars per year in partnership with IECA Mannheim and IST-Studieninstitut.

The association's commercial and technological footprint extends beyond traditional trade-body activities. Through the EU-co-financed BEFuture project (led by the Catalan Tourism Board with eight European partners), VDVO co-developed the KI-Avatar with technology partner MICE DESK — an AI-powered virtual assistant for handling MICE inquiries that is offered to members at a €4,990 setup price and customizable with member branding. The association also serves as a regulatory advocate, having filed a formal submission to the Bundeskartellamt flagging market concentration in MICE booking portals.

VDVO operates on a tiered annual membership model: Regular Members (€75/year), Supporting Members (€300/year), Youngsters / students (€37.50/year), and Corporate Supporting Members (€737.50/year, covering up to five employees plus visibility benefits). Revenue is supplemented by event sponsorships, EU project co-financing, and partnership-derived member benefits with vendors such as Deutsche Bahn (event travel), Sixt (up to 45% rental discount), Cvent, EventMobi, plazz AG, Maritim Hotelgesellschaft, and Convention Bureau Thüringen. Self-serve membership acquisition is conducted through the Kurabu online platform, with personalized outreach via the regional director network.

Name

Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren

Legal name

Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren e.V.

Website

https://vdvo.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren (VDVO) is a Berlin-based nonprofit association serving approximately 600 German MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events) industry decision-makers and service providers through networking, education, annual congress, start-up programs, and regulatory advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

MICE Travel Technology & Program Management (Apps, Communications, Tracking) (THAHADAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Events & Meetings (MICE) Agencies (MPAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Industry association
• Event networking
• MICE industry
• Professional development
• Event education

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: VDVO generates revenue through annual membership fees with tiered pricing based on member type. Membership categories include regular planners (€75/year), supporting members (€300/year), students/young professionals (€37.50/year), and corporate supporting members (€737.50/year).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren (VDVO) is Germany's largest registered nonprofit industry association (e.V.) for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events) decision-makers. It offers tiered annual memberships that grant access to networking events (VDVO Kongress, ITB MICE Days, regional Netzwerkstatt meetings), continuing education programs (webinars, Mastermind groups, partnerships with IECA Mannheim and IST-Studieninstitut), an industry job board, and an annual MICE Achievement Award. It also runs the Captain MICE Future start-up competition and the EU-funded BEFuture project, and co-developed an AI Avatar product (KI-Avatar) with MICE DESK.

Product overview

VDVO (Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren) is Germany's largest professional association for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events) industry decision-makers and executives. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio centered around its annual VDVO Kongress (congress), MICE Achievement Award (lifetime achievement award), and Captain MICE Future (start-up innovation platform). Key programs include the EU-funded BE Future project for industry transformation, ITB MICE Days as a premier industry congress, and a KI Avatar AI assistant module developed for member websites. The association also provides member services including VDVO Education (webinars and workshops), Mastermind groups, regional networking events (Netzwerkstatt), and a MICE-specific job board. VDVO serves approximately 600 planners and service providers, with members categorized as corporate meeting planners (80%) or service providers (20%).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Captain MICE Future: Startup competition and innovation platform connecting innovative companies with investors and event planners in the MICE industry
• MICE Achievement Award
• BEFuture
• VDVO Kongress
• ITB MICE Night
• VDVO Academy

Products and services

• VDVO Kongress Annual flagship congress bringing together leading MICE industry decision-makers for keynotes, themed workshops, and a networking evening. Held at rotating German locations (e.g., Würzburg 2026, Leipzig 2022).
• MICE Achievement Award Annual honorary award recognizing outstanding achievements, lifetime accomplishments, or societal engagement in the MICE industry. Selected by an independent expert committee, with the 2025 recipient being Alexander Müller (GREATOR).
• Captain MICE Future Innovation event and pitch competition connecting event planners with innovative start-ups in the MICE industry, featuring jury selection and industry matchmaking for new market entrants.
• BEFuture (BE>FUTURE) European Union-funded project involving eight European partners from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, working to transform the MICE tourism sector through talent, innovation, and technology.
• KI-Avatar (MICE DESK) AI-powered virtual assistant for MICE inquiries, customizable with brand identity and integrable into websites, developed with MICE DESK under the BEFuture EU project with a setup cost of €4,990.
• ITB MICE Days Annual networking event held during the ITB Berlin trade fair, serving as a leading MICE congress platform in Germany and free for VDVO members.
• VDVO Education / Webinars Continuing education and webinar program covering AI in event management, sustainability, event psychology, and GenZ expectations, with over 100 educational events and webinars offered annually.
• VDVO Job-Börse MICE-specific job portal powered by Pregas, offering industry-relevant job listings for VDVO members and the broader meeting and event industry.
• VDVO Mastermind-Gruppen Exclusive peer-group forums where VDVO members collaboratively develop solutions and recommendations for current topics and challenges in event planning.
• Netzwerkstatt (Regionaltreffen) Regional networking meetings held across North, East, South, Southwest, West, and Rhein-Main regions of Germany in formats ranging from breakfast meetings to after-work sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 planners and service providers network within the association
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Catalan Tourism Board / Catalunya Convention BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDVO is the German representative in the BE>FUTURE European project, initiated and led by the Catalan Tourism Board. The project involves 8 European partners from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, focused on transforming the European MICE tourism sector through talent, innovation, and technology.
• Internationale Event- & Congress Akademie Mannheim (IECA Mannheim)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDVO partners with IECA Mannheim to provide continuing education and professional development programs for members, offering reduced rates on seminars and certificate programs.
• IST-Studieninstitut & IST-Hochschule für ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDVO partners with IST to provide members with 10% discount on all distance learning programs and academic degrees. IST offers flexible online learning methods and practical relevance for event industry professionals.
• MICE DESKcoreTechnology or IntegrationVDVO partnered with MICE DESK to develop the KI-Avatar (AI Avatar) product under the BEFuture EU project. The AI avatar helps hotels and event venues process MICE inquiries efficiently. VDVO members benefit from EU funding of over €20,000 and an already invested project budget of approximately €50,000.
• European Union (BEFuture Project)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDVO receives EU funding through the BEFuture project (BE>FUTURE), co-financed by the European Union. The project supports MICE innovation, start-up promotion, and digital transformation of the European event industry.
• Cvent Europe Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCvent is a supporting member of VDVO and provides event management software solutions. The partnership involves presence at VDVO events and knowledge sharing about event technology.
• Deutsche Bahn AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDB Fernverkehr AG offers VDVO members special event travel rates. Participants travel in trains with 100% green electricity and CO2-free, supporting sustainable events.
• Sixt GmbH & Co. Autovermietung KGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSixt provides VDVO members with special rental rates, offering up to 45% discount on daily rentals through a partnership program.
• Convention Bureau ThüringenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe new Convention Bureau Thüringen joined as a supporting member, serving as a central point of contact for meeting planners interested in Thuringia as a destination.
• Maritim HotelgesellschaftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaritim is a supporting member and serves as venue partner for VDVO Kongress 2026 in Würzburg.
• A2 Forum Management GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA2 Forum is a supporting member, offering event spaces with 12,000 sqm of usable space including 5 exhibition halls and 10 conference rooms for up to 1,200 congress participants.
• memoxminorGTM or Marketing Partnermemox is a supporting member providing uniquely equipped rooms and services for meetings, workshops, and seminars with an all-inclusive solution.
• Congress Center Hamburg (CCH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCH - Congress Center Hamburg is represented in the VDVO Award Gremium through CEO Heike Mahmoud.
• Pokale MeierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPokale Meier is a supporting member offering VDVO members a special 10% discount on trophies, medals, awards, and plaques, including custom designs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ICCA – International Congress and Convention Association: Global association for the international meetings industry with members across associations, destinations, and suppliers. Comparable in mission (MICE networking, education, advocacy) but operates at global rather than German scale.
• MPI – Meeting Professionals International: Global association for meeting and event professionals with chapters including Germany. Comparable in serving planners with education, certification, and networking, but at significantly larger international scale and resources.
• PCMA – Professional Convention Management Association: North-America-anchored global association for business event strategists and meeting professionals. Comparable in serving senior planners with education and networking, though primarily active outside Germany.

Direct peers

• GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. Germany's national convention bureau promoting Germany as a MICE destination. Directly comparable as a German MICE-focused membership/industry organization with overlapping corporate planner and venue/supplier stakeholders.
• EVVC – European Association of Event Centres e.V. European association representing event venues and congress centers across DACH and beyond. Comparable as a MICE-focused industry association serving venue and event organizer members with networking and education programs.
• fairorg – Fachverband für Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. German trade association for the live events industry covering event managers, agencies, venues, and suppliers. Comparable in serving as a national membership body for MICE/event professionals in Germany with advocacy and education mandates.
• IAPCO – International Association of Professional Congress Organizers: International association of professional congress organizers representing PCO companies globally. Comparable as a MICE-segment-specific membership organization providing accreditation, education, and industry representation.
• SITE – Society of Incentive & Travel Executives: International association focused on the incentive travel and motivational events segment of MICE. Comparable as a niche-focused MICE membership body offering education, networking, and industry advocacy.

Others

• European Cities Marketing (ECM): Network of European city tourism boards and convention bureaus. Comparable as an adjacent stakeholder ecosystem to VDVO's corporate planner network, with overlapping event and congress promotion objectives.
• Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (BTW): German tourism industry umbrella association representing the broader German tourism value chain. Comparable as a German industry association engaging in political advocacy on behalf of tourism/MICE stakeholders, though broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VDVO
• Facebookfacebook.com/VDVO.DE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vdvo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verband der Veranstaltungsorganisatoren