Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft

What Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft does

Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft (IGVW) is a German registered non-profit association (e.V.), headquartered in Langenhagen, that develops and maintains the SQ quality standards system for the event industry across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Founded in September 2018 (with a predecessor alliance dating to 2006), IGVW operates as an umbrella body whose ordinary members are the principal trade associations of the DACH event industry — DTHG, DBV, EVVC, ISDV, FAMAB, and VPLT (Germany), OETHG (Austria), and svtb (Switzerland) — supplemented by supporting members comprising companies and educational institutions.

The organization's core output is a tripartite library of industry standards: SQO standards covering organizational and documentation requirements (e.g., SQO2 event rigging, SQO6 event management, SQO9 occupational safety), SQP standards covering practical work procedures (e.g., SQP1 trusses, SQP4 mobile electrical systems, SQP5 stages, SQP7/SQP8 decorative construction and fire protection), and SQQ standards covering professional qualifications (e.g., SQQ1 electrical specialist VT, SQQ2 rigging, SQQ7 sound, SQQ8 fire protection, SQQ10 ICT, SQQ11 stage manager, and the forthcoming SQQ12 lighting technology). Beyond standards, IGVW operates the EventCampus monthly webinar series for vocational teachers, co-developed the Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) professional training program (60 ECTS, 15-month part-time) with Studieninstitut für Kommunikation and fwd:, and runs knowledge platforms including LiveKulturWissen.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership fees (ordentliche Mitglieder and Fördermitglieder), supplemented by income from certified seminars delivered through approved educational partners. The Eventkaufmann/-frau program is priced at €645 per month plus a €395 examination fee, with a 15% discount for IGVW and fwd: members. In November 2025, IGVW's member assembly unanimously adopted a modernized charter and contribution regulation, effective 1 January 2026, under which all associations become ordinary members within a reorganized category structure, with new board elections scheduled for February 2026.

Name

Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft

Legal name

Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft e. V.

Website

https://igvw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft (IGVW) is a German non-profit industry association that develops and maintains SQ quality standards (organizational, practical, and qualification) for the event industry across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, serving trade associations, certified educational institutions, and event technology professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

Keywords

• Event industry standards
• Quality certification programs
• Professional vocational training
• Industry association services
• Workplace safety standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

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: IGVW is funded through membership fees from ordentliche Mitglieder (regular members - industry associations) and Fördermitglieder (supporting members - companies and educational institutions).
2. Seminars and Qualifications: Revenue generated through certified seminars and qualification programs offered by approved educational partners under IGVW standards. Fees vary by program (e.g., SQQ1 seminar from b-trend.academy, SQQ2 courses from Event-Akademie).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IGVW develops and publishes industry quality standards (SQ standards) for the event industry across the DACH region, organized into three families: SQO for organisational standards, SQP for practical work procedures, and SQQ for professional qualifications. It also runs the EventCampus webinar platform for vocational teachers, the LiveKulturWissen knowledge base, and co-delivers certified vocational training programs such as the Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) qualification.

Product overview

IGVW operates as a professional association for the event industry across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, offering a comprehensive portfolio of quality standards (SQ standards) organized in three categories: SQO (Organization/Documentation), SQP (Practice/Work Procedures), and SQQ (Qualification). The core products are the SQ standards publications covering topics from event rigging to fire protection. Beyond standards, IGVW provides educational initiatives including EventCampus webinars for vocational teachers, LiveKulturWissen knowledge platform, and professional qualification programs like SQQ10 ICT and the Eventkaufmann/-frau training. The association does not offer a traditional software product but rather industry standards, guidelines, and educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IGVW SQ Quality Standards (SQO / SQP / SQQ) Comprehensive quality standards for the event industry covering organisational requirements (SQO2 event rigging, SQO6 event management, SQO9 occupational safety), practical work procedures (SQP1 trusses, SQP2 electric chain hoists, SQP4 mobile electrical systems, SQP5 stages, SQP7 decorative construction, SQP8 fire protection) and professional qualifications (SQQ1 electrical specialist VT, SQQ2 rigging, SQQ7 sound specialist, SQQ8 fire protection, SQQ10 ICT, SQQ11 stage manager, SQQ12.1 lighting operator, SQQ12.2 lighting system technician). Standards are sold/downloaded to event industry companies, educational partners and professionals across the DACH region.
• EventCampus Webinar Series Monthly webinar initiative for vocational school teachers in the event industry, providing networking and knowledge exchange with industry experts and practitioners. Held every third Wednesday of the month via Microsoft Teams and hosted on igvw4edu.
• LiveKulturWissen Growing knowledge database operated by Bundesstiftung LiveKultur that consolidates specialist knowledge, practical tips and strategic perspectives for event professionals and live culture stakeholders.
• Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) Training Program 15-month part-time vocational training covering business administration, event organization, AI, diversity, sustainability and modern safety procedures. Awards 60 ECTS credits and qualifies participants for the Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) professional title. Priced at EUR 645.00 per month plus a EUR 395.00 examination fee, with a 15% discount for IGVW and fwd: members.
• SQQ11 Inspizient:in Qualification Professional qualification for stage managers (Inspizient:innen) comprising 136 teaching units, developed in cooperation with Inspizienz-Netzwerk e.V. and delivered through Event-Akademie Baden-Baden.
• SQQ10 ICT Training Professional qualification for information and communication technology at Level 1, aligned with DQR/EQF Level 4, qualifying specialists to deploy and operate network infrastructure in event environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Standards cover all major aspects of event technology: rigging, electrical safety, stage construction, fire safety, ICT, and professional qualifications

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Studieninstitut für KommunikationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 9 April 2025Educational partner developing and delivering Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) professional training program in cooperation with IGVW and fwd:.
• fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025Co-developer of Eventkaufmann/-frau (IGVW) program and co-host of EventCampus webinars for vocational teachers.
• OETHG (Österreichische Theatertechnische Gesellschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Austrian member representing Austrian theater and event technology professionals.
• WARRIORS mit Kultur für Demokratie und Menschenrechte e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2023Alliance partner in ZUKUNFT DEUTSCHLAND campaign addressing workforce shortage through interdisciplinary cooperation.
• Arbeitgeberverband Pflege e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2023Alliance partner in cross-industry cooperation to address shared challenges in workforce recruitment and immigration bureaucracy.
• DIN e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022IGVW is a member of DIN (German Institute for Standardization), participating in standards development processes.
• WHO (World Health Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2022IGVW published the WHO Global standard for safe listening venues and events, demonstrating international collaboration on safety standards.
• EventCampuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022Cross-border education platform launched by associations from Germany, Austria and Switzerland for vocational training in the event industry. Joint initiative under IGVW umbrella.
• svtb (Schweizer Verband Technischer Bühnen- und Veranstaltungsberufe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2020Swiss member representing technical stage and event professionals. Adapted Next Generation 2021 initiative for ZUKUNFT DEUTSCHLAND campaign.
• DTHG (Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member association representing German stage and event technology professionals. DTHG collaborates on standards development including SQO2 Veranstaltungsrigging.
• DBV (Deutscher Bühnenverein)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member representing theaters and stages in Germany. Contributes to standards development and industry advocacy.
• EVVC (Europäischer Verband für Veranstaltungsproduktion, -technik und -design)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member representing European event production, technology and design industry.
• ISDV (Interessengemeinschaft der Veranstaltungslogistik und -dienstleister)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member representing event logistics and service providers.
• FAMAB (Verband Direkte Kommunikation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member representing direct communication and live marketing industry.
• VPLT (Verband für Medien- und Veranstaltungstechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Founding member representing media and event technology industry. Previously developed VPLT SR standards that became the basis for IGVW SQQ standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eventbrite: Global event technology platform. Broadly comparable as a participant in the same event industry but operates as a commercial ticketing and event-management platform rather than as a standards body. Useful as an incumbent reference for the broader event industry ecosystem IGVW supports.

Direct peers

• PLASA: Professional Lighting and Sound Association, the leading UK-based industry association for live entertainment technology. Directly comparable to IGVW as a standards-developing, member-led trade body covering lighting, sound, rigging and event production, with international membership. Operates primarily in UK/global English-speaking markets rather than DACH.
• OETHG (Österreichische Theatertechnische Gesellschaft): Austrian theater technology society and IGVW member association. Comparable as a peer national-level technical association feeding into IGVW's DACH framework; operates a dedicated Akademie der OETHG as a supporting education member.
• ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association): US-based trade association for the entertainment technology industry that develops ANSI-accredited standards (e.g., rigging, electrical, structural). Directly comparable as a peer standards-developing body for event technology professionals, with overlapping SQO/SQP/SQQ-style functional scope but serving North America.
• fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft: German federal association representing the event industry. Directly comparable as a peer advocacy and representation body for the same German event industry; co-develops IGVW's Eventkaufmann/-frau program and co-hosts EventCampus webinars.
• VPLT (Verband für Medien- und Veranstaltungstechnik): German industry association for media and event technology. Directly comparable as a founding IGVW member whose prior VPLT SR standards were absorbed into IGVW's SQQ framework. Operates as a more specialized peer focused on media/event tech practitioners.
• DTHG (Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft): German society for theater technology professionals and a founding IGVW member. Comparable as a peer association focused on stage and theater technology standards, contributing to SQO2 Veranstaltungsrigging and broader standards work.

Emerging players

• SAE Institute: International media and creative technology education provider and IGVW-approved educational partner. Comparable as a peer delivery channel for IGVW's qualification programs (SQQ) in audio, lighting, and event technology disciplines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/IGVW.org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIH1xowD8ufq8v276zGyQYQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/IGVW.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interessengemeinschaft-veranstaltungswirtschaft
• Instagraminstagram.com/igvw_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft