Helmut Russ

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The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Magic was initiated in 2003 by the Berlin Tourism Round Table and has established itself as one of the highlights of the German capital over the past 20 years. The goal of the event was and is to make the Gendarmenmarkt and Berlin's city center more attractive during the darker months of the year and to strengthen the local hotel and restaurant industry. This contributes significantly to promoting tourism during the winter and Christmas season.

Under the leadership of organizer Helmut Russ, the Christmas market has become a flagship not only for Berlin's Mitte district, but for the entire city. With a focus on local gastronomy and regional exhibitors, the market supports the local economy while promoting traditional German Christmas traditions. The success of the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Magic is reflected in impressive statistics that clearly demonstrate its popularity and tourist value. Visitors to the market can expect a festive and enjoyable experience that heightens the anticipation of Christmas and offers ideal opportunities for shared moments with family and friends. Culture-loving tourists from Germany and abroad will find a perfect mix of high-quality handicrafts, top-class gastronomy, and a diverse supporting program ranging from performing arts to interactive offerings.

Mr. Russ uses the proceeds from the Christmas market to support various social projects in Berlin's Mitte district. A particular focus is the annual trip to the Zillertal Valley with 30 students from the Anna Lindt School, which focuses on "healthy eating and exercise." In addition to managing WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt GmbH, Mr. Russ has founded various companies and associations, all of which also support charitable projects. In 2024, the listed "Luise Post Mill in Etingen" project was completed. The mill was in operation again on German Mill Day 2024 after 80 years.

Klaus Forcher

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Welcome to our website! We are delighted about your interest in the Excellent European Christmas Markets. With the establishment of the EECMA, the foundation stone for this new network for Christmas markets was laid in close cooperation with experts and Christmas market organizers from private, municipal, and tourism organizations. Members and partners who share our values and meet the high standards of our quality code will be able to use the new quality seal for Christmas markets in the future, thereby setting a visible example for visitors, market exhibitors, and in their dealings with authorities and institutions. The launch of this alliance was also a long-held desire on the part of the Christmas market community to develop quality standards and subject them to fact-based, neutral professional evaluation. By introducing the label, our Christmas markets express their premium claim. Especially in recent years, a wide variety of online portals have published rankings of Christmas markets, which primarily reflect subjective feelings in their voting, but are sometimes awarded through monetary donations. As CEO of a company that organizes international conferences, including on the subject of developing emotional experience spaces, consumer markets and consumer experience, and as I am also a passionate visitor to Christmas markets at home and abroad, I am very happy to contribute my expertise to the EECMA association.

Monika Flocke

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Attorney Monika Flocke has been managing director of the Cologne Christmas Company Ltd. since 2010, operating the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral. With her years of expertise and tireless dedication, she has transformed this market into an institution that is recognized and acclaimed both at home and abroad, attracting over 4 million visitors from all over the world every year.

The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is a trademark of the city of Cologne in the run-up to Christmas, with high quality standards and social responsibility.

For example, the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral was, and still is, the first market to be certified organic in its entirety in the gastronomic sector in 2010. Since 2023, the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral has also been arguably the first Christmas market in Germany to boast ISO sustainability certification. Since 2010, the operators have also donated EUR 50,000 annually to social organizations in the city of Cologne.

As the operator of a market with the highest quality standards, both in terms of content/organization and social/societal aspects, Monika Flocke is ideally suited to select and establish further premium markets.

Yves Cornaro

Board of Directors / membre du comité directeur

Founded in 1995 by Yves Cornaro, the Montreux Christmas Market is now an essential institution, a unique and exceptional event unlike any other Christmas market. After ten years of volunteer work to establish the market, a structured organization was established in 2004. Yves Cornaro assumed the presidency and leadership, cementing the mission of offering innovations and a diverse range of exhibitors every year. Today, this vision is bearing fruit: the Montreux Christmas Market attracts 500,000 visitors annually to our small town of 25,000 inhabitants, generating significant economic benefits for the entire region.

What distinguishes the Montreux Christmas Market is its innovative character and magical atmosphere. Each edition offers the opportunity to discover new attractions, passionate artisans, and unique products, making this event an unmissable winter highlight for locals and tourists alike. Thanks to a dedicated professional team that revisits the market throughout the year, every detail is carefully considered to offer an unforgettable experience. The success of the Montreux Christmas Market extends beyond Switzerland's borders. It has become a benchmark that attracts visitors from all over Europe and beyond. This event is a true beacon for the city of Montreux, strengthening its reputation and tourist appeal. In 2024, we will celebrate the 30th edition of the Montreux Christmas Market.

Fondé in 1995 by Yves Cornaro, the Marché de Noël de Montreux is an uncontournable institution. Aux côtés d'autres commerçants de Montreux, Yves Cornaro a lance ce marché with a vision claire: create an événement unique et exceptionalnel, different from all other marches de Noël. After the anniversary of its development, it was decided to establish the march, an organization structured in its place in 2004. Yves Cornaro assumes the presidency and direction, consolidating the mission of the proposer of the new generation, and a diversité of exhibits. Aujourd'hui, this vision of porté ses fruits: the Marché de Noël de Montreux attracts 500,000 visitors annually in notre small ville de 25,000 habitants, générant des retombées économiques significant for all of the region.

This distinguishes the Marché de Noël de Montreux, which has an innovative character and a féérique ambiance. This edition is the opportunity to discover new attractions, passionate artisans and unique products, contributing to the uncontournable winter for the tourists. Grâce à une équipe professionalnelle dévouée qui travaille toute l'année, this detail is soigneusement pensé pour offrir une experience inoubliable. The success of the Marché de Noël de Montreux reaches the Swiss frontiers. It is a reference brand that attracts visitors from all over Europe and abroad. This event is a veritable light for the city of Montreux, which is notoriety and is a tourist attraction. In 2024, we celebrated the 30th edition of the March of Noël de Montreux.

Norbert Albl

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Norbert Albl caught the showman’s bug at a young age. He supported
He worked as a temporary employee for various showmen's companies until he turned his passion into a profession in 1980 and founded his own showmen's and event company. He was also involved in
Professional associations and politics: For many years, he was a member and president of the board of the Swiss Showmen's Association (SVS). For many years, he served as a municipal councilor in the Winterthur city parliament and advocated for the region's economic development. In 1997, he launched the Winterthur Christmas market as a limited liability company (GmbH) with Partner. Four years later, the Winterthur Christmas Market Association (VWW) was founded, which he chaired for 18 years until 2022. Since then, he has been honorary president and continues to work for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets far and wide, with a resonance that extends beyond the borders.

Burkhard Count Beissel of Gymnich

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I, Count Beissel von Gymnich, worked for a major bank for 25 years, where I built up several trading offices in the stock market. Through my career, I was able to get to know many companies and repeatedly discovered that networking is a key factor in their success. This was also a key component in the successful restructuring of my father's business, ultimately making it possible.

Even today, further growth is only possible if you can leverage other core competencies through networks. It's always important to have a team of employees who live this philosophy and recognize and respect the benefits of each other's strengths, as well as to contribute their own expertise.

In order to further develop my Christmas market, a long-held dream has come true with the founding of Excellent European Christmas Markets: to create a quality association with a seal of approval that sets new standards for Christmas market organizers.

Roberta Agosti, Dr. Mag.

Board of Directors / membro del consiglio di administration

After attending a language lyceum and gaining initial experience in a large private corporation, Roberta Agosti won a competition at the Bolzano spa administration. Her internship at the counter and then in marketing led her to gain experience in the city's municipality. In the meantime, she studied history and modern philology, earned a master's degree in tourism and leisure management from the University of Salzburg, and became a city guide and president of the tourism ministry in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone.

Her current role as director of the Bolzano City Tourist Office includes organizing and promoting the Bolzano Christmas Market, including the planned supporting events. This event has a wide appeal, especially in Italy, but is slowly gaining international traction.

Dopo aver frequentato il Liceo Linguistico, Roberta Agosti has lavorato per anni presso una grande impresa privata per vincere poi a concorso presso l'Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Bolzano dalla quale, dopo un'esperienza all'ufficio informazioni nel marketing è passata al Comune di Bolzano. At a fast pace, he has studied Science and Modern History to successfully conclude a master press at the University of Salisburgo by General Manager of Tourism and Tempo Libero, he has obtained the license of the Guida Turistica and is the nominated President of the Pastoral Church of the Diocese of Bolzano Bressanone.

The organization of the Mercatino di Natale di Bolzano with the events of the account and the promotion of the competition of the Soggiorno that Roberta Agosti directed the year. Questo evento ha una grande capacità attrattiva, soprattutto in Italia, ma negli ultimi anni riesce a catalizzare theinterest di un pubblico semper più internazionale.

Josef Schüller

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In his many years of experience in the management and operation of high-traffic properties, particularly in the areas of shopping centers and major train stations, Josef Schüller has recognized the importance of premium quality and uniqueness as key factors for success and has incorporated this as a guiding principle in his professional activities. His field of activity has extended across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The development of strategic usage concepts, as well as city monitoring, city management, and location marketing, were carried out with this high standard in mind, combined with a strong understanding of branding and identification. High quality standards, the experience factor, sustainability, and solidarity are therefore, for him, the pillars of "Excellent European Christmas Markets."

Max Lindinger, MA

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After studying sociology, political science, and psychology, Max Lindinger worked for the German Bundestag and as a freelance lecturer, among other positions, before finding his calling in the event management industry in 2003. Since then, he has been responsible for the city of Passau's annual major events, such as the Dulten and Christmas markets. In keeping with his commitment to continuous improvement, he has completed numerous training and advanced training courses, including as a certified event manager (IST) and as a coordinator for event safety (TÜV).

He has been leveraging his knowledge and many years of experience in his second professional venture since 2022. With his consulting firm Sicherheitskonzept Niederbayern (Safety Concept Lower Bavaria), he has since been working for the Karpfhamer Fest—the third largest folk festival in Bavaria—and for ADAC Germany as part of the Central European Rally.

Under Lindinger's leadership, the young Passau Christmas market at the cathedral has developed in recent years into an event with worldwide appeal.