From Christmas parties of a very different kind to off-road action, classic trackdays on the track, trade fairs, industrial tests, film shoots and vehicle presentations to dealer events lasting several weeks: The BILSTER BERG is the right place for all these events.

But it’s not always just about speed. Running meetings, drive-in cinema or classic conferences also take place at the BILSTER BERG. And what’s more, the facility is regularly opened up for the public to get to know, like at Coffee, Cake & Cars or at the breakfast and brunch dates.

Event management at the BILSTER BERG

At the Trackdays, however, the focus is on the horsepower and you can feel like a racing driver for a day. Sabine Karusseit, together with her team, fulfils the wishes of the customers and ensures that everything runs smoothly. “We offer emotional experiences that inspire our customers and send them home with a smile on their face,” says the Head of Sales & Event Management.

She explains that due to the high range of events at the BILSTER BERG, they are open to everyone. “We see ourselves first and foremost as the landlord of the facility. But we also have our own events, like the Racetrack Training Basic & Sport, where you can get to know the track in 4 x 20 minutes of guided driving.”

“For private client events, we offer a kind of agency service, such as creating the programme, booking instructors and vehicle hire. And for larger events, we support the client agencies because we can draw from a wealth of experience. In addition, we can make recommendations for external service providers, for example for vehicle maintenance, technology or even exhibition stand construction.”

The day-to-day work of the trained hotel clerk is very varied and full of surprises. But that is exactly what appeals to her about her job. “Besides the pure office work in sales, contract processing or invoicing, it’s also nice to be out in the field. To see the results of the preliminary work. To be able to see the positive reactions of the customers,” says Sabine Karusseit.

“There are no problems, only challenges”.

Before coming to the BILSTER BERG, she completed an apprenticeship at the Hotel Motodrom at the Hockenheimring and initially worked there in banquet sales. “Through a vacancy in the administration of the race track in the ticketing area, I tried my way through from clerk, to the secretariat of the management, to event management/sales,” she describes.

For the job as Head of Sales & Event Management, you need to be flexible and have the ability to inspire others. It is also important to be a team player, good at time management and have an eye for detail.

“Always having a smile on your face and thinking in a solution-oriented way” are other important qualities in Sabine Karusseit’s job. “Always thinking one step ahead for the customer in order to be able to additionally inspire them. Often, special creativity is also required when it comes to acute approaches to solutions.”

Now and then there are hurdles to overcome. “Actually, there are no problems, only challenges. Even after many years in event management, there are always things you can learn and thus also grow,” she explains and describes what her day-to-day work looks like.

“No working day is the same, because fortunately the clients are always different. Of course, there are things that repeat themselves every day, such as checking and preparing the venue, coordinating with the external service providers, accompanying the event, supporting the client in case of problems.”

“With us, every event organiser has his own account manager at hand whom he can contact at any time. With us, the customer should be able to concentrate fully on his event and not have to deal with minor details,” says Sabine Karusseit.

All kinds of events

Whether film productions, marketing campaigns or driving training with professional racers, it never gets boring at the BILSTER BERG. Sabine Karusseit finds film and TV productions particularly interesting, “because it’s unbelievable how briefly the facility can sometimes be seen in the finished product, even though filming took place over days,” she says.

“On the BILSTER BERG, it has also been possible to create some productions with prototypes, as our venue is not visible from the outside. So we are often one of the first to see what is new on the market. Of course, there is then always strictest secrecy and we all have to sign a corresponding agreement.”

But the Head of Sales & Event Management also has her own projects close to her heart. “Projects that we try out for the first time are exciting for us. Because we never know how an idea will be received. This year, for example, we were delighted that our drive-in cinema was so well received. It will definitely be extended in 2020,” she assures.

For the future of the BILSTER BERG, she would like to see “a healthy mix of organisers and events in the coming years as well. Because that way we can continue to inspire our great team over and over again in the coming years and thus not least our customers!”