The origins of KölnKongress GmbH, which was founded in 1994 as a subsidiary of Koelnmesse (49% of the shares) and the City of Cologne (51% of the shares), are to be found in the former Congress Department of Koelnmesse. With the take-over in 1997 of the operation of the Gürzenich Köln – a splendid building dating back to the 15th century which stands in the heart of the city centre and shortly before had been generally restored in just two years at a cost of 30 million Euro - another ten employees of the original Congress Department of Koelnmesse joined KölnKongress. At that time, KölnKongress already managed the supporting events of the Cologne trade fairs and marketed the Congress Centres of Koelnmesse in trade fair-free times.
 
Since June 1998, KölnKongress has been operating the traditional Cologne venue “Tanzbrunnen” which in addition to the characteristic fountain has a 30,000 sq.m. park with open-air stage, the catering facilities of the Rheinterrassen with wonderful views across the Rhine of Cologne’s Old Town, and the Theater am Tanzbrunnen built in 1994.
 
In 2000, KölnKongress took over “die Bastei”, an imposing rotunda designed by the architect Riphan which towers over the Rhine, which was formerly part of Cologne’s fortifications and today is a venue for celebrations of a special kind.
 
In cooperation with the Cologne Zoo, since April 2002, KölnKongress has been making it possible to hold exceptional events at the ZooLocation for up to 400 persons in 2,000 sq.m. of space in one of Germany’s largest aquariums.
 
Since August 2003, the Cologne Municipal Museum in the Zeughaus with its collection of medieval exhibits has been offering cultural and social events a stylish and unique setting.
 
In May 2004, with the 3,500 sq.m. of the km 689 Cologne Beach Club which is located directly beside the Rhine in the Tanzbrunnen grounds, a further exceptional venue for special events was created.
 
The Flora Köln, one of the most historic buildings in Cologne dating back to the “Gründerzeit”  with five representative rooms and located in the heart of the Botanical Gardens, was added in April 2006.
 
Since September 2008, KölnKongress has been managing the protected buildings of the Rheinparkhallen Köln. The former “Staatenhaus”, originally built in 1928 – located between the exhibition centre and the Tanzbrunnen - is equally suitable with its 16,900 sq.m. of exhibition space for congresses, events and company meetings as well as for exhibitions.
 
Today, with its 10 locations, a total of over 60 rooms and more than 2,000 events each year, KölnKongress is Cologne’s largest suppliers of event venues. 34 employees with consulting competence, with experience and with ideas, have one thing in mind, above all, with each individually planned event: the success of the event for the client!

KölnKongress – bringing people together !