Moving into a Hotel for the Thrills of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest planner decides to reside in a hotel - Oktoberfest organizer relocates to hotel for festival duration.
Hey there! Let's dive into the world of Oktoberfest and its cheerful Wiesnchef, Christian Scharpf. Instead of commuting from afar, he's decided to reside in a hotel during the festivities for practical reasons. He's got a room snuggly nestled near the action, ensuring he's never far from the beer tents and rides[1].
Why the hotel move, you ask? Well, he wants to be on-site immediately whenever the need arises during the peak festival period. The 53-year-old, newly appointed economic affairs chief, is usually a stone's throw away from the festival grounds in the Maxvorstadt district. But during Oktoberfest, the U- and S-bahns and train stations around the event are usually jam-packed, and even walking can be a slow-and-go thrill ride[2].
Catching the early worm
The first order of business for the festival leader is the early morning security briefing with the authorities[1]. After that, it's a non-stop rollercoaster of appointments. Having an eagle-eye view and a hands-on approach are crucial for keeping everything in check[1]. Scharpf admits to being a passionate Wiesn-goer. He fell in love with the Oktoberfest as a law student in Munich, and he can't help but cherish this unusual workplace[1].
Battle-cries and soothing lozenges
Scharpf is responsible for ensuring the event runs like clockwork, practically and organizationally. Throughout the fortnight, he'll attend numerous networking events of associations, organizations, and companies[1]. Being the life of the party (well, some might call it the life of the beer tent) will be challenging. He expects the shouting to give him a sore throat. To ward off hoarseness, he'll stock up on throat lozenges before the event[1]. Despite the shouting and the potential throat issues, he's looking forward to the encounters - it's all part of the experience[1].
His favorite ride: Breakdance. With its speed and excitement, it's a crowd-pleaser (just don't ask him about heights. He's not the flighty type)[1].
Following in Clemens Baumgaertner's footsteps
Scharpf's hotel booking for Oktoberfest mirrors the move of his predecessor, Clemens Baumgaertner, for practical reasons. Hotels in Munich are like gold dust during Oktoberfest[2]. Baumgaertner took a hotel near the festival grounds for the first time in 2022. The choice was strategic – being within walking distance in case of an emergency at night[2].
- Oktoberfest
- Wiesnchef
- Munich
- German Press Agency
- Maxvorstadt
[1] Some Oktoberfest Wiesnchefs, like Christian Scharpf and previous Wiesnchefs such as Baumgärtner, choose to stay in hotels during the festival primarily for practical reasons. Staying in a hotel near the festival grounds allows them to be readily available at any moment, especially during the peak times of the event. This is crucial because their role involves managing the festival from early in the morning until late at night, including attending security briefings and ensuring that everything runs smoothly[1][2].
[2] Previous Wiesnchefs, such as Baumgärtner, have also adopted this practice to ensure proximity to the festival site, reflecting the importance of being on-site for the demanding role of managing such a large event[2].
- During the Oktoberfest, Wiesnchefs, such as Christian Scharpf, often choose to stay in hotels strategically located near the festival grounds to be readily available at all times, particularly during peak festival hours, as their roles involve numerous responsibilities, including attending security briefings and managing the event throughout the day and night.
- This hotel-dwelling practice during Oktoberfest is also seen in previous Wiesnchefs, like Clemens Baumgaertner, who opted for hotels near the festival grounds to ensure they could respond quickly if needed, considering the challenging nature of management responsibilities during such a significant event.
