Take a look behind the scenes of the BVL Supply Chain CX – an innovative event format by the Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL) e.V. that blends classic conference elements with the energy of a festival.
Christoph Meyer, Managing Director of the Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V., shares his vision in an interview and explains how the focus was successfully placed on community building, interactivity and creative experience formats. From “Logistics Escape Rooms” to live acts and theme-based “Connect Tables”: discover how the future of the logistics sector is being brought to life – and be inspired by how your next specialist conference could set new standards. The event took place in 2024 and 2025 at the Estrel Berlin – one of Europe’s largest event venues.
“We realised that while the DLK (Deutscher Logistik-Kongress) brand was well established after more than 40 years, there was a strong desire to evolve the format: more space for our partners and brands, new formats for content delivery, and ways to attract the next generation of senior professionals. The aim was to create a genuine community event – one that spans all levels of seniority.
At the same time, it was important for us to preserve the event’s credibility, high-quality content and strong networking character. So in that sense, it’s both: a congress, and – thanks to the new expo area – it also has something of a festival feel. At its core, however, it remains focused on combining in-depth expertise with standout networking moments. Our goal is to broaden the base and place even greater emphasis on the diversity of the logistics sector. The new name of our flagship event and its concept make that clearly visible and increase the appeal of the event.
It was crucial to design the event in a way that reflects the current and future challenges of the logistics sector in terms of content. And that’s exactly what it achieved in October 2024 – all without losing sight of the fact that a touch of lightness and fun helps tackle even the biggest challenges together.”
“To me, it didn’t feel like a contradiction – our aim was to retain the strengths of a traditional congress while reimagining the overall format. Judging by the feedback from participants, we succeeded.
Alongside new formats and a fresh visual identity, including a new name, it was especially the expo area that we developed entirely from scratch. It was intentionally designed to reflect a festival character – and that’s exactly how it came across. In particular, it appealed to colleagues with operational responsibilities. We achieved this by combining professional exchange across four stages – offering everything from live podcasts to founder-scene panel discussions – with networking and entertainment elements. From the “Logistics Escape Room Game” and theme-based “Connect Tables” to a spectacular karaoke session during the CX Party on day two, and live acts – we created a wide range of interaction opportunities throughout the expo area that offered every participant both knowledge and enjoyment in equal measure.
This mix of formats mirrors trends we’re seeing in the festival world. With CX, we’re establishing a true community event that highlights the diversity within the logistics sector in a contemporary way – all while keeping a clear focus on what matters most: the future of logistics, and the people who are shaping it.”
“Our target group includes everyone who makes and shapes supply chains: from hardcore logisticians to HR professionals, IT specialists and marketers; from team leaders to project developers at every level of seniority; from managing directors to controllers, apprentices to CEOs.
To meet the needs of such a diverse audience, it was – and continues to be – important for us, and for me personally, to view the ‘CX’ through the eyes of our participants, exhibitors and partners, and to align it with their expectations. That’s why we introduced 40 theme-based ‘Connect Tables’, a topic-driven matchmaking feature in the app, several gamification elements, live entertainment acts, a karaoke session and much more – raising the bar for networking.
With the new expo area and these fresh formats, we set out to further strengthen the link between the BVL’s network and community-building ethos and the professional relevance and future-focused themes that are key to the entire supply chain. Interaction and real-life encounters are not only the lifeblood of a modern society, but also of the supply chain community – and that’s the interactive purpose of the BVL as Germany’s logistics and supply chain network.
Despite all the changes, the high quality of the content, the fundamental idea of networking, and the Deutscher Logistik-Preis remain central to the new format. Innovation and outstanding achievements in logistics continue to be assessed by an independent jury, and the award will remain a prestigious honour with significant impact.”
“We’re proud to have revitalised the leading networking and community event of the supply chain and ushered it into a forward-looking era – something that is currently being praised time and again as ‘a great success’. Or, as one participant put it so aptly on social media: ‘After more than 40 years, BVL has reinvented its Deutscher Logistik-Kongress as the BVL Supply Chain CX."
"Through rigorous and transparent feedback analysis – and by involving our BVL network – we embraced what I mentioned earlier: having the courage to change and planning with the perspective of the target groups we wanted to welcome at the “CX”.
The result was professional, emotionally resonant, and openly inclusive spaces for encounters. We firmly believe that people need environments where exchange can happen – along with tangible points of engagement. The response we received for features like the Logistics Escape Room, the karaoke session, the Connect Tables and the event app was overwhelmingly positive. We’re taking that on board, we’re thrilled with the feedback, and we’ve already begun the initial planning stages at BVL headquarters to prepare for the upcoming “CX” in 2025.
We feel affirmed that this approach was the right one and are keen to develop it further. We’re proud to have breathed new life into the leading networking and community event of the supply chain and guided it into a future-oriented era – something that continues to be widely praised as “a great success”. Or, as one participant put it so aptly on social media: “After more than 40 years, BVL has reinvented its Deutscher Logistik-Kongress as the BVL Supply Chain CX.”
"Networking is embedded in virtually every part of the “CX” – intentionally integrated into both the congress and expo areas. We’re fully aware that participants have different expectations when it comes to networking opportunities. That’s why we created dedicated spaces like the “BaCXstage”, “Connect Tables”, an exhibitor rally, the “Logistics Escape Room”, a karaoke session during the CX Party and several live acts – all designed to offer participants a mix of professional exchange and genuine “fun zones”. These were – and will continue to be – open to all attendees of the “CX”.
In addition, we introduced the “Networking Night” in the congress area – a space created specifically for congress participants. As part of this, we set up the “Blue Angel Lounge” as a central meeting point. Here, C-level executives, top decision-makers and senior leaders were able to connect in a relaxed and private setting.
At the same time, all expo formats were also open to congress participants, which led to vibrant, active interaction across all areas of the event."
"It would be both wrong and naïve to drive change on this scale without expecting resistance or challenges along the way. Overall, we received a great deal of support and encouragement from many quarters – and we managed to overcome the hurdles that did arise.
On the one hand, we knew that the Deutscher Logistik-Kongress was so firmly established in people’s minds that not everyone would immediately grasp our vision for the “CX”. Personally, after many years of DLK routines, I also had to undergo a real mindset shift to make space for fresh ideas and impulses. This applied to all the internal dynamics within BVL and our interactions with key stakeholders – from our committees, including the Scientific Advisory Board and Executive Board, to external service providers and the various departments within our headquarters.
The obstacles we faced were more soft challenges, like time constraints, feedback loops or simply a lack of prior experience with event transformation on this scale. Thankfully, there were no major roadblocks we couldn’t overcome together. What we ultimately achieved – through close collaboration with all BVL committees, our team at headquarters, and with the support of our partners, exhibitors, helping hands and speakers on site – fills me with real pride and joy.
You’ll encounter resistance everywhere – it’s part of the process. But we succeeded by embracing the very spirit of BVL: collaboration and innovative solutions."
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