My Experience at OMR Festival 2024 in Hamburg

For years, I had heard about the OMR Festival, a premier event in the marketing industry, and in 2024, I finally had the opportunity to attend. The festival, held on May 7th and 8th in Hamburg, was a whirlwind of activities, workshops, and networking opportunities. Here's a detailed account of my experience, along with some insights for fellow marketers.

Arrival and First Impressions

My journey to OMR started on Monday evening when my young colleague from the marketing department and I took a train to Hamburg. The excitement was palpable as we met other OMR attendees on the train, all eager to discuss what awaited us. After arriving, we checked into a nearby hotel—a pricey but convenient choice given the event's popularity.

The first task was navigating the sprawling Heiligengeistfeld area to find the registration tent. This was where we received our badges and RFID-chipped bracelets, setting the stage for the seamless experience that OMR promised.

Day 1: Diving Into the Festival

Bright and early on Tuesday, we set out to maximize our time at the festival. Our main goals were to stay abreast of the latest marketing trends, expand our professional network, and explore potential job opportunities, as both of us were nearing the end of our current contracts.

The event's organization was impressive. We had pre-registered for several workshops and strategically planned our visits to the various stands. The exhibition halls were a sight to behold, with the larger companies occupying grand, creatively designed spaces. Notably, the Glo (Vaping?) and Vodafone stands were among the most prominent.

One of the festival's key features was the ability to book appointments with major industry players. While I managed to secure several meetings, I was disappointed to find that Google's slots were fully booked early on, and their stand, which was oddly inaccessible, did not facilitate further engagement. However, a highlight of my networking experience was meeting the delightful Deborah Gorman from Meta. Her insights and energy were truly inspiring and added a valuable dimension to the event.

Workshops and Presentations

The workshops we attended were somewhat underwhelming, as they often felt more like sales pitches than educational sessions. However, the main stage presentations did not disappoint, such as the annual "State of the German Internet" speech by Philipp Westermeyer and we watched the Kim Kardashian interview via a screen retransmission. The LinkedIn presentation by Britta Behrens was a particular highlight, providing valuable insights.

We also paid a visit to the Smartly stand, a company we are currently cooperating with. Their presence and the opportunity to discuss ongoing and future collaborations added a practical aspect to our visit, reinforcing the relevance of OMR for our current projects.

Networking and Social Events

Networking at OMR was a mixed bag. Job opportunities were primarily advertised through QR codes leading to company job pages, with no on-site support, which was a letdown given our employment situations. We did manage to meet several exhibitors and visitors, which was beneficial, though the overall business value of these connections remains debatable.

Despite not having invitations to exclusive OMR parties, I was fortunate to snag a last-minute ticket to the Teddy Swims concert on Tuesday night, which was a fantastic experience. My colleague, meanwhile, had her own evening plans.

Day 2: Wrapping Up

Wednesday was a continuation of meet-ups and exploring the festival. The variety of food options was excellent, and the sunny weather allowed us to enjoy some downtime outside. The event's app proved invaluable for navigating the venues and tracking our schedules, and the RFID wristbands streamlined entry and payments.

By late Wednesday afternoon, we were on our way back home. Reflecting on the experience, I found the festival personally enriching but questioned its business efficacy. The costs and time investment might not justify the return in terms of new contacts and knowledge gained.

Final Thoughts

The OMR Festival 2024 was a memorable experience, and I'm glad I attended. It offered a deep dive into current marketing trends and provided unique networking opportunities. Meeting industry leaders like Deborah Gorman from Meta and engaging with partners at the Smartly stand added significant value. However, from a business perspective, the tangible benefits were limited, and I remain unsure if I would attend again in the future. For marketers considering OMR, it’s a worthwhile and fun personal venture but weigh the costs and potential returns carefully.