ILLERHAUS Marketing has secured a spot among the ten finalists for the Deutscher Netzwerk Award 2026, advancing past more than 220 nominated networks across Germany. The winner will be determined on October 31 during a live event at the Flora Cologne venue, where finalists will present their networks to an audience both on-site and via livestream.
The Deutscher Netzwerk Award was established in 2025 by Benny Schmidt and his team at Be A Star Productions. Organizers reported that nearly 10,000 votes were cast during the nomination and selection phases leading up to the final stage.
Journey to the Cologne Final
The selection process began with over 220 networks nominated nationwide. Through public voting that generated nearly 10,000 votes, the field narrowed to ten finalists.
To prepare for the final showdown, founder and owner Susanne Illerhaus and Claudia Schwebel are traveling to Cologne. On October 31, they will take the stage at the Flora Cologne to pitch the network to the gathered attendees and online viewers, who hold the voting power to select the ultimate winner.
The announcement of the final placement triggered an immediate wave of personal feedback and congratulatory messages from event planners, exhibitors, and long-standing partners. Messages such as “For us, you’re number one anyway” and “Congratulations to the star in the MICE heaven!” reached the team. For founder and owner Susanne Illerhaus, beyond the competition itself, the primary focus lies on the resonance coming from her own network.
“These messages touch me very much,” Susanne Illerhaus said. “When people write to us that we are number one for them anyway, then that is already a huge gift for me. Of course, we are looking forward to the final. And with such feedback, the placement becomes a minor matter for us.”
Connecting the MICE Industry
Founded in 2000 by Susanne Illerhaus, ILLERHAUS Marketing has operated in the meeting, incentive, convention, and event sector for 26 years. The company organizes nationwide industry meetups, fam trips, and networking formats designed to connect event decision-makers with representatives from hotels, event locations, and destinations.
Personal encounters, the exchange of experiences, and insights into event venues are intended to create new contacts and deepen existing business relationships. Through shared experiences and conversations, trust, recommendations, collaboration, cooperation, and friendships grow—often reaching far beyond the event itself.
Beyond live gatherings, the agency builds digital knowledge formats, webinars, and spotlights, alongside targeted sales and marketing activities. Under its guiding principle “WERTvoll verbunden” (Valuably Connected), the firm plans to expand its educational offerings for professional practice and personal development.
Live Event Details
- Event: Deutscher Netzwerk Award 2026 Final
- Date: October 31, 2026
- Location: Flora Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Format: Live stage presentation with on-site and livestream audience voting
- Organizer: Be A Star Productions (Benny Schmidt)
How the Deutscher Netzwerk Award 2026 Works
How many networks were originally nominated for the 2026 award?
Organizers received nominations for more than 220 networks from across Germany for the Deutscher Netzwerk Award 2026.
Who founded ILLERHAUS Marketing and when?
Susanne Illerhaus founded the Starnberg-based company in the year 2000, establishing a 26-year operational history in the MICE sector.
How is the final winner of the Deutscher Netzwerk Award chosen?
The winner is chosen via a vote conducted among the live audience in attendance at the Flora Cologne and viewers watching the official event livestream.
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