Settling In: Oktoberfest's New Boss Hits the Hotel Scene
Festival Organizer Transitions into Hotel Management - Oktoberfest's organizer relocates temporarily to a hotel during the festivities.
Get ready for some temporary hotel dwelling, folks! The Oktoberfest's new boss, Christian Scharpf, is settling in at a hotel during the festival's spree. Why, you ask? Practicality, as he puts it: "I've snagged a cozy room right next to the Wiesn, footing the bill myself, to ensure I can hop on scene at a moment's notice during the peak festival days."
Got an early call
Our 53-year-old SPD pal, who also took on the economics rep role in March, calls the swanky Maxvorstadt district home - not too far from the party grounds. But with the U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains often overwhelming during Oktoberfest, not to mention the jam-packed streets, schlepping to the festivities can be a pain.
As the festival manager, the day kicks off early, with a morning security briefing to keep our boy on his toes: "First stop, a security debriefing with the authorities, bright and early," Scharpf shared. After that, things speed up, as appointment follows appointment. "Keeping a clear head, staying present, and making sure operations run like a well-oiled machine is key," he added.
Modern-dayzy party king digs "Hotel Wiesn"
Scharpf's decision to grab a room near the festivities mirrors his predecessor, Clemens Baumgaertner (CSU), who started the tradition in 2022. "My pal Baumgaertner laid the groundwork, and I figured, why re-cook the soup, right?" Baumgaertner's reasoning? Swift response in case of emergencies during the wee hours. If you're the leader of the world's largest folk festival, the night sure isn't long – Baumgaertner clocked his Wiesntag at 17 or 18 hours!
- Oktoberfest
- Munich
- German Press Agency
- SPD
- Despite his modern-day status as a "party king," Christian Scharpf, Oktoberfest's new boss and SPD member, has adopted a pragmatic lifestyle by staying in a hotel next to the Wiesn, ensuring he can respond promptly during peak festival days.
- As the festival manager, Scharpf adheres to a busy social policy, starting his day with an early security briefing and managing numerous appointments, emphasizing the need to keep a clear head and maintain smooth operations, reminiscent of his predecessor's social policy of being available around the clock for emergencies.
