"We create emotional experiences that inspire"

Interview with Oliver Forster, CEO of COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co. KG

Oliver Forster, CEO of COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co. KG
Oliver Forster, CEO of COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co. KG

COFO Entertainment is celebrating its 25th anniversary and looks back on an impressive success story. Founded in August 1999 by Oliver Forster, the company has developed into one of the leading organizers in the German-speaking area. With a diverse portfolio ranging from concerts of international stars to innovative touring exhibitions, COFO Entertainment has continually set new standards. In the interview, CEO Oliver Forster shares insights into the milestones of the company's history, the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and the ambitious plans for the future.

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Forster, COFO Entertainment is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. How did it all start?

Oliver Forster: COFO was founded by me in August 1999. At that time, at 21 years old, I was the youngest concert promoter in Germany. My father had run a concert agency for 30 years, so I basically grew up in this industry. Even as a little boy, I accompanied my parents to events and thus learned the world of concert planning from the ground up. This familial network and long-standing relationships made it significantly easier for me to enter the industry.
 

COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co.KG David Garrett
David Garrett at one of his concerts, organized by COFO Entertainment

Wirtschaftsforum: What have been the milestones in the history of COFO Entertainment?

Oliver Forster: In the last 25 years, there have truly been countless significant events. We organized concerts with international stars like Elton John, Eros Ramazzotti, and David Garrett, produced our own dinner show with star chef Alfons Schuhbeck, and have created and established our market segment with the so-called musical biographies. With productions like 'Elvis – The Musical', 'Simply The Best – The Tina Turner Story', and 'Beat It! – The Musical about the King of Pop!', we have achieved considerable success. Furthermore, in recent years, we have increasingly focused on traveling exhibitions, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. This diversification has helped us remain stable even in tough times.

Wirtschaftsforum: What other areas does COFO Entertainment now cover?

Oliver Forster: In addition to the classical concerts and musicals, we have greatly expanded the area of so-called Touring Exhibitions. These include immersive exhibitions with digital image worlds of Van Gogh, Klimt, or Dalí and our self-produced exhibitions 'The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind' about the street-art superstar Banksy as well as the world’s best-known and most-visited anatomy exhibition 'Body Worlds' by plastinator Gunter von Hagens, along with the family amusement park Dinoland. The diversity of our offering from A like Exhibition to Z like Circus makes us unique in the event industry.
 

COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co.KG Van Gogh
Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience: a digital exhibition experience, presented by COFO Entertainment © Dominik Gruss

Wirtschaftsforum: How did COFO Entertainment fare during the coronavirus pandemic?

Oliver Forster: The pandemic was a major challenge, but also an opportunity for innovation. While live concerts were not possible, we were able to continue and even expand various exhibition formats under certain conditions. This has helped us to survive the crisis and even open up new business areas. Thanks to the continuous development and diversification of our offerings, we were even able to continue working during the pandemic and expand our team. Today, we employ about 30 permanent staff in Passau, and together with the exhibitions, parks, and musicals, we have up to 90 employees at peak times.

Wirtschaftsforum: How are you addressing the skill shortage in the industry?

Oliver Forster: The skill shortage is a major issue. We rely on hybrid working models, work-life balance, and a corporate culture where our employees feel comfortable and valued. Specifically for young talent, we have developed a trainee program where they can get to know different areas and develop further. Our 'Jump-Start Academy' offers young professionals the opportunity to qualify comprehensively and become part of our dynamic team.
 

COFO Entertainment GmbH & Co.KG Bansky
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind: the world's largest presentation of Banksy art, produced by COFO Exhibitions © COFO Entertainment

Wirtschaftsforum: How important is sustainability for your company?

Oliver Forster: Sustainability plays an increasingly important role for us. We try to act sustainably wherever possible. Our artists mostly travel by bus, and we rely on recyclable packaging and reusable dishes for catering. We also focus on sustainable solutions when choosing our locations and in the production of our exhibitions and shows.

Wirtschaftsforum: What is your long-term vision for the future of the company?

Oliver Forster: In the long term, we want to be the number one in the minds of potential customers when it comes to events and immersive experiences. With our expertise and innovative approaches, we aim to gain a real and above all sustainable competitive advantage in the market. Additionally, we plan to expand our international activities and enter new markets. At the same time, we want to further strengthen our position as a leading organizer in the German-speaking region. A major goal is to integrate our various business sectors even more strongly and to advance them technologically. Topics like AI and augmented reality play an important role in this. We aim to continue creating high-quality and emotional experiences that excite our audience. A special highlight is our pop-up concept that combines graffiti, street art, and pop art, which will soon be presented in Hamburg and other cities.