More than 1,000 events, two books, countless wow moments: Nadja Kahn knows every facet of the event world – and she loves them all. Dirk Albertsfrom fiylo met her at the KahnEvents office in Hamburg.
fiylo: Dear Nadja, looking back on 22 years of running KahnEvents, what has shaped you most?
NK: Dealing with the pandemic was the most significant event for me. In a very short time, we developed our “OnlinePartyBox” concept, with which we essentially sent the shared experience of an event to people’s homes, and offered a suitable “online venue” to go with it. After two years of the pandemic, we had shipped around 40,000 packages and run more than 200 online events.
What matters most to me is that we always find solutions. And that time brought us together enormously as a team!
fiylo: What motivated you to join the jury of the Location Award 2025?
NK: To appreciate good work and talk about it!
fiylo: How would you describe the selection process within the jury – what matters most in the assessment?
NK: For me, the general impression of the venue is very important – its state of upkeep and the general hard facts. But the flexibility and service mindset of the team behind the venue are also very important!
fiylo: Are there criteria that are particularly important to you personally when assessing an event venue?
NK: For me, beyond the shell of the venue, the spirit that lives inside it is essential. What is the attitude of the staff like? What service mindset is lived?
fiylo: You have already been on the Location Award jury several times. Which part of the jury work is particularly important to you?
NK: Visiting the nominated finalists in person is particularly important to me. Because a large part of our job has to do with how we deal with each other personally. So we’re back from the shell to the spirit…..
fiylo: What trends are you currently seeing in the event and venue industry?
NK: Clearly sustainability, because clients demand it. But I still notice too much “greenwashing” in the industry.
fiylo: How important is sustainability to you when assessing venues?
NK: It is an important part, and it is becoming increasingly significant. What I mean is that there are already great concepts, and they deserve to be showcased.
fiylo: What would you like to contribute to the industry with your jury work?
NK: That lighthouse projects continue to get attention, even if they are difficult and need time to get going. For me, these include projects like the Hamburg BUNKER.
fiylo: Do you have a personal favorite venue abroad that has made a lasting impression on you?
NK: This doesn’t answer your question directly, but for me the most beautiful venue is still nature! That’s where I have been able to create and experience the most beautiful and impressive events – such as a buffet on the mudflats.
Source: fiylo News, 9 July 2025 (translated from German)