EXPECT. MORE.

Westfalen Sound moves into the current headquarters, entering the pop music segment, and expanding its audio systems division: Carl Cordier and his crew are making the new location the starting point for setting new standards.

For the first time, Westfalen Sound assumes full responsibility for a major event – “NRW-Fest Düsseldorf” (celebration of 40 years of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) – which permanently expands its service profile.

Carl Cordier establishes TLC Beleuchtungtechnik (Lighting Technology), appointing Jürgen Schürmann as Managing Director. This is a groundbreaking step. Jürgen Schürmann is still a shareholder and CEO of POOLgroup today.

Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann set up the production company TrendEvent* and open a branch in Frankfurt am Main – an important milestone in shaping POOL’s current technology, planning, and production-focused DNA.

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of State), the corporate group acts for the first time as general planner for the World Economic Forum in Munich. Security, precision, and diplomacy are added to the skill set.

With the founding of POOL Management Holding GmbH, Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann make a groundbreaking strategic decision: the group pools its expertise under one roof. The structures grow together – and with them, the opportunities.

POOL launches MS Video GmbH and opens the Berlin planning office. The first contract won covers planning Deutsche Telekom’s inaugural Annual General Meeting – a milestone for the corporate division.

International expansion: POOL manages tours by leading artists such as Supertramp, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, and Eros Ramazzotti, delivering an increasing number of European and American productions.

POOL is expanding, and the management is actively investing in growth: the infrastructure is growing in line with requirements, and an administration building and hall complex are being constructed at the headquarters in Emsdetten.

High-level politics: POOL is the general contractor for the G8 summit and the Council of Europe meeting in Cologne. POOLgroup establishes itself as the definitive parter for major political events.

POOL is involved in the introduction of the “Event Technology Specialist” qualification and recruits its first apprentices.

Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann decide to merge with Schallwand GmbH and focus POOL more strongly on corporate events. The group also produces technical innovations in 2003: POOL develops the LED stick.

POOL expands its premises in Emsdetten. Construction of a new rehearsal hall and expansion of the office and storage spaces creates capacity for the next chapter.

Today’s POOLgroup was created through the merger of the individual companies: Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann finally turned POOLgroup into a single company. A brand.

POOL opens a further branch in Stuttgart. The company brings design services in house with POOLcreation. Design becomes an integral part of the portfolio.

POOLgroup acquires elakustik GmbH, which focuses on conference and interpretation technology. Both political events and corporate occasions benefit from the new in-house expertise.

POOL becomes the first company in the sector to be EMAS certified and builds further office and hall space. The partnership with the Parookaville Festival begins (and still continues today).

Safety, logistics, and precision at the highest level: POOL acts as technical general contractor for the G20 summit and numerous ministerial conferences during the German Presidency.

Joel Schürmann joins POOLgroup and takes on responsibility for HR and administration. Over the years, he expands the management team to include Carl Cordier and Jürgen Schürmann, strengthening the organisational development of the company.

The COVID-19 pandemic changes the world and the global economy. POOL switches to virtual and hybrid formats and sets up TV web studios in 80% of all federal ministries, thereby establishing long-term, digital forms of communication.

POOL opens its own streaming and XR studios in Emsdetten. By the end of the pandemic, POOL delivers over 2,300 digital events and conferences.

Once again, POOL is appointed as general contractor for the G7 summit. Installing a large solar power system at the main site in Emsdetten marks an important step towards green energy and the headquarters’ energy autonomy.

The next chapter begins. The Zone opens – the first phase of POOLgroup’s events and production campus. Over time, the Emsdetten site will transform into a dynamic ecosystem, driving impact and shaping events.