History

A success story from the Münsterland region

Nearly 50 years of event history…

RAPID GROWTH FROM THE VERY BEGINNING

It all started in 1978 when Carl Cordier established Westfalen Sound, a company providing audio systems. It quickly made a name for itself far and wide, primarily thanks to its investment in innovative technology to provide outstanding quality. The company soon went on tour nationwide with renowned artists such as Udo Lindenberg – a customer from the very beginning – Peter Alexander, Howard Carpendale, Rod Stewart, and Supertramp. The company grew quickly and began organizing all kinds of events beyond live music.

FROM A SOUND SPECIALIST TO AN ALL-ROUND SERVICE PROVIDER

In 1986, Westfalen Sound acted as the general contractor for a major event for the first time. It was an initial spark that led to further development into a group of companies: additional business sectors were established, so all related event services could be offered from a single source. At the beginning of the 1990s, we gradually started building specialist teams for lighting, video, organization/production, and event design.

BECOMING AN ESTABLISHED GROUP AND A POWERFUL BRAND

The next big step occurred in 2009: the companies within the group, which had been operating under their own identities until then, were brought together as the new POOLgroup. The aim was to further strengthen collaboration between the individual businesses, to create new synergies, and to establish the “POOL” brand as a sign of expertise and quality across all sectors of the event business. The company’s subsequent success has proved this was the right strategy.

CHRONOLOGIE: DIE WICHTIGSTEN EREIGNISSE IM ÜBERBLICK

`78

Company sets up in Ibbenbüren

In 1978, the company is established in Ibbenbüren under the name "Westfalen Sound".
`79

Large investment in Martin Modular PA systems

In 1979, the company invests in Martin Modular PA systems – at the time, the most modern technology on the market.
`81

Move to current premises in Emsdetten

The company moves to its current premises in Emsdetten in 1981. The very first gigs and tours feature, among others, Inga Rumpf and Peter Alexander. In the subsequent years, tours take place with Rod Stewart, Howard Carpendale, Udo Lindenberg, James Brown, Mike Oldfield, Jethro Tull, Diana Ross, Peter Maffay, and many more.
`86

“40 Years of NRW” celebrations

For the first time, Westfalen Sound acts as the general contractor for a major event. An idea takes shape: diversification into related markets and further development to form a group of companies.
`89

The Light Concept (TLC) is founded

TLC is founded in 1989 as an independent company – it later turns into our lighting division.
`91

Trend*Event established

Trend*Event is established in 1991 to design and produce events – one of the first professional event planners in Germany.
`92

Integration of Schallwand GmbH

In 1992, Schallwand GmbH becomes a member of the group. Schallwand GmbH serves the national rock & roll sector, while Westfalen Sound primarily focuses on corporate events and the international entertainment market.
`95

The V-DOSC system

In 1995, Westfalen Sound shows its innovative spirit and entrepreneurial bravery. It pioneers the use of a completely new technology in Germany and around the world: The V-DOSC system is the first line-source array to be successfully introduced onto the market.
`96

MS Video GmbH established

MS Video GmbH is set up in 1996 to specialize in electronic media technology. This means that, for the event business, every skill and trade can be obtained from a single source.
`97

Almost 100 concerts around the globe

1997 sees almost 100 concerts around the globe: the Supertramp tour sets a new record for the company. The tour and the V-DOSC system used for the show are a great success.
`98

International tours

In 1998, the company goes on tour around the world with Eros Ramazzotti, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Mike Oldfield, and many more.
`99

New surroundings

In 1999, construction begins on new offices in Emsdetten, which are still in use today.
`00

Apprenticeships in event technology launched

POOLgroup plays a key role in establishing an apprenticeship in event technology and leads the way in developing training content. Over the years, we have trained around 130 young specialists in this profession of the future.
`03

POOL develops first, exclusive product

In 2003, Westfalen Sound merges with PA systems specialist Schallwand, which was previously run as an independent company. Under the umbrella of Westfalen Sound, all customers are once again served from a single source. The year also sees the launch of POOL's first exclusive product. Developed by our in-house experts, LED sticks create completely new lighting accents never seen before on stage. Herbert Grönemeyer uses them first to great effect on his "Mensch" tour and, in the meantime, LED sticks are now the standard lighting system for many productions worldwide.
`05

Partnership with Meyer Sound

In 2005, Westfalen Sound starts using products from Meyer Sound – a leading supplier from the USA. With over 600 units from the range to hand, multiple large-scale projects can be supplied at the same time.
`07

G8 summit in Heiligendamm

The companies that now comprise today's POOL Group are appointed as general contractor for 2007's G8 summit in Heiligendamm. And, at the Emsdetten site, multipurpose studio and seminar facilities are opened.
`08

30th Anniversary

POOLgroup celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2008! And the group of companies is once again present on the international stage thanks to, among many other things, Metallica's stadium tour.
`09

The POOLgroup is born

The individual companies merge in 2009 to form the POOLgroup – a future one-stop shop for events of all sizes. What's more, the newly established POOLcreation division brings together a wealth of design expertise.
`10

Creating and coordinating content

In 2010, for the first time, POOLcreation and POOLpicture take over both content creation and coordination for many events, including for the "Future Show" at Bertelsmann's Management Meeting.
`11

Cutting-edge innovation

In 2011, POOLgroup once again demonstrates how closely the company is linked to cutting-edge innovation: At the MAN Summit in Munich, we are the first to integrate Apple iPads so delegates can actively interact with a multimedia presentation. POOLgroup is also the general contractor for the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the opera "Grace" for Princess Grace in Monaco.
`12

Lighting studio opens in Emsdetten

Our lighting studio in Emsdetten is completed in 2012. Thanks to these new facilities, pre-production for large festivals featuring gigantic light and video effects can begin.
`13

Laser Battens launched

Another example of POOLGroup's innovative strength – "Laser Battens": 1 meter long light sticks with 10 laser sources that create completely new effects. They are quickly embraced by the market and frequently used in TV productions such as the Grammy Awards.
`15

G7 Summit at Schloss Elmau

Another G7 summit is held in Germany – this time at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria. And once again – for the fourth time – POOLgroup acts as general contractor to ensure that everything goes smoothly in terms of organization, technology, and logistics.
`16

Exploring Virtual Reality

Even before the technology is completely ready for the market, POOLgroup starts working with Virtual Reality in 2016. As a result, we are one of the first companies in the sector to use it as a presentation medium.
`17

G20 Summit in Hamburg

POOLgroup organizies a G20 Summit in Germany for the first time as a general contractor.
`18

40th Anniversary

40 years since Westfalen Sound was founded. The POOLgroup celebrates its Ruby Anniversary!
`19

POOLgroup logistics

In June 2019, the former Spedition Helming GmbH starts operating under the name POOLgroup logistics GmbH. The company continues to operate as an independent company, but is clearly recognizable as a subsidiary of POOLgroup.
`20

Digital conferencing during the pandemic

At the very start of the COVID pandemic, POOLgroup adapts its portfolio of services and is one of the first companies in Germany to offer professional studios to stream digital events. Among other things, several studios are set up in Berlin to support the German Presidency of the EU Council.
`21

Alternative digital events

2021 saw continued demand for diverse digital events across all the markets served by POOLgroup. In addition to virtual political conferences – covering venues such as the German Chancellor's office or POOLgroup's hybrid studios at the Grand Hotel Esplanade in Berlin – and digital versions of festivals and concerts, numerous online corporate events were produced at POOLgroup's extended reality studio at our headquarters in Emsdetten.
`22

G7 Presidency / POOLgroup becomes more self-sufficient

With the end of the pandemic lockdown, POOLgroup gets back to staging live festivals & concerts, in-person corporate events & conferences, and trade fair stands – including international concert tours and every conference as part of Germany's G7 Presidency in 2022. At the same time, POOLgroup invests in solar power to supply its main site with its own electricity, including charging stations for hybrid vehicles. This marks another important milestone in making the site more self-sufficient.