By Chris Griffin and Richard Fitzgerald.
Earlier this week, a few of us from the ETL team packed our bags and headed to Berlin for the European Networking Group’s Automotive Retail & Distribution Conference. It was a great chance to meet industry peers, catch up on emerging trends and take in some of Berlin’s unique charm along the way. Here’s a quick rundown of the experience.
The Journey: Manchester to Berlin (with a side of Ryanair)
We kicked things off with an early-morning flight from Manchester to Berlin via Ryanair – because nothing says “adventure” like last-minute luggage weight adjustments and awkward boarding times. Despite the usual Ryanair juggling act (and a distinct lack of sleep), we made it in one piece and ready to dive into a packed agenda.
The Food: From Burgers to Bavarian Feasts
Berlin’s food scene didn’t disappoint. We grabbed burgers at the ever-popular Burgermeister, enjoyed some comforting Italian and capped it off with a proper German evening at Lindenbräu, a traditional Bavarian restaurant. This dinner was organized by the ENG Group and included attendees from the conference – an ideal setting for relaxed conversation and lots of laughter. We rounded off the evening with rooftop cocktails at Solar Berlin Sky-Bar, soaking up panoramic views of the city and swapping stories with fellow attendees.
The Conference: Sponsoring, Showcasing & Soaking Up Insights
We were proud to be one of the sponsors of the event this year. As part of our presence, we hosted a stand in the coffee break area where attendees could stop by, grab a coffee and learn more about our solutions. Our rolling demo drew plenty of interest, offering a live look at what our technology can do for data integration, site/dealer management (including auditing) and business-level Excel data extraction and management in the automotive space.
The conference itself, held at Hotel Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, featured a wide range of presentations from across the automotive industry. From OEMs to solution providers, the insights were detailed and relevant, touching on everything from digital transformation and electrification to logistics and software innovation.
The People: Conversations that Count
One of the biggest highlights? The people. We connected with attendees from over 13 countries, each bringing their own unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in automotive. From informal chats over coffee to deeper discussions during breakout sessions, it was a fantastic chance to network and learn from others across the sector.
The City: Berlin in Between the Sessions
Of course, we couldn’t visit Berlin without a bit of sightseeing. In our downtime, we squeezed in visits to some of the city’s most iconic spots: the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Reichstag and Victory Column. Each landmark reminded us of Berlin’s rich history and how it continues to evolve, much like the automotive industry itself.
All in all, our Berlin trip was a brilliant mix of professional development, great food and meaningful connections. A big thanks to ENG for putting on such a well-organised event – we were thrilled to sponsor and be part of it. Already looking forward to what’s next!
See our full list of 2025 conferences for data management professionals.
