The advertising association of Hallbergmoos/Goldach specialist businesses was founded in July 1989 by fashion store manager Higgi Gruber and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Heiko Schmidt has been the first board member since 2004 and answers the most important questions about the anniversary and the upcoming bike rally in this interview.
How is the advertising association celebrating its 30th anniversary?
Heiko Schmidt: On the one hand, 30 years is the motto of the Radl Rallye and we will therefore also be giving a presentation as part of the economic summer. Of course, we will also be celebrating with our members in some way. But I don’t want to give too much away about that yet.
Why is the advertising community important for the municipality of Hallbergmoos?
Heiko Schmidt: Our slogan actually sums it up quite well. It says: “Personality creates trust”, or in other words “personally for the customer and together for the town”. The advertising community creates a network in which business people know each other well and can exchange ideas. Events organized by us show that something is happening and also ensure that the town remains attractive. The Hallberg cheques are a good example of our work. The money paid for the cheques stays in Hallbergmoos. I also think it’s very important to show personality when you open a business. It’s not about being the cheapest supplier, it’s more about quality. The Schröppel bakery, for example, has been around here for a very long time. On Sundays, customers queue right up to the street. As an advertising association, we also try to communicate this.
Who is involved in the advertising association? How many members do you have?
Heiko Schmidt: There are currently 71 members, including companies that are important for the town, integrate themselves and represent Hallbergmoos. As a company, you can’t really get past the advertising association if you set up in Hallbergmoos.
What events do you remember from your time on the Management Board?
Heiko Schmidt: 901 people took part in the bike rally in 2013. That’s quite a lot when you get so many people to get on their bikes. And also that the Hallberg cheques are so well received and that we are close to a quarter of a million in sales value. That’s really impressive.
For all those who have not yet taken part: What can you expect from the bike rally?
Heiko Schmidt: The bike rally is not about going somewhere as quickly as possible, as you might think, but about involving the member companies and allowing newcomers or long-established citizens to get to know the companies. Anyone can take part in the bike rally. As the event takes place on the first of May, the atmosphere is correspondingly relaxed. It can happen that goods or food, such as sausages, are given away and that obstacle courses are set up without further ado. The most important thing for us is that people get to talk to each other.
What other activities are organized by the advertising association?
Heiko Schmidt: After the bike rally, the duck race is planned for October and the Christmas market in December. In between, we also offer seminars for members, for example on the General Data Protection Regulation or social media.
Image material: Bike rally 2018 © Werbegemeinschaft Hallbergmoos in action
