Moving into a Hotel for Oktoberfest's Grind: Oktoberfest's New Boss Picks Up the Hotel Life
Hotel Administrator for Oktoberfest Decides to Reside On-Site - Oktoberfest Organizer Relocates to Hotel during Oktoberfest Celebrations.
Get ready for a thrilling ride, folks! The fresh face running the show at Oktoberfest, Christian Scharpf, SPD's new economic affairs officer, is diving headfirst into the festivities by cozying up in a hotel just steps away from the action. Why the temporary digs? practicality, mate: "I've snagged a room smack dab next to the Oktoberfest grounds to zip over there at a moment's notice during the chaos of the peak festival season," Scharpf said, spilling the beans to the German Press Agency.
Scharpf, a 53-year-old family man who calls Maxvorstadt district home, could simply commute via public transit. But with Oktoberfest's usual swarm of festivalgoers, crowded trains, and even snail-paced walks, the hotel option helps him beat the brewhaha and follow his schedule like a boss.
Early bird gets the worm—and the security briefing
If you thought Oktoberfest was a laid-back, sleep-in-till-noon affair, think again! Scharpf, the fest's director, starts his day bright and early—before the beer tents even open! "The first order of business is a security huddle with our safety pals in the wee hours," Scharpf noted. After that, expect a non-stop schedule of meetings, one stacked on top of the other. "Keeping my eye on the ball, being present, and ensuring everything runs smoothly is paramount," Scharpf added.
Scharpf isn't just an Oktoberfest enthusiast; he's a passionate one. He fell head over heels for the fest while studying law in Munich. "I can't imagine a more amazing workplace," he said.
Loose voice and business schmoozing
Organizational harmony isn't his only responsibility. With two weeks of businesses, associations, and organizations networking on the festival grounds, Scharpf will have plenty of faces to impress—and loud voices to project. "Chattering away in the beer tents for two weeks is gonna take a toll on my vocal chords," Scharpf warned. To ward off hoarseness, he's stocking up on throat lozenges. "But I'm looking forward to making connections," he said, grinning.
His ride of choice? Breakdance. "It's wild and fast, but not too high. I'm not afraid of heights," Scharpf said.
Following in Baumgaertner's footsteps
Scharpf's not the first Oktoberfest boss to opt for a hotel stay. His predecessor, Clemens Baumgaertner (CSU), made headlines when he took a hotel near the festival grounds in 2022. His reason? Speedy access in case of emergencies—or maybe for those late-night encounters! Baumgaertner regularly pulled 17- to 18-hour shifts, he said.
It's clear that the hotel approach has paid off for the Oktoberfest crew: hotels around Munich during Oktoberfest are fully booked, making Scharpf's strategic booking months ago a must!
- Oktoberfest
- SPD
- Munich
- German Press Agency
- Maxvorstadt
Enrichment data:
- There's scant evidence that a specific Oktoberfest lead figure—the "Wiesnchef"—routinely moves into a hotel during Oktoberfest in Munich. Instead, staff and service personnel—often referred to as "Wiesnbedienung"—may relocate to ensure proximity to the festival grounds and manage long hours.
- Hotels provide several benefits during Oktoberfest: increased proximity to the festival grounds, a comfortable place to rest, and streamlined logistics for coordinating the team.
- The new economic affairs officer for Oktoberfest, Christian Scharpf, has chosen to live in a hotel during the festival season for convenience, allowing him to quickly respond to unfolding events on the festival grounds.
- Despite the option of commuting from home, Christian Scharpf has opted for a hotel to avoid the chaos of public transportation and save time during Oktoberfest's busy season, aligning himself with his predecessor, Clemens Baumgaertner, who also chose to stay in a hotel for similar reasons.
