Experience variety: Garden Festival of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts enthusiastic!

Experience variety: Garden Festival of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts enthusiastic!

Potsdam, Deutschland - On June 22, 2025, the large garden festival of the Chamber of Crafts took place in Potsdam, which, under the title "Experience Worlds Handicrafts", staged the diversity of the craft. Numerous guilds and craft businesses from a wide variety of areas, including bakers, butchers and carpenters, presented their work and invited visitors to participate, try and ask. The “Hau den Lukas” competition, which was looked after by the Havelland carpenter guild and provided a lot of joy among those present, was particularly popular. Robert Wüst, the President of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts, opened the event and emphasized the importance of clarity and reliability for the industry after two years of economic turbulence.

The Chamber of Crafts not only works for the visibility of the craft, but also for significant changes in the industry. Ralph Bührig, managing director of the chamber, pointed out that 43% of the companies are now facing the succession. In view of the increasing challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and digital transformation, it is crucial to look for solutions about ten years before a planned handover. The Chamber of Crafts offers numerous events and portals to help operations with the transition, which is also becoming increasingly important, since around 125,000 family businesses are faced with the need for a successor solution.

challenges in craft

More and more craft businesses are faced with the challenge of finding suitable successors. Digitization and changed consumption habits are major topics. In addition, the search for qualified specialists is more difficult than ever. According to experts, potential successors not only have to bring entrepreneurial skill, but also digital know-how. In particular, stationary trade must be reoriented in order to be able to exist in competition with large retail chains and online marketplaces. Strategies for employee loyalty and new, hybrid business models are therefore extremely important to ensure future successes.

A look at the economic overall situation shows that the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) is concerned: Jörg Dittrich, President of the ZDH, reported a loss of job of 1.4% last year and stagnating sales. Against this background, bureaucratic breakdown is urgently needed. The EU Commission recently presented a work program for 2024 that focuses on the reduction in bureaucracy and the competitiveness of the economy. Among other things, 18 new political initiatives are planned, which are primarily intended to benefit small and medium -sized companies.

outlook for the future

The proposal is particularly important to reduce reporting obligations by 25 percent, which would be enormous relief for SMEs. This also includes simplifying customs formalities in order to relieve the economy by around two billion euros. The support for young people who are supposed to develop interest in self -employment in the craft is also at the top of the agenda. Dittrich emphasizes: "If the craft is doing well, the whole country is doing well." In view of the challenges in the industry, this sentence is like a mantra that not only affects the craft but the entire economy.

Overall, the garden festival of the Chamber of Crafts shows that despite the difficulties in the craft, there is great dynamics and diversity. The event was a welcome opportunity to support local businesses and to honor their indispensable contribution to the economy. By promoting and supporting the next generation, it is possible to make a positive way for the craft.