Experience diversity: Garden festival of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts inspires!

Experience diversity: Garden festival of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts inspires!

On June 22, 2025, the Chamber of Crafts' big garden festival took place in Potsdam, which charmingly showcased the diversity of crafts under the title “Worlds of Craft Experience”. Numerous guilds and craft businesses from a wide range of sectors, including bakers, butchers and carpenters, presented their work and invited visitors to participate, try things out and ask questions. The “Hau den Lukas” competition, which was supervised by the Havelland Carpenters' Guild and brought a lot of joy among those present, was particularly popular. Robert Wüst, President of the Potsdam Chamber of Crafts, opened the event and highlighted the importance of clarity and reliability for the industry after two years of economic turbulence.

The Chamber of Crafts not only advocates for the visibility of crafts, but also for significant changes in the industry. Ralph Bührig, general manager of the chamber, pointed out that 43% of the companies in the chamber district are now facing succession questions. In view of the increasing challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and digital transformation, it is crucial to look for solutions around ten years before a planned handover. The Chamber of Crafts offers numerous events and portals to help companies with the transition, which is becoming increasingly important as around 125,000 family businesses will be faced with the need for a succession solution by 2025.

Challenges in craftsmanship

More and more craft businesses are faced with the challenge of finding suitable successors. Digitalization and changing consumer habits are big topics. In addition, the search for qualified specialists is more difficult than ever. According to experts, potential successors must not only have entrepreneurial skills, but also digital know-how. Stationary retail in particular has to reorient itself in order to be able to compete with large retail chains and online marketplaces. Employee retention strategies and new, hybrid business models are therefore extremely important to ensure future success.

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

Outlook for the future

Particularly important is the proposal to reduce reporting requirements by 25 percent, which would provide enormous relief for SMEs. This also includes simplifying customs formalities in order to reduce the burden on the economy by around two billion euros. Support for young people who should develop an interest in self-employment in the skilled trades is also high on the agenda. Dittrich emphasizes: “If the trades are doing well, the whole country is doing well.” Given the challenges in the industry, this sentence is like a mantra that affects not only the craft sector, but the entire economy.

Overall, the Chamber of Crafts garden festival shows that, despite the difficulties, there is great dynamism and diversity in the craft sector. The event was a welcome opportunity to support local businesses and recognize their vital contribution to the economy. By encouraging and supporting the next generation, it is possible to create a positive path for the craft.