ART COLOGNE
ART COLOGNE, one of the world’s most important art fairs, has successfully fundamentally digitized and optimized its VIP services. Following the positive experience with a previously developed digital art platform, the fair once again relied on the expertise of rising systems to implement a custom-built VIP portal that combines exclusivity, usability, and efficiency.
download case study (GERMAN ONLY)
Challenges
The existing VIP portal required a comprehensive redesign and restructuring. The main reason was a user experience in need of optimization, particularly on mobile devices. In addition, the administrative backend had evolved historically within the Messe Köln context and now needed to be tailored specifically to the ART COLOGNE VIP management processes—while still ensuring seamless data exchange with existing Messe Köln applications and systems.
Furthermore, the solution had to be technically flexible: ready for short-term deployment, yet scalable and extendable in the long term.
VIP guests of ART COLOGNE—including art collectors, museum directors, and curators—have the highest expectations when it comes to service and exclusivity, while still expecting a smooth and effortless experience. The goal of the project was therefore to bring complex administrative and organizational VIP processes together in a single, intuitive digital portal.
Optimization Through Digitization
- Seamless Access Control
VIPs and their accompanying guests can quickly and securely access their tickets online or save them directly to their digital wallets—fully compatible with the overarching Messe Köln system.
- Dedicated ART COLOGNE VIP Ticket
As a homage to the former VIP cards, a custom ticket design was developed that combines nostalgic elements with modern digital functionality.
- Travel & Event Organization
VIPs can book hotel rooms, arrange transfers, and register for exclusive events—all centrally managed via the VIP portal.
- Premium Design & Ease of Use
Despite the complexity of the services offered, the portal features a clean, intuitive user experience. Design and functionality were consistently developed from the users’ perspective—optimized for both mobile and desktop use.
- New Administrative Backend
Managing several hundred VIPs and their guests has been significantly streamlined. Long-missing features were added, enabling fair staff to centrally manage guests, events, contingents, and communication flows via a single backend. The result: greater transparency, improved planning, and faster responses to changes.
- Sustainable Digital Transformation
An independent, expandable CMS for events, a ticket management system, anonymized visitor statistics, automated email services, and push notifications provide VIP relations managers with a powerful digital toolkit.
“The collaboration with rising systems was solution-oriented and forward-thinking. They actively contributed ideas and further developed our requirements. Today, our VIP portal is a digital premium service that delights our guests and noticeably simplifies internal processes. Every step is well thought out and works perfectly on both mobile devices and desktops.”