This year's series of DZ HYP's annual kick-off events came to a successful conclusion on January 25 with the New Year's Reception at Frankfurt's Palmengarten. More than 2,000 guests accepted the invitations to Hamburg, Munich, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and the Main. With the New Year's receptions, DZ HYP, together with various real estate industry associations and co-organizers, has established a format that focuses on personal exchange among real estate industry players. At all locations, it was clear how valuable this networking is, especially in the current challenging times.

In addition to the countless conversations among the guests, a keynote speech was on the agenda at all events. Prof. Dr. Marcel Fratzscher, one of the country's most influential and well-known economists, kicked things off in Hamburg. He highlighted the opportunities and challenges presented by the three major areas of transformation: globalization, technology and society. This was followed by Prof. Dr. Alena Buyx, who gave the participants in Munich valuable food for thought on the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. Although she highlighted the risks, such as counterfeiting or "fake news", she particularly emphasized the opportunities.

Industries and employees would be supported, not replaced, by the use of artificial intelligence. The emotive intelligence of people, shaped by experiences, emotions and feelings, cannot be replaced by AI, at best it can be simulated at some point.Finally, guests in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Frankfurt were able to enjoy a lecture by the gifted speaker and neurologist Prof. Dr. Volker Busch at three locations.Under the title "Cheer up!How we can shape the future if we remain confident", he encouraged his audience to take decisive action - especially in times of crisis.

We would like to thank our co-organizer GSK Stockmann in Munich and all participating real estate industry associations and organizations. See you next year.