Christmas markets and digital agencies - do they go together? And how! We at wetalkwithyou show you the digital solutions behind the scenes of the Polarzauber at Zurich Main Station to ensure a smooth and unforgettable experience.
Christmas markets are all about twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine and handmade gifts. What few people see: the digital infrastructure in the background that ensures that thousands of visitors have a smooth experience every day.
The Polarzauber at Zurich Main Station is organized by THRYVE Group AG and we at wetalkwithyou are responsible for the complete digitalization as part of this agency group. Together with our partners Rawcut (creation, CI/CD and branding), SWISSPER (marketing) and Promotion-Tools AG (logistics), we didn't just take over a Christmas market, we reinvented it.
With over 160,000 visitors a day in the station concourse, the Polarzauber is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. And behind every shining detail is a sophisticated digital architecture. Here's a look behind the scenes of our digital work.
Christmas markets thrive on the atmosphere and interaction with visitors. We have developed interactive competitions for various stands. Visitors can take part directly on site, leave their contact details and, with a bit of luck, win great prizes.
The benefit for exhibitors: qualified leads, measurable participation rates and a fun way to get in touch with potential customers. The advantage for visitors: fun, excitement and the chance to win prizes. All without complicated paper participation requirements.
Information is everything. Especially at a large event with a changing program. Our digital signage screens are distributed across the entire Polarzauber and are controlled centrally via a content management system.
This means that changes to the program, special promotions or important announcements can be displayed on all screens in a matter of seconds. No tedious replacement of posters, no outdated information. Instead, dynamic, up-to-date communication that adapts to what is happening.
The pixel tunnel is the highlight for children and families. A magical Christmas experience full of light, emotion and fantasy. Under the title "The Lost Wish List", children accompany Bori the polar bear on a luminous mission to find the letters to Santa Claus. Light, sound and movement merge to create an interactive experience full of fantasy, team spirit and Christmas joy.
A magical experience, but one that is also logistically challenging. How do you ensure that not too many visitors enter at the same time? How do you avoid long queues?
The solution: our customized ticket booking system.
The result: a stress-free experience for visitors and an efficient process for the organizers.
Today, an event website is much more than just an information platform. It is the digital nerve center of the entire event. For Polarzauber, we have developed a comprehensive web solution that picks up both visitors and exhibitors:
These functions make the website an indispensable tool. Not only during the event, but also during preparation and follow-up.
The Polarzauber is a perfect example of how tradition and innovation are not a contradiction in terms. On the contrary: especially at large events with many visitors, digital solutions ensure that everything runs smoothly and that both guests and organizers can concentrate on the essentials: the Christmas spirit.
As a digital agency, we do not see our role as "digitizing" events, but rather enriching them with smart technology. The best digital solutions are the ones that you don't consciously notice because they simply work.
From the first ticket purchase to navigating the site and taking part in the wheel of fortune. Behind every step of the Polarzauber are well thought-out digital processes. As wetalkwithyou, we are proud to contribute with our work to making this Christmas market not only atmospheric, but also efficient and future-oriented.
