The special guest on Friday evening was internationally renowned violinist David Garrett and his orchestra. Pop group Pur set the mood for a first-class party on Saturday.
On Friday evening, Paul Gauselmann was joined by long-standing associates in the 6,000 m² marquee. Guests included representatives from the worlds of politics and business, the gaming machine industry, clients, family and close friends. Saturday was reserved for the company’s employees. Paul Gauselmann was greeted with standing ovations on both evenings. Jan Hofer was a charming and ever-professional host throughout the celebrations.
The company
founder recalled his unique, 60-year history with the company, which began with
a crossed bill of exchange for DM 100,000 and 17 jukeboxes. Today, the company
is a global player and a market leader in the gaming machine industry with more
than 12,000 employees and a volume of business worth approximately EUR 2.5
billion in 2016.
"In 2017, for the first time, the company generated more sales abroad without
losing sight of the domestic market. We are the market leader in Germany and
will remain so”, said Paul Gauselmann. He thanked everyone who had accompanied
him on the journey and who had remained at his side to this day – "above all,
my large family of whom I am very proud”.
On Friday evening, Michael Gauselmann, one of the entrepreneur’s sons, gathered
together his brothers, their families and their children on the stage. He
turned to his father, saying: "We are proud to be your family and we are very
happy to be able to celebrate with you here today.”
Several speakers also praised Paul Gauselmann’s life’s work.
These included Garrelt Duin, former Minister for Economic Affairs in North
Rhine-Westphalia. Other speakers included Elmar Brok, a member of the European
Parliament, and Georg Stecker, Chairman of the Board of Die Deutsche
Automatenwirtschaft e.V., an umbrella organisation for the gaming machine
industry.
A special premiere was also celebrated in the marquee: a biography of Paul
Gauselmann – The Games Maker – Paul Gauselmann, written by journalist Barbara
Dickmann – was launched on the night. Instead of presents, Paul Gauselmann
requested donations to Vita e.V. Assistenzhunde, a charity of which Dunja
Hayali is a patron.
On Saturday evening, together with Chairman Armin Gauselmann, Paul Gauselmann presented awards to more than 120 long-standing employees, including those who were celebrating their 45th anniversary with the company.
During the day on Friday and Saturday, many employees and invited guests enjoyed the celebrations in the large tented village, which measured a total of 36,000 m². On Sunday, it was open to the public. Several thousand people availed of the opportunity to visit. In addition to an exhibition tent housing 17 stands manned by the various subsidiaries of the Gauselmann Group, visitors also enjoyed attractions such as a Ferris wheel, bouncy castles, free tours of the factory and several catering tents. A variety of music acts and a diverse programme also featured on the outdoor stage.
Source: GMB
