Karres Development Advisory

▼Market Entry Services▼Area Marketing and City Strategy

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If real estate is your business, the Ruhr Metropolis in Germany is the place to be!
Germany’s biggest ‘city of cities’, with over 5 million inhabitants, lies just around the corner and offers unique development and investment opportunities in this world of low interest rates and overheated A-locations. Get acquainted with the area and its current and future urban projects.

On behalf of its German partner Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH, Karres-ARCUSplus would herewith like to bring this event to your attention. Are you anxious to learn about the details? Then join this free webinar on Friday January 22, 2021, starting at 10:00. Hear all about the Ruhr’s most striking urban development projects, the experience of Dutch professionals and also meet the decision makers behind the scenes.

The following information will be provided:

  • A clear insight in the development plans and investment opportunities in the area
  • Relevant time schedules and framing conditions linked to these developments
  • How exactly can you get involved?

"The Ruhr Area exists of a great diversity of markets, which can be served by different real estate products. The Dutch can "conquer"the Ruhr area with creative food for thoughts!"
Mr. Han Joosten, BPD Duitsland

Webinar program:

  • Opening – welcome by Rasmus C. Beck, CEO of Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH
  • Attractiveness of the Metropole Ruhr for Benelux real estate professionals Keynote address by Han Joosten, Head of Site Development & Research, Bouwfonds Property Development (BPD)
  • Profiles of urban development projects – presentations by city authorities:
  • Mark 51°7, City of Bochum: Industry-, technology- and knowledge-campus for modern urban working
  • Forell Quarter, City of Herne: Urban location for technology and services between Castle and waterfront
  • gate.ruhr, City of Marl: Large plots of industrial land with excellent connection via rail, canal and motorway, adjacent to the well established Marl Chemical Park
  • Neue Zeche Westerholt, Cities of Gelsenkirchen and Herten: Conversion of a former coal mine into an innovative urban quarter with historic charme for housing, services and light industry
  • Speed dating on the platform Matchmaker.Ruhr

The webinar will be broadcasted live (in English) on the digital innovation platform Matchmaker.Ruhr.

A completed user's profile will allow you to directly contact the decision makers behind the four development projects to request personal 15-minute one-on-one video chats (speed dating).

For further information click here

January 2021

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Your FDI marketing strategy: Getting the right mix

In a session on 29 March 2018 in Maastricht I have looked into developing a marketing plan, focusing on strategy, tools and budgeting tips for FDI marketing professionals. The session will covered components found in an economic development annual marketing plan and present perspectives on marketing’s role in FDI, including insights in social media and communications.

Ambitious FDI marketing professionals joined this presentation at the International Conference on Foreign Direct Investment, Extra Energy for Economic Expansion, at MECC Maastricht – The Netherlands.

April 2018


Dick de Jong en Marcel Karres: joint force for the marketing of city and region

Germany Land of Ideas, Brainport, Health Valley, Holland City. countries, regions and cities position themselves.

How to do that with focus and successfully? A theme is often chosen, deep understanding from a marketing perspective is not always present. External developments and changing competition require self-awareness about the own strengths and demand for effective cooperation. Dick and Marcel support successful activities with an eye for the market, identity and brand of the city and region.

An analysis is made with the Brandaris Brandbuilding model which we position in an external environment of drivers of companies, visitors and residents at different levels: locally, regionally, (inter) nationally. Analysis, feasible marketing plan and concrete support contribute to the attractiveness of city and region.

Dick de Jong (+31651703076) has experience with the marketing of among others, Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Enka, Food Valley, Achterhoek, Leeuwarden

Marcel Karres (+31630082209) has international experience with competitiveness, investment promotion and location and site selection among including Korea, Germany, Delft, Province of Gelderland, Port of Amsterdam

February 2018