Behind the Scenes at the Food Garden Opening

Our team and trainee Jasmin Strozynska ensured everything ran smoothly in the background

The exclusive evening event for 1,200 invited VIPs was supported behind the scenes by our event team – with focused input during the planning process, coordination, and execution of individual program elements.

Spanning 9,000 m², the new Food Garden is now the vibrant heart of the mall. Five freestanding restaurant buildings, open and covered terraces, and landscaped green spaces offer a wide range of culinary options in an inviting setting. The opening day, staged with input from ITMS, fully captured this spirit – with tailor-made program elements, high-impact staging, and a cohesive concept that resonated with both visitors and partners.

Our event team ensured everything ran smoothly in the background. Among them: our trainee Jasmin Strozynska, who shares her personal impressions in a short interview.

Staged by ITMS: the exclusive Food Garden opening at Frankfurt’s flagship shopping mall, Main-Taunus-Zentrum

Jasmin, you were part of the ITMS event team at the opening of the new Food Garden at Main-Taunus-Zentrum. What were the highlights of the opening?

The opening of the Food Garden was a real experience – not just for the guests, but also for us as the agency team. The modern design with open terraces, the selection of eight food concepts, and the overall atmosphere really resonated with guests. There were also performers on stilts and live music that added to the atmosphere. And the final highlight: a big fireworks display that many will no doubt remember.

What was the atmosphere like on-site – among the guests, the center team, and our agency team?

The mood was consistently positive! The guests were curious, excited, and really embraced the new culinary offering. You could tell the center team was proud of this new highlight at the MTZ. As for us in the ITMS event team – of course, there were nerves, but also the excitement of seeing our weeks of preparation pay off with everything running smoothly.

From your perspective as part of the event team, what was the biggest challenge – and how did we overcome it?

The biggest challenge was definitely coordinating all the different elements – from the schedule and performers to managing the many invited guests and VIPs. As the agency, we didn’t just develop the concept, but also oversaw the complete timing and on-site execution. It was impressive to see how structured the entire team worked – together with the project lead and our event management – to deliver everything right on time.

Was there a personal moment that really stayed with you?

I had goosebumps when we walked through the fully set-up Food Garden just before the event started – everything was ready, the team was motivated, and the first guests were already approaching. I knew then: this is it – we’ve really pulled off something special.

And when the fireworks lit up the clear night sky later on, it was the perfect finishing touch. In that moment, everyone knew the event had been a complete success – and we in the team felt the tension fall away. It was just a beautiful, emotional conclusion.

The final highlight: a big fireworks display that many will no doubt remember

What did you personally take away from the day – especially as a trainee working on such a large-scale project?

I learned a lot – especially how important organization, clear communication, and teamwork are for an event of this scale. What was really exciting for me was being involved hands-on, from coordinating with suppliers to assisting on-site. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust placed in me as a trainee and the opportunity to take on responsibility. It’s an experience that really motivates me for the next projects!

Catch our story on the Food Garden opening in the new LinkedIn newsletter — and hit subscribe to stay in the loop.