Artificial Intelligence, Real Prospects
Düsseldorf's Business Community Discusses AI
How is artificial intelligence changing hotel searches, trade show attendance, and destination marketing?
This question was the focus of Orange Thursday – AI Edition on October 8, 2026. The Zipper Hotel & Apartments hosted the event in its Community Space and on the rooftop terrace on the 13th floor.
Guests from Düsseldorf’s business and events scene, including Pixolith, D.LIVE, CIDEON, and the management team of Schön Klinik, learned about the latest developments in the field.
Steven Nicolosi and Fabian Schwanebeck, founders of the online marketing agency Echtzeitlos, kicked off the event.
Hotel Search: Four Stages Where AI Plays a Role in Decision-Making
Using a hotel search as an example, the speakers highlighted four points at which AI influences guests' decisions.
- The process often begins with Google, where users expect quick, AI-powered answers; the first impression is therefore crucial.
- Next comes the hotel website, which, as the “source of truth,” must provide structured and up-to-date data for both guests and AI systems.
- Chatbots then answer questions around the clock in multiple languages and assist with bookings.
- Finally, Phone AI, Mail AI, and automated review management ensure that no inquiry is lost.
Trade Show: Follow-up as the Most Powerful Tool
The speakers applied the same model to visiting trade shows.
According to this model, visitors describe what they’re looking for; a bot suggests suitable exhibitors, presentations, and appointments and books meetings, so that exhibitors receive pre-qualified leads.
Nicolosi and Schwanebeck see the greatest potential after the trade show: AI-powered meeting notes, personalized follow-up emails, and lead analysis address the very areas where most contacts are lost today.
The conversation itself remains personal, as people continue to be the deciding factor when it comes to trust and atmosphere.
Location Marketing: Those Who Are Found Are Visible
From this, the speakers drew a conclusion that applies to the entire location.
Location marketing makes a city attractive as a whole—for guests, visitors, businesses, and skilled workers; hotels, trade shows, restaurants, culture, and businesses collectively shape the city’s image.
AI does not recommend individual websites but provides an answer. Those who appear in the results are part of the selection; those who are missing do not exist for the decision-making process.
A location is therefore as visible as the sum of its stakeholders, and all of them need up-to-date, consistent information that AI can find and understand.
Conversation on the rooftop terrace
Afterward, the guests enjoyed finger food on the rooftop terrace, which offered a view of the Rhine and the skyline, as they reflected on the presentation.
A guided tour of the apartments provided insight into the property, and the small, intimate setting fostered direct interaction.
The Zipper thanks the speakers and all guests for attending and is using this evening as an opportunity to ensure that information about The Zipper Hotel & Apartments remains consistently up-to-date for both guests and AI systems.
Discover even more The Zipper Blog, News & Events
In The Zipper’s Blog & Events section, you’ll find more exciting posts about Düsseldorf, our community events, and the world of hospitality. Get inspired and stay up to date with the latest stories and highlights from The Zipper.