The Frankfurt Waldstadion has seen the big ones these days.

A few days ago, the Fantastischen Vier, Böhse Onkelz and Iron Maiden performed here.

On Sunday, thousands of football fans watched the final of the European Women's Football Championship on a big screen.

And on Friday, the stars of FC Bayern are expected at Eintracht's home game.

Falk Heunemann

Business editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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So now the leaders of the regional economy: Around 1400 entrepreneurs from the chamber district, which includes Frankfurt as well as the Hochtaunuskreis and the Main-Taunus district, met again on Monday evening, "finally", as Chamber President Ulrich Caspar emphasized.

After all, the annual reception could not take place in January as planned in the past two years due to the pandemic.

This year, the chamber had prudently postponed it to the summer, even if the number of guests was somewhat lower due to the holidays.

Caspar explained that the annual business reception was held in the stadium and not in the IHK building as usual, with construction work on the stock exchange.

But it is quite appropriate: after all, companies and sports clubs are committed to success and performance.

The fact that the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce was bathed in warm sunshine at the time he said this should not have spoiled his joy at the new celebration location.

But not only the place was unusual this time.

During the obligatory speeches, the entrepreneurs didn't just sit in a hall, but on the stands, and could watch as construction workers laid a new lawn.

"Anyone who wants to work will find work and won't let us bother them," joked Caspar as the tractors raced across the square behind him.

There were also changes to the render block.

This time only IHK President Caspar, the new Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) and finally briefly the IHK General Manager Matthias Graessle entered the lectern.

A special guest speaker like in previous years - such as the former Eintracht sports director Fredi Bobic or the Städel director Philipp Demandt - was missing, as was Frankfurt's mayor Peter Feldmann (SPD).

After all, the speeches only lasted about half a time.

In previous years it was not uncommon for overtime and beyond.

"45 minutes, we've never had that before," Graessle marveled.

After all, there will also be currywurst in the stadium, as usual at the reception on the stock exchange.

Incidentally, the sausage was made of real meat, although the President of the Chamber had just raved about how technological advances mean that meat can now also be obtained from stem cells.

“Now is not the time for ideologues”

"This is where the European top class meets," said Rhein, looking at the stadium and the members of the chamber who were sitting across from them in the stands.

As a Frankfurter, he appreciates the importance of the companies in the region, emphasized the Prime Minister, after all, more than a quarter of the Hessian economic power is generated in the Chamber district of Frankfurt.

And he knows which crises the economy is currently struggling with.

But the Ukraine war is first and foremost about war, peace and freedom, so one should not primarily talk about its economic consequences.

A remarkable indication, as Helaba's chief economist had clearly criticized the sanctions just a few days earlier.

But Rhein also wanted to signal to the entrepreneurs present that he takes their concerns about the price increases seriously.

"We will do what we can," promised the Prime Minister in the stadium.

He also promised to take the lead in expanding renewable energies.

As he made clear, he is less concerned with climate protection than with energy independence from Russia.

But Rhein also addressed the dried up forests and the consequences of the floods in the Ahr valley, but also said: "Now is the time for engineers, not for ideologues." An indication that he also advocates extending nuclear power.

The fundamental question of the exit has been decided, said Rhein.

But in these times you also have to be open to technology.

Rhein tried to take away the fear of a new corona wave and its economic consequences from the entrepreneurs.

"Everyone wants to prevent lockdowns," he said, and at the same time campaigned for politicians to constructively support the fight against corona, "The most important thing is that we then talk to each other, not about each other".

He himself is ready for it.

But there are limits to his willingness.

The Eintracht management proudly displayed the European Cup so that everyone could take a picture with it.

The eagle was also brought onto the podium to pose with the head of state.

But Rhein waved his hand clearly as determined.

He didn't want to touch the trophy either.

That must be due to the previous history, IHK General Manager Graessle suspected.

After all, it's not good for other politicians.

Peter Feldmann didn't even get the opportunity this time.

He was not unloaded, the chamber said.

As in previous years, the Lord Mayor was not invited this time either.