The Founders’ Interview

Two decades ago, what started as two young freelancers joining forces has grown into a company that shapes some of the most memorable events in Europe. In this conversation, founders Thorsten and Patrick share how it all began, what drives them, and why their values still guide every project today.

You started out as a duo in the early 2000s. What motivated you back then?

Patrick: “Thorsten and I had already spent years in the event industry – working as freelance production managers and account leads, often called in when things were on fire. At some point, we didn’t want to just be the firefighters anymore. We wanted to shape events from start to finish – to influence the concept, the planning, and the execution.”

How did that turn into a joint venture?

Thorsten: “Pretty simple: we decided to join forces. Two freelancers became a team that knew from day one we could achieve more together. That’s how the idea for our shared office came about – and with it, the foundation for U-N-D.”

Where did the name ‘United Network Development’ come from?

Thorsten: “United’ stands for togetherness – because only as a team can you move mountains. People are at the heart of everything we do.
‘Network’ reflects the strong network of professionals and experts we rely on. We’re not know-it-alls, and we’re very aware of that – but we know who the experts are and how to bring them on board for complex, exciting projects.
And ‘Development’ is about growth – from day one, our goal was to develop projects in partnership with our clients.
That’s how United Network Development – U-N-D – was born.”

What exactly are those values?

Thorsten: “Trust, solidarity, and humanity aren’t just buzzwords for us – they’re a mindset. Every project helps us grow personally as well. That’s a part of the journey we really value.”

You talk about making visions tangible. What does that mean in practice?

Patrick: “It means creating experiences that stick. Whether it’s a concert on the Zugspitze summit, a tent city for a beach party, or a dealer convention on a ranch – we turn ideas into something you can actually experience. We bring hundreds of thousands of people together to celebrate, and we breathe life into conferences across spaces of more than 100,000 square meters.”

After all these years, are you still hungry for new challenges?

Thorsten: “Absolutely. We love complexity – the kind of projects that demand courage, heart, and brains. We’ve stayed curious, and that’s what keeps us sharp and energized.”

Do you have a motto that guides your work?

Patrick: “Not a specific one, but if we had to put it into words, maybe something like: ‘Professionalism needs soul – precision alone isn’t enough.’ At the end of the day, it’s always about people – the ones we work with and the ones we work for. Projects that make an impact.”