Interview with market hall manager Petra Mariner: She is the new glue in the Innsbruck market hall
The BezirksBlätter asked Petra Mariner, the new market hall manager in Innsbruck, why she wanted the job and what makes the market hall so unique.
AREA: Why did you want this job?
Petra Seemann: I was looking for a specific challenge. I didn’t want to go to an office where I write concepts that end up in some drawer. This work makes maximum sense to me. It has to do with food cycles, with value chains, with regionality. It has to do with farmers. I come from a farming family. It has always been important to me that farmers are recognized for their work.
Is there a construction site that already catches your eye?
Something very central that I’m still missing is a meeting zone where you can be without being forced to consume, but also with the option of consuming everything that’s available in the hall. I will work for that. To what extent that is even possible – there are also economic considerations – is also a question.
What are your specific tasks?
The communication in the hall and then the marketing to the outside. The goal is to increase frequencies and generate new customer segments, because a survey clearly shows that seventy percent of regular customers are over seventy.
Marketing strategies cost money. How much is available?
I’m not allowed to answer that. There is a specific budget. There were even brief considerations of cutting the budget, although that is now off the table. It doesn’t always have to be the bus advertising. I am a frugal person who thinks sustainably. It doesn’t always have to cost money.
Is it true that this is a 25 hour job?
Yes, that’s right. It’s so covered now. But if we achieve our frequency targets and there is a lot of work to do, then there is potential for improvement. It doesn’t fail me.
What makes the market hall unique?
The market hall here in the center of the city has an unbelievable unique selling proposition – this colorful hustle and bustle of the market that reigns here. And that is enough.
Isn’t that also the problem of the market hall? Colorful stands, different expectations?
Of course everyone has their own interests, there is also a competitive spirit – after all, they are all individuals, that’s how it should be – but develop a common vision and jointly pursue a goal that is in everyone’s interest – increasing frequency – then it will work.
A problem child of the market hall is that little happens during the week. Do you have any idea?
Lots of ideas are floating around. Not only for me, but also for the entrepreneurs in the company. It is important for me to find a way together. I invite all entrepreneurs after 6.1. that we sit together, do a structured strategy development process and then agree on a common path where everyone is behind it – that’s the only way it can work.