Karlshochschule International University

After intensive preparation, “Emerald Forest”, a Leonardo da Vinci – Transfer of Innovation project, has finally arrived in Karlsruhe. Following a preliminary meeting with all student teams in November 2011, the management game was officially opened during a Skype session with the coaches Jeroen Vinkesteijn and Corné Dijkmans from NHTV Breda last Tuesday and during the first plenary meeting at Karlshochschule today.

Emerald Forest is a virtual, internet-based simulation game modeling a holiday park. Student teams participate and compete against each other for profits and creativity points. Each team is made up of 3 to 5 students from different study programs. Together, the team develops its own strategy for managing the park, incorporates it into the project wiki and social media, presents its concept and makes corporate decisions.

The first highlight of the game was a trade fair: All participating teams presented their holiday parks. The trend in Karlsruhe goes for nature, both for health, wellness, and all kind of sports and activities. It was just awesome! Special offers and a fairytale park attracted the families. Coaches and visitors have been delighted to see the variety of themes for the park and ideas for the booths: posters, slide shows, quizzes, couches, home trainers, games of skills and a carefully decorated model of the park.

Now, the teams have to meet the high expectations they created. During the next two days, four rounds of the simulation will be run. Careful decisions on programs, investments, marketing and pricing have to be carried out. Quick reactions to unexpected situations and crisis management are necessary. At the end of the game, the teams get their last chance to catch the coaches’ and visitors’ attention and to promote their holiday parks during their Three Minutes of Fame on Friday, 3 February, at 10 am, in the Audimax.

Visitors are welcome to join us at Emerald Forest!

The winning team will participate in a European competition in Latvia in June 2012 against competitors from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands.