A New Era for the German Open Championships: Generational Change in Leadership

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) highlights a new chapter for one of the most prestigious events on the global DanceSport calendar. After nearly four decades of extraordinary dedication, Wilfried Scheible is stepping down as CEO of German Open Championships (GOC), handing over the reins to a dynamic new dual leadership team: Stephen Harnisch and Bernd Roßnagel.

This transition marks a significant generational change for the GOC, ensuring that the tournament’s rich legacy is preserved while opening doors to future innovation.

A New Era for the German Open Championships: Generational Change in Leadership

The End of an Era: Celebrating Wilfried Scheible’s Legacy

Wilfried Scheible has played a pivotal role in the development of the DanceSport community in Germany and internationally. Closely associated with the German Open Championships since 1987, Scheible was a visionary force behind the event’s monumental move from Mannheim to Stuttgart in 2004. This transition led to the founding of GOC GmbH, which he has successfully led as CEO ever since.

A New Era for the German Open Championships: Generational Change in Leadership

Under his guidance, the German Open Championships transformed into what it is today: a world-class, leading international event and a true pinnacle of DanceSport.

While stepping down from operational duties, Scheible will remain closely connected to the GOC in an advisory capacity, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.

"For many decades, the German Open Championships have been an essential part of my life," said Wilfried Scheible. "I feel deeply grateful, and also a little proud, to see what this event has grown into. With Stephen Harnisch and Bernd Roßnagel, I know the GOC are in the best possible hands. Both bring not only extensive experience, but also great passion for DanceSport."

A Strong Foundation for the Future: The New Dual Leadership

To effectively manage the massive scale of the modern GOC, the leadership structure will now be split into two specialized areas:

Stephen Harnisch (Organisation & Finances): A cornerstone of the GOC organizing team since 2004, Harnisch brings decades of experience in staging and evolving the event. As the former president of TSC Astoria Stuttgart, one of GOC’s founding shareholders, his financial and operational expertise will keep the event firmly on its successful track.

Bernd Roßnagel (Sporting Area): The president of Schwarz-Weiß-Club Pforzheim (a shareholder since 2023) is highly respected worldwide for his deep expertise and commitment to DanceSport. Roßnagel will take charge of the competition structures and lead the vital cooperation with national and international sports organizations.

A New Era for the German Open Championships: Generational Change in Leadership

Looking Ahead

The combination of long-standing organizational competence and deep sporting expertise provides a solid foundation for the future of the German Open Championships.

On behalf of the international DanceSport community, WDSF President Shawn Tay shared his perspective on this significant leadership evolution:

"Wilfried Scheible's leadership has been instrumental in elevating the German Open Championships to a world-class standard. The WDSF is deeply grateful for his contributions. We extend our warmest congratulations to Stephen Harnisch and Bernd Roßnagel, and we look forward to continuing our close, successful collaboration in Stuttgart."

The excitement is already building for the upcoming edition of the German Open Championships, taking place from 11 to 15 August in Stuttgart. This year’s event promises to be spectacular, playing host to the highly anticipated WDSF GrandSlam Standard and Latin series, alongside a stellar lineup of numerous WDSF categories across all age groups. Stuttgart is ready to welcome the world's elite!

A New Era for the German Open Championships: Generational Change in Leadership

Photos by Bob van Ooik.