
It wasn't just the special venue that gave the participants at PENNY's graduation ceremony a sense of elation.
Around 400 junior employees were honoured at a festive ceremony on 13 September. PENNY had chosen a special location for the event: Phantasialand in Brühl. In a place where rollercoasters usually take guests to dizzying heights, PENNY ensured that the graduates had a great time. "The junior staff can be proud of themselves. It's impressive what they have achieved, how they have developed and surpassed themselves. The ceremony is a big thank you for their outstanding performance," said Martina Weinhold, HR expert at PENNY and organiser of the ceremony.
Each graduate was personally honoured on stage
In the morning, the participants were able to experience the attractions of Phantasialand, followed by the official part with Stefan Görgens, Managing Director National Sales Department and Nico Lehm, Head of HR Disocunt National. Daniela Büchel, Head of HR at REWE Group, as well as the chairmen of the PENNY management and the works councils were also on hand to congratulate them.
Growing together and putting down roots
Each graduate was called to the stage and honoured personally. The graduates of the 2020, 2021 and 2022 training programmes, internal further training courses and the commercial specialist course were not only presented with a medal in recognition of their good performance, but also a power bank.

In addition to a medal and a power bank, the graduates also received a certificate for a tree planted in their name
In addition, the graduates each received a certificate for a tree planted in their name. Under the motto "Growing together and putting down roots", PENNY, in cooperation with the NABU Foundation National Natural Heritage, planted one tree per graduate in the "Batzlower Mühlenfließ" nature reserve in Brandenburg so that it can be reforested after a forest fire. PENNY added one tree per junior employee so that a total of 800 trees could be planted.
The participants were able to fortify themselves with a festive buffet. The subsequent party in "Wuze-Town", where the graduates were even able to ride a rollercoaster in the event location, was an exuberant celebration.
Bet that...a photo on the Instagram channel of the graduation party won't be liked 300 times... That was the bet at the party in the evening. The bet: Stefan Görgens and Nico Lehm sing karaoke in a band with other colleagues. Almost 400 likes were received and the bet was lost - the senior managers had to prove their singing skills on stage.