On a discovery tour through the event destination Switzerland: Event planners from the D-A-CH region and beyond were invited to get to know the sustainable event country Switzerland from September 21 to 23, 2021. The event was hosted by partners MEET EUROPE, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB), Zurich Tourism and [time change]. The three-day program revolved around the versatile event possibilities, the breathtaking nature, much-loved traditions and a whole lot of sustainability.
Moving, surprising & educational days under the motto „The (R)Evolution of Business | People, Planet & Technology“.
Well over 100 industry professionals, of which 60 % were trade visitors and 40 % exhibitors, came together in Switzerland for exclusive and intensive experience days. The program on offer was a hit: 70% of participants attended the full three-day event. 60 % of the trade visitors came from Germany, 33 % from Switzerland. Participants were even welcomed from Finland, Israel, the UK and Slovakia.
Exhibitor interest was also high for the premiere, with 73% of exhibitors coming from Switzerland, 17% from Germany and 10% from Austria.
„It was wonderful to welcome so many MICE clients and partners to the first MEET EUROPE event in Zurich. Finally, we were able to meet physically again and exchange ideas together. The mild autumn weather also helped to show other three destinations such as Engadin, Engelberg and Interlaken in the best picture. The Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) looks forward to assisting you with your next event.“ said Barbra Albrecht, head of SCIB and her team.
Three extraordinary days. And each one with its own individual charm.
At the beginning, the focus was on networking.
MEET EUROPE specifically networked German trade visitors with Swiss exhibitors. Through the use of casual modern networking formats such as Speed Geeking and Swiss Café, as well as innovative presentation formats such as Ignite, every trade visitor came into contact with every exhibitor. And all this in a very inspiring environment – located in „The Circle Convention Centre“ directly at Zurich Airport and newly opened in 2021.
„It was a diverse, surprising and very inspiring evening. I met exciting partners and take away good contacts for future projects for our agency. Great that we could be part of this event.“ – Peter Antoni, [time change].
Pure emotion on the second day.
The participants got to know the diverse infrastructure and the unique flair of the destination Zurich in one day.
The timing for the MEET EUROPE EVENT could not have been better. „We are very happy about the recent relaxations for the event sector,“ says Vanessa Reis, team leader of the Zurich Convention Bureau. „This event provides the ideal opportunity for organizers to see firsthand how Zurich has evolved over the past year and a half.“
Among other things, participants visited the world’s most sustainable building – the Umwelt Arena Schweiz. Here, the importance of e-mobility was explained and tested live – practically experienced by the participants. Crowning conclusion of the location visit – the view into the likewise sustainable kitchen enterprise – „mealworms“ and „grasshoppers dipped in chocolate“ and a stringent location concept remain truly lastingly in memory of the MEET EUROPE COMMUNITY.
The dessert brought the absolute WOW effect. Even the most experienced event planner had goose bumps when the doors to the „Lindt Home of Chocolate“ opened and the Maître Chocolatier welcomed the participants. The museum provided exciting insights into the world of chocolate. Of course, there was also plenty of opportunity for tasting. And in the „CHOCOLATERIE“, the in-house chocolate workshop, they could try their hand at creating their own chocolate.
This was followed by a tour of the brand-newly renovated and recently reopened Kongresshaus Zürich. In this attractive building directly on the shores of Lake Zurich, glamour, tradition and modernity as well as business, culture, art and gastronomy meet in equal measure.
Two historic streetcars provided exclusively for the group took the participants to the Dolderbahn, which took the guests up to the Adlisberg at 606 meters above sea level. There, a wonderful spectacle presented itself: the setting blood-red evening sun was reflected on Lake Zurich and offered a unique view of the next highlight – the leading house in Zurich – The Dolder Grand. Here, the trade visitors were treated to a typical Swiss show as well as a delicious CO2 neutral menu.
A well-rounded day through and through.
„In addition to good conversations with old acquaintances, our topic of sustainability in the MICE industry fell on open ears with all participants. This resulted in exciting conversations and a very good exchange. The program was diverse, very varied, and there were many beaming faces at the actions – especially in the Umwelt Arena in Zurich. A successful event in Switzerland! Thanks to all involved“ says Clemens Arnold, 2bdifferent and annual partner MEET EUROPE.
The third day was under the credo „The diversity of Switzerland„:
„Pure Nature“ Engadin St. Moritz“, „When Angels Travel“ Engelberg and „Eventful Interlaken – between Mountains and Lakes“ – in three individual tours the participants got to know touristic highlights of Switzerland like snow-capped peaks, palm-fringed lakeshores, historical monuments and picturesque mountain villages and visited very special destinations in Switzerland. MEET EUROPE’s mobility partner was SBB (Swiss Federal Railways).
„It was a very intense, educational and exciting three days. We are immensely proud that we received such a response despite the current challenges. A lion’s share of this success goes to our partners Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB), Zurich Tourism and [time change]. We enjoyed the cooperation very much and are already looking into new dates for next year“, says Tanja Schramm [CEO MEET EUROPE].
Impressions of the event: https://digital.meet-germany.network/event/event_switzerland_2021/recap
Photo source: MEET EUROPE / Photographers Christopher Peetz and Soeren Funk
