Switzerland always feels like a sweet reward

Every summer, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau organises the Switzerland Meeting Trophy, an unconventional rally that brings together meeting and incentive specialists and international media representatives to showcase what country has to offer as a MICE destination. Having won last year’s Trophy, Team Belgium was recently back in Switzerland to claim a fun weekend trip as their prize. 

Jesús Guerrero Chacón reports

Last year, I was lucky enough to be a member of the winning team in the 12th edition of this unmissable summer event that gave 78 participants the chance to learn more about the country. It was the fourth time that Team Belgium has won the Trophy since the event was first launched in 2005 It was wonderful for me and my team mates to get together again this past February to claim our prize: a weekend getaway in a stunningly beautiful part of Switzerland.

In Switzerland, it’s easy to get anywhere on time with its superb railway network. After we landed in Zürich International Airport, we headed to the country’s medieval capital, Bern.  Not only declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city has also many things to offer to meeting planners looking to organise their next meetings in a traditional yet modern setting. Designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Zentrum Paul Klee is much more than a museum dedicated to the artist’s work; it also offers notable venues for small and larger groups up to 300 guests in an arty atmosphere. The Zentrum’s design is intended to melt with Bern’s surrounding hills, which can be admired from the nearby Schöngrün restaurant. Also noteworthy are Kursaal Bern, the largest congress centre throughout the entire Bern region, featuring 27 spacious rooms accommodating with up to 1,500 delegates. The state-of-the-art building also includes the 4-star Hotel Allegro with 171 rooms. Both the congress centre and hotel enjoy a spectacular view of the city centre while offering high degrees of flexibility in hosting a big variety of events.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Kursaal Bern across the Aare River passing the typical Bernese lanes lined with arcades is Kornhauskeller, a traditional restaurant not to be missed for its authentic ambience in the historic centre, making it an ideal place for delegates to meet while tasting the regional cuisine.

Just a short train ride away from Bern, the imposing Jungfrau region has a lot to offer to incentive and meeting planners. The Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken, located within walking distance from the largest hotels in the area, has a capacity for more than 1,500 delegates. The beautiful Belle Époque building was once the casino of Interlaken and nowadays is a dedicated and flexible congress centre ideal for those who want to combine congresses and post-congress activities with a stunning view of the mountains. Under its roof lies the restaurant Spycher, where delegates can sample Swiss fondues while experiencing a folkloric show and traditional music. The crown jewel of Interlaken is the 5-star Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, offering 224 rooms and 20 conference rooms for up to 400 delegates in perfect décor and glamour.

The Jungfrau Region is a well-known ski where the sportiest delegates can enjoy post-congress activities. Nevertheless, there is something for everyone, from enjoying the panoramic view of the Alps to visiting the Alpine Sensation Museum to admiring the ice sculptures in Ice Palace and glaciers at the Sea of Ice at the Jungfraujoch, “the Top of Europe”. A perfect getaway for those delegates who don’t ski. The beauty of the snowy landscape is certain to wow anyone.

With a sweet prize like this, Headquarters is dying to be on the winning team again this summer in the 13th edition of the Switzerland Meeting Trophy, which will take place over three days in Zurich and St. Gallen in the German-speaking region of Switzerland.

Contact:

Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau Brussels

Myriam Winnepennincks myriam.winnepenninckx@switzerland.com

Bern Incoming - Mirjam Nyffenegger Mirjam.nyffenegger@bern-incoming.ch

Interlaken Congress & Events - Daniela fuchs Daniela.fuchs@interlaken-congress.ch