Vienna welcomes Geneva

One of the most compelling destination presentations that I was privileged to listen to in 2015 was about Geneva at an event that took place in Vienna. Here are some highlights from the press release published afterwards:

The Geneva Convention Bureau organized an exceptional event hosted by H.E. Ambassador Christoph Bubb at the Swiss Embassy of Vienna on September, 8^th 2015. 

In this unique setting - an 18th century palace - the Convention Bureau presented Geneva as a business destination to more than 20 high-end clients from international associations based in Vienna. In a convivial Swiss atmosphere the guests discovered or rediscovered Geneva and its highlights, heading home with a strong interest in organizing their next event in Geneva.

Why was this presentation such a success?

Anja Loetscher, director of the Geneva Convention Bureau, is a lady with considerable experience in the Meetings Industry. She has accumulated all the right know how when it comes to presenting her city abroad, and presenting a city is not the easiest of tasks. Selecting the right venue, setting up the databank, sending invitations, guaranteeing appropriate follow-up and finally delivering a motivating presentation… It keeps you on your toes for days on end often to the point of leaving you with a splitting headache. And then still many open questions remain: will the guests actually come? Have I focussed on the proper target group? Did I get my message across? What about after the event?

There are many questions that need to be ticked off the list in order to successfully manage such an event. But Anja and her Meetings and Convention Manager Zoé Senn were more than happy in the end. There were no cancellations thanks to the invitations sent by the Ambassador in person and clearly the palatial backdrop of his official residence added the right amount of sparkle to make it all very inviting!

Finally, Ambassador Christoph Bubb hit the right spots when presenting Geneva as a Convention City, if only because Vienna and Geneva have an important thing in common: they are both blessed with delightfully tasting Sauvignon Blanc.

Marcel A.M. Vissers

Editor-in-Chief

HeadQuarters & MIM Europe magazine