The Swiss region of Bern-Bernese Oberland, containing Bern, Interlaken and Gstaad, sells itself on its compact size, the diversity and contrast between the bustling urban atmosphere in the capital city of Bern and the superb scenery around lakes Thun and Brienz, not to mention the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps.
Its various destinations are within walking distance of each other, dismissing the need for time-consuming transfers, and its central location means transport connections are good.
This logic exists also in the all-in-one local approach to events, and availability of modern meetings infrastructure. The Bern-Bernese Oberland offers a year-round destination for all types of events ranging from meetings, seminars, workshops and conventions to corporate and private anniversaries and incentives.
The UNESCO world heritage old town of Bern has a popular auditorium in the shape of the Zentrum Paul Klee – a museum designed by the architect Renzo Piano close to the city centre. Or if you prefer a historical setting for your event, the theatre room in the Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken is a location worth considering.
The political capital for Swiss events
Bern occupies a central location both in Switzerland and Europe, with a compact city centre removing the need for long transfers and modern meeting infrastructure, free public transport and a relaxed Bernese lifestyle lending itself to reflective and inspirational meetings.
Home to a university and strong in the medical and political fields, Bern is a strong location for clients interested in environment or sustainable development, as well as sports.
Venues such as the Gurten Pavilion Events capitalize on the region’s ability to offer events with a view. This easy-to-reach seminar venue, surrounded by local Bernese greenery, overlooks the city at an altitude of 864m.
The ways taken in as you ascend via the funicular railway can then be further explored at the new Gurten Pavillion, completed in June. This meeting space, a glass construction in overlooking the mountain scape, can host events all year round.
A CHF30m (US$30.64) modernisation project has turned the Kursaal Bern into one of Switzerland’s more spectacular congress and event centers. The spacious glass-fronted multi-functional arena for up to 1,400 persons gives a spectacular view of the old town, offering 26 conference rooms, service and accommodation in the form of the connecting 4-star superior Lifestyle Hotel Allegro. The adjacent Grand Casino continues the entertainment programme.
The nearby Bernexpo exhibition centre offers 41,000sqm of exhibition space in eight halls, a convention center for 5,000 with plenary room and meeting rooms, all totaling 100,000sqm of outdoor space, which the bureau claims is the biggest outdoor ground in Switzerland.
In the past few years the numbers of overnight stays in Bern have grown, and reached 700,000 overnights for the first time in 2013. The local bureau claims 60 per cent of the overall overnights are generated by business travellers, which indicated it had more than 400,000 overnights by business travellers last year. The UK alone provided a leisure and business traveller increase of 12.1 per cent in 2012 and 3.9 per cent in 2013.
Interlaken, situated between two lakes, is surrounded by a chain of mountains that includes the world-famous trio Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The city is geared towards natural excursions, with delegates and participants able to climb to laudable heights while networking, photo opportunities and moments of grand reflection on tap.
With more than 1,500 three- to five-star hotel rooms, Interlaken’s congress centre sits in close proximity to the town and can conveniently be reached on foot. No need for guests to arrange additional city transport; replacing waiting time and money with a little thinking time and exercise.
The town claims to offer facilities geared towards medical and pharma congresses, in addition to auto industry presentations.
A significant number of these take place at the Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken. This auditorium, with its innovative architecture and historic ambience, offers total event area of 5,000sqm and capacity for more than 1,500 people. The centre has 19 different rooms in total, of which three are halls of over 900sqm. All the halls are flooded with daylight and can be accessed directly. There are more stylish halls of 300sqm at your disposal. This makes Interlaken one of the most attractive congress destinations available in the Alps.
The Alpine village Gstaad’s reputation as a place for creativity is complemented by a number of good hotels in which to let the meetings and incentive business thrive.
With more than 40 hotels, the destination is capable of satisfying many different requirements and cover all possible interests. They have conference rooms with modern furnishings and appropriate technical equipment.
Interesting activities for groups here include creating snow sculptures at the freezing snow art igloo village, or setting your event in the new mountain lodge Chessle-Stube, Hornberg, which provides a stylish restaurant atmosphere for 60 to 80, with a farm house feeling.
Of course, it is difficult to address the prospect of events in Switzerland without concerns relating to price. The quality of event destinations and infrastructure is very high in Switzerland in general, and that also applies to Bern-Bernese Oberland. The key to reining in those costs is to approach events as an all-in-one solution. By working with the local bureau and its MICE industry affiliates, a bespoke package can be arranged with the help of single organiser. This singular approach reduces costs.
Additionally, Switzerland claims to have the lowest VAT rates in Europe, while additional costs such as breakfast and public transportation within the city of Bern, are included in the room rates.
Being prescriptive and planning in advance enables an organiser to get the benefit of high quality without prohibitive expense.
This was first published in issue 78 of CMW. Any comments? Email: Zoe Vernor
