Features

MICE: Break with the convention

28 Sep 2018 by BusinessTraveller

Switzerland is working hard to attract group business to its cities. Tom Otley looks at some of the best venues and attractions in Lausanne, Bern and Lucerne, where you can mix business and pleasure.

LAUSANNE

THE CONFERENCE CENTRE

SwissTech Convention Centre

Opened in April 2014, the SwissTech Convention Centre is as impressive inside as out, with a state-of-the-art system allowing its major auditoria to be converted into theatres with rows of chairs emerging from the floor at the press of a button. It is located on the campus of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), around three miles from the city centre, and is accessible using the metro system and train station. Security at the SwissTech is strong after holding UEFA and Olympic events, including France’s President Macron’s presentation last year in support of Paris holding the 2024 Games.

Quartier Nord EPFL, Route Louis-Favre 2, 1024 Ecublens
stcc.ch

THE VENUE

The Olympic Museum

Opened in 1993, The Olympic Museum is one of the principal tourist attractions in Lausanne, but is also host to over 350 events each year, taking advantage of its position right on Lake Geneva and with an esplanade and gardens available for use in the summer. A major renovation in 2013-14, costing CHF 50 million, has increased the attractions, with a large auditorium, a restaurant overlooking the lake and outdoor terrace areas. Visitors also get access to the museum with tickets that can be used at a later date.

Quai d’Ouchy 1, 006 Lausanne
olympic.org/museum

TIME OFF

Lavaux wine tasting

Lausanne isn’t short of attractions, but just outside the town is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, stretching for 30km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva. Dating back to the time of the Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries of the 11th century, this is a scenic area of twisting roads, dry-stone walls and small villages, with endless wineries welcoming visitors to enjoy everything from simple tastings to full lunchtime and evening meals.

BERN

THE CONFERENCE CENTRE

Kursaal Bern

The Kursaal Bern complex offers the four-star superior Hotel Allegro, restaurants and bars, the Grand Casino Bern, and outstanding conference and meeting facilities, including the 100-year old auditorium (renovated in 2012). There are 30 rooms for conferences and meetings – with capacity from two to 1500 persons.

Kursaal Bern, Kornhausstrasse 3, 3000 Bern
kursaal-bern.ch

THE VENUE

The Granary (Kornhauskeller)

Built between 1711 and 1718, this Bernese High Baroque beer hall originally served as everything from a granary to a market hall, but has been an event space for over a century now. Whatever the weather, the venue can host a crowd of up to 500, all of whom will marvel at the Munger frescos and the size of the wine cask at one end of the hall.

Kornhausplatz 18, 3011 Bern
bindella.ch/de/kornhauskeller-galeriebar.html

TIME OFF

Scooter tour of Bern

Situated on a peninsula in a loop of the Aare River, Bern has fabulous scenery and a beautiful historic centre that can easily be explored in just a couple of hours. Of course, you can take a walking tour, but a scooter tour is much more fun and covers a lot of ground without causing blisters. For the truly adventurous, it’s possible to organise swimming and rafting in the crisply clean Aare River.

Find out more at bern.com

LUCERNE

THE CONFERENCE CENTRE

KKL Luzern

The stunning KKL Luzern Culture and Convention Centre, designed by Jean Nouvel and built between 1995 and 2000, was originally planned to resemble a ship heading into the lake. When this proved impossible, Nouvel used two water channels to divide the centre into its three parts: the Concert Hall, the Lucerne Hall, and the convention and museum area, with all three lining up like ships in a shipyard, the water connecting the building to the lake and with a roof extending over the water.

Europaplatz 1, 6005 Luzern
kkl-luzern.ch/en

THE VENUE

A boat on the lake

All the cities mentioned here offer the chance for a cruise, but Lake Lucerne is particularly scenic, with its undulating shoreline and varied backdrop of hills and mountains. There are several companies that can help you charter speedboats and steam boats for events, with entertainment, catering and staff on board.

TIME OFF

Max Chocolatier

There are dozens of chocolate-themed experiences in Switzerland, as you’d imagine, but this small boutique chocolatier on the waterfront allows you to have a tasting, taking 45 minutes, or to take a 90-minute workshop (also with tasting) as the enthusiastic staff share their knowledge of cocoa origins, ingredients and quality.