You recently hosted the UFI European Conference at Messe Zürich. What was your experience and what was the guest feedback?
Hosting the UFI European Conference at Messe Zürich was a great experience for us. With 300 exhibition industry leaders from 41 countries, the event was vibrant and full of insightful discussions. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the venue’s convenience and easy accessibility, the programme, and the networking opportunities.
Can you describe the programme of the event?
The programme was designed to address the most pressing issues in the exhibition industry. It revolved around five key industry trends: focus on the customer, identity, industry consolidation, AI and the climate crisis. Each trend was explored through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, one-to-one exchanges and networking events.
The Event Directors Summit, held ahead of the main conference at our venues in Basel, brought together exhibition and portfolio directors from Europe’s top shows for a full day. A highlight of the summit was the exclusive tour of Art Basel, offering a unique opportunity to experience MCH Groups premier art fair first-hand. This highlights one of Switzerland’s many advantages – everything is close together.
In your opinion, what were the highlights of the event?
In my view, two standout highlights were the strong focus on customer-centric strategies and sustainability topics. The sessions on customer focus provided insight into how the exhibition industry can adapt to evolving client expectations, emphasising personalised experiences and deeper engagement. Discussions on sustainability reflected the growing importance of environmental responsibility within our industry.
The inclusion of experts like economist Stéphane Garelli added fresh perspectives to the conversation. Additionally, social activities such as footvolley with the Swiss National team, tours of Zurich, and a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate created some memorable experiences.
Why are these types of congresses important for a destination like Zurich? Are there any lasting after-effects?
Conferences like the UFI European Conference significantly enhance Zurich's global visibility and reinforce its reputation as a leading international business hub. These events not only drive substantial economic benefits, from tourism to business services, but also attract key industry leaders who foster significant economic activity and forge lasting business relationships. The long-term impact includes strengthened partnerships, growing interest from other international event organisers, and Zurich’s elevated status as a prime destination for major events.
Messe Basel and Messe Zurich are key assets within the MCH Group. How do you differentiate the positioning of these two venues to attract a diverse range of events?
Our venues in Basel and Zurich serve different segments of the event market. Each has its own strengths. Messe and Congress Center Basel, with its expansive and flexible infrastructure, is positioned as a premier venue for large-scale national and international trade fairs, congresses, corporate and public events. The centre’s size, combined with Basel’s central location in Europe and proximity to Switzerland’s borders to Germany and France, make it ideal for hosting global large-scale events. Our multifunctional spaces in Basel are particularly suited for high-capacity, complex events that require extensive logistical support.
Given Basel's status as a leading life sciences hub in Europe, we are focusing our event portfolio at Messe Basel to cater specifically to this sector. The region's unique concentration of life sciences companies, combined with its world-renowned research institutions and innovation-driven environment, makes it an ideal location for specialised events.
Messe Zürich, a more compact venue at 30,000sqm, is located in Switzerland’s financial and business hub. Its proximity to major corporations and industries makes it the go-to venue for mid-sized trade shows, corporate conferences, and industry-specific exhibitions. The venue’s accessibility to Zurich airport and its excellent transport links offer convenience, making it an attractive choice for corporate clients seeking efficiency and top-notch services in a well-connected urban setting.
The division you lead, MCH Exhibitions & Events, also has a portfolio of proprietary fairs and events. What is your strategy for your own events?
We organise the leading national trade fairs in each respective industry and are represented in almost every sector. Fundamentally, we aim to expand our portfolio with additional flagship fairs while continuing to develop and establish our existing formats. Our goal is to elevate key national industries to international prominence while providing participating companies on our platforms with access to a global audience.
Switzerland is known for its excellent infrastructure. How do Messe Basel and Messe Zurich leverage the country’s transportation network to ensure easy access to the venues? How does proximity to major transit hubs like Zurich and Basel airports enhance this?
Switzerland's world-class infrastructure is a major asset for both Messe and Congress Center Basel and Messe Zurich. Both venues are easily accessible by public transport and their proximity to Zurich and Basel airports as well as excellent train connections ensure seamless European and international connectivity. We encourage participants to travel sustainably, by train.
As the CEO of MCH Exhibitions & Events, what do you see as the future role of Messe Basel and Messe Zurich in the global events landscape? How will their connectivity and accessibility continue to serve as a competitive advantage for MCH Group in attracting major international events?
Messe and Congress Center Basel and Messe Zurich will continue to be key players in the global events landscape by leveraging Switzerland’s renowned reputation for innovation, reliability and quality. Our prime locations, coupled with our full-service offerings and our country’s world-class infrastructure, will ensure that our venues remain highly competitive in attracting major international events.
As the event industry evolves, we are committed to enhancing digital customer experiences and integrating sustainable practices to meet the increasing demand for environmentally conscious solutions. Connectivity and accessibility will remain critical competitive advantages. Looking ahead, we aim to position MCH Group as a leader in hosting sustainable, large-scale international events, aligning with the industry's evolving needs.
