Meetings & Events: Zurich focuses on quality

Five-star superior hotel Atlantis by Giardino at the foot of the Uetliberg.Around one fifth of all international congresses held in Switzerland take place in Zurich. According to the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), the city on the Limmat hosted 44 such events the year before last and ranks 54th worldwide.Fresh impulsesHowever, the city on the Limmat has to contend with hurdles in the event sector. There is still no congress center with capacity for large events. In addition, the strong Swiss franc is causing various companies to relocate their conference and event activities to less expensive foreign countries. Zürich Tourism is responding by emphasizing the quality of the destination. Last year, four new business hotels appeared on the regional hotel map. In January 2014, the Sheraton Zürich Hotel with 197 rooms and eight meeting rooms opened in the trendy Zürich West district. This was followed two months later by the Dorint Airport-Hotel Zürich with eleven meeting rooms and 235 hotel rooms. In November, the new Trafo Hotel with 81 rooms and an event capacity for up to 1400 guests was inaugurated as part of the Trafo Baden expansion. And since the end of 2014, price-conscious business travelers have been able to stay at the new Ibis Messe Zurich Airport hotel.Star designerThe Kameha Grand Zurich opened its doors on March 1, 2015. The lifestyle hotel in Glattpark is aimed in particular at business customers. In addition to 245 rooms and suites, there is an event hall for up to 960 people and several combinable event rooms for ten to 630 participants.The interior design of the hotel is the work of star designer Marcel Wanders, who alludes to Swiss clichés in a tongue-in-cheek manner at the Kameha Grand Zürich. Partition walls in the rooms, for example, are reminiscent of chocolate bars, while the door traps resemble the handles of bank vaults.Urban RetreatThe second hotel opening this year is planned for the summer. That is when the five-star superior hotel Atlantis by Giardino at the foot of the Uetliberg is scheduled to start operations after an intensive renovation. Positioned as an "urban retreat" between the city and nature, the property will have 95 hotel rooms and five meeting rooms, and will provide a platform for events for up to 220 people. In addition, the facility includes an indoor and outdoor pool, two restaurants and a spa.In the coming years, the range of Zurich business hotels will continue to grow. In 2016, the Motel One with 380 hotel rooms and in 2017 the 25hours Hotel Europaallee with 170 rooms are expected to welcome their first guests. The opening of the major project The Circle at Zürich Airport is planned for 2018. In the atmosphere of an international business district, two hotels of the Hyatt Group, a convention center, branches of international companies, office space, a medical center and numerous offerings from the fields of art, culture, gastronomy, entertainment and education are being created.Meeting destination Winterthur is growingAlongside Zurich, Winterthur is establishing itself as a conference and event destination. Switzerland's sixth-largest city is just twelve minutes by train or car from Zurich Airport and offers numerous event and accommodation options.With a 40 percent share of forest, Winterthur is not only considered the greenest city in the country, but also has the largest continuous pedestrian zone. Most hotels and localities are within walking distance of each other and can be reached easily and quickly.In recent years, various business hotels have been renovated or converted. Most recently, the Best Western Hotel Wartmann underwent a complete renovation and now offers 68 rooms, a business corner and free WLAN in all rooms.Healthy eating - Excellent MeetingThe four-star Banana City hotel is positioned as a business and conference hotel with its spacious meeting and banqueting area. There are six meeting rooms, two conference halls, a ballroom with stage and foyer for up to 400 guests, and a restaurant. Under the title "Healthy eating - Excellent Meeting," the centrally located hotel is launching a new catering offer. Healthy, high-energy meals and snacks are designed to optimize the performance and concentration of meeting participants.Another plus point of Winterthur is its wide range of locations, from historic industrial halls to well-known theaters and modern conference centers. These include, for example, the Gate 27 congress center near the train station or the over 100-year-old Villa Bridler, which provides an atmospheric setting for seminars right in the center. In addition, the city will purchase the listed Hall 53 on the Sulzer site and probably convert it into an event hall.In order to market the conference destination Winterthur, the congress office of Winterthur Tourismus published the new brochure "Meeting Organizer City and Region Winterthur" at the beginning of the year, which presents the range of venues, accommodations, social programs and other services in the field of meetings, incentives, conventions & events. Because despite its numerous possibilities, the city is still considered an insider tip in the event business.Author: Denise Weisflog