"Within two working days we managed to find a new date"
With Best of Swiss Web, another major industry event falls victim to the corona virus. However, the Award Night is not cancelled, but postponed. Organizer Heinrich Meyer comments in an interview with Werbewoche.ch.
Heinrich Meyer, Managing Director Best of Swiss Web and CEO Netzmedien.
The Corona virus is dominating the agenda and bringing numerous events to their knees. Although the event with less than 1000 visitors does not fall under the event ban imposed by the Federal Council, Best of Swiss Web has decided to postpone the Award Night from April 2 to June 10 as a preventive measure (Werbewoche.ch reported). Naturally, this will also affect the "Werber des Jahres" (Advertiser of the Year) and Goldbach's Crossmedia Award presented by Werbewoche. Werbewoche.ch talked to organizer and BOSW CEO Heinrich Meyer about the postponement.
Werbewoche.ch: Heinrich Meyer, when did the decision to postpone the Award Night come about?
Heinrich Meyer: When the Federal Council banned larger events on February 28, it was clear to me that from now on we would perceive the Corona spread differently. Our government usually acts quite calmly, and that was a clear signal for me.
In view of the developments of the past few days, was it seriously open to discussion to take the risk and refrain from postponing?
Most of our award participants invite their customers, employees and partners. That's why the host perspective was crucial for us. Those who come to the award night should be able to celebrate and spend an entertaining evening in the best company. It's not right for guests to have to deal with risk considerations in advance.
What is the biggest challenge when you postpone such a big event?
The task was to find a new date that would suit everyone involved as much as possible and on which the location would be available. Thanks to our well-coordinated team, we managed to do this within two working days.
Were there also disappointed or even angry reactions from partners and others involved?
Anyone who wins something at Best of Swiss Web, the Goldbach Crossmedia Award or Best of .swiss, or is voted "Advertiser of the Year," likes to communicate that. That's why everyone is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the award winners. The fact that this is now happening only two months later on June 10 has also caused disappointment. But everyone understood our decision across the board.
Was it difficult to find an alternative date or was it ready in advance for any postponements?
It wasn't easy, but it worked out. We always work with only one date, everything else makes no sense for us.
Other organizers cancel their event without replacement - why do you rely on a postponement date?
Cancellation was never an option. We feel committed to the participants and other stakeholders. We do not want to and must not deprive the industry of this important annual platform and want to be a reliable partner for our sponsors, partners and suppliers.
Should the Corona issue be long off the table on April 2 - will that make you a little fuxed up in retrospect?
No, not at all. We have made the decision that we think is right in the current situation, and that is why we are looking forward and not back.
As we all know, every change also has its positive sides. What can BoSW benefit from if the event does not take place until June?
(laughs) From great summer weather and a long summer night with drinks, music and great guests on the Samsung Hall roof terrace.
Is this the biggest organizational challenge in the history of Best of Swiss Web?
That was an exceptional event now and hopefully won't happen again so soon. Best of Swiss Web has become a benchmark over the last 20 years. The challenge is to have the right people on board in the organization and to change the event from year to year in countless small steps so that it best meets the needs and expectations of everyone involved in each case.
