Entrepreneur of the Year: Vernissage or Award Gala?

Werbewoche.ch: What do entrepreneurs and artists have in common?

Jessica Weissberg: Lots of it - from curiosity to courage to attention to detail. That's also the reason why the EOY in Switzerland has been entirely inspired by the "Art of Entrepreneurship" since this year. Many entrepreneurs also have a great affinity for the world of art. So here, too, it's a perfect match.

How did you make the connection?

This starts with the leitmotif: What makes your business a masterpiece? In keeping with this, all visuals are designed as paintings, especially the portraits of the finalists. But the clear highlight is the EOY Gallery, which we created in 3D design. In the virtual architecture, we not only stage the visuals. It also shapes the digital experience at the award gala.

A purely virtual experience?

Quite the opposite: After two years in which we had to organize the gala as a live stream or hybrid event, this year we were able to focus entirely on the real experience again, hosted as always by Christa Rigozzi. However, the 120-square-meter screen in "The Hall" allowed us to immerse our live audience in the EOY Gallery. The interaction of the LED wall with light and sound enhanced this immersive experience.

An Experience with Complex Interfaces...

Yes, especially the integration of the 3D space into the real-time event was not without its challenges. But we were able to count on trusted partners. Visual Design and Better Questions were created with Festland, who have been supporting EY for years. They work closely with I/O FX in 3D design. Harry Heusser, our director for the EOY Gala, and loop light, our specialists for technical production, were also on board early on. Thanks to this teamwork, we were able to bring the concept to full fruition at the event.

How has the new look been received by the EOY community?

The feedback is positive across the board, from the guests as well as from our partners and sponsors. We have succeeded in setting the EOY apart from conventional award communities even more than before. This strengthens our intention to continue the EOY Gallery.

What role does the EOY Gallery play on a global level?

Perhaps soon a starring role: The concept has also inspired colleagues at the global level. So it's quite possible that the brand experience of this most important community for EY will soon be inspired by Switzerland.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) is the world's largest community of entrepreneurs. Founded in 1986, it connects over 50,000 entrepreneurs from more than 60 nations. Members benefit from numerous advantages. The highlight of the year is the national EOY galas, in which the best entrepreneurs from various categories are selected. www.eoy.ch