All-round care with hospitality offers at events

HOSPITALITY Hospitality packages are almost a must for sponsoring entertainment events. After all, they are an important instrument for customer loyalty. Which events offer such packages, what makes them successful and where the trends generally lie are revealed by the following organizers. "All-inclusive" - that's what all the event organizers interviewed hear when it comes to hospitality packages. After all, when a company [...]

Editorial - 13 February 2015

"All-inclusive" - that's what all the event organizers surveyed hear when it comes to hospitality packages. After all, if a company is interested in one, it has to be as convenient as possible for them. "Our clients are always asking us to offer an all-inclusive package that includes services such as parking and accommodation," says Sophie Clivaz, event coordinator at Omega European Masters.The Magic Comedy Festival organizers place great importance on the invitations companies send to their clients. "These serve as a countervalue and should show that the festival is not an advertising event," explains Tanja Schmocker, co-organizer.For winter events, vouchers for the wardrobe are very popular, says Carolina Drago, marketing manager at Salto Natale Entertainment AG, citing another customer request. Cinerent OpenAir AG, organizer of Orange Cinema, also relies on hospitality personnel: "We sense that there is a great need for platforms for personal customer care," says Daniel Frischknecht, Managing Director. Customized solutions are also a feature at Carré Event AG: "Our customers appreciate the hospitality options that are specially tailored to them," explains Quirin Borgogno-Weber, Sales Manager. This includes, for example, an after-show party.The demand for hospitality packages is growing every year. Customer wishes show that this area is moving toward individuality, which makes it more difficult to design such offers. The offers are as individual as the customers' wishes.Magic Comedy FestivalFrom February 11 to 17, 2015, the Magic Comedy Festival will be touring Switzerland for the 18th time. Various comedians will lead through the evening. This year, Holger Müller, alias Ausbilder Schmidt, who is known for his film "Morgen ihr Luschen!", will be one of the guests. Moderator and founder of the event is Peter Löhmann.The VIP package includes a prosecco reception, a standing dinner, a drinks buffet, a personal gift, a chocolaty surprise and a personal artist encounter. "In addition, photos can be taken as souvenirs. We also hand out a voucher for a visit to the casino after the show," said Tanja Schmocker of Magic Comedy.The proceeds of the Magic Comedy Festival will be donated to the children's charity "Magic Moments" in Haiti, which Peter Löhmann also founded. "The guests know what the comedians are working for and where the money is going. The message is clear: give a laugh," explains Schmocker.

After the performance, VIP guests will have the opportunity to get to know the artists better.Omega European MastersThe 69th European golf tournament will be held in 2015 at the end of July. Here 156 golfers will meet to compete. The Omega European Masters is also the first European tournament to link up with the Asian Tour. The 30 best Asian golfers compete with their counterparts from Europe.Around 50,000 visitors attend the tournament every year. To make it more pleasant for them, the organizers offer VIP deals. "Companies that are not official partners of the event can reserve a table in our VIP lounge," Sophie Clivaz introduces. This offer is for four to ten people and includes tickets, a personalized reception, catering services and a lounge overlooking the 18th green. During the four days of the tournament, 300 people can be welcomed in the VIP lounge. Sponsors of the Omega European Masters will benefit from the Hospitality Village. There, they can welcome their guests in an environment with separate lounges. Benefits include 40 tickets for each day of the tournament, four sponsor accreditations, two parking spaces and a buffet.

At the Hospitality Village, guests benefit from a buffet.Carré EventCarré Event AG has also positioned itself in the event industry. The organizer is known for the events "Art on Ice", "Blues'n'Jazz", "Heaven on Earth" and others. At the same time, Carré Event develops concepts for corporate events that are individually tailored to the objectives. From years of experience, the Carré team knows that hospitality offers are an important tool for customer loyalty. "In order to address the respective target group of the event, we create hospitality packages specially tailored to them," explains Quirin Borgogno-Weber. Usually these consist of exclusive locations, upscale food, top seats at the event, a break catering and a nightcap.Carré Event's latest creation is "Heaven on Earth." A Christmas show that takes place every year. Entitled "Conference of Santas", the said gentlemen meet with different characters and entertain the guests. This also included a lot of live music and lighting effects. The following hospitality offers were developed for this spectacle. The sky lounge aperitif offers various specialties and drinks in a separate area in the decorated foyer. The offer can be booked before and/or after the show. For the hungry, there are two dinner offers. The "Chäs-Stübli" includes a raclette or fondue à discretion and is intended for up to 180 people. The "Dinner" includes a three-course menu in the dinner area, which can accommodate up to 550 people. For a larger setting, the entire tent can be rented. All offers include tickets in the first category.

Carré Event AG offers individual hospitality packages. The "Heaven on Earth" event includes a three-course menu in the dinner area.Salto NataleSalto Natale is also held at Christmas time. The program includes artists, dancers comedians, a live singer, exotic attractions as well as Swiss classics.There are various offers for corporate events. "Our customers really appreciate the fact that they can enjoy the evening from start to finish and not have to worry about the details and the process," says Carolina Drago. It starts with the wardrobe drop-off. Before the performance, guests have their aperitif in a separate VIP area called "Petit Chapiteau." This is for a group of 80 to 200 people. The dinner tent seats guests for a three-course meal. "Our performances can also be booked for exclusive events. The big advantage for exclusive events is that the program can be customized to the client's wishes. This includes customization of the menu, foyer set-up, and many other options," says Drago.In addition, they offer limousine service, getting to know the artists, and backstage tours. A free shuttle bus also runs from the airport. During the show itself, guests take their seats in the royal boxes, where they can sit directly at the menege and experience the artists up close. After the show, groups of 100 people or more have the opportunity to attend an after-show party organized by the Salto Natale team.

Before the performance, VIP guests have dinner in the separate area.Orange CinemaUncomplicated, casual and a relaxed atmosphere is what Cinerent OpenAir AG offers. "Orange Cinema" screens previews, blockbusters and cult films every summer. The open air takes place in Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Basel between July and August. Demand for hospitality packages is also high in this area. Capacity has even had to be expanded over the years. "For the past three years, we have established an additional guest tent for smaller groups in addition to the two large guest tents," reports Daniel Frischknecht.The hospitality offer is suitable for groups of 30 to 100 people and includes VIP admission without long queues, use of a guest tent, reserved VIP seats on the grandstand and hospitality staff who look after the guests throughout the evening. The catering offer is tailored to the customer's needs and budget. He said the cooking island, where chefs prepare food in front of guests, is particularly popular. "I have the impression that many customers have had enough of "finger food from a Cüpli glass".This is not in line with our times and often this type of hospitality event gives the wrong impression to the invited customers or even seems inappropriate," says Frischknecht. They often receive requests for the possibility of thematically adapting the catering offer to the film of the evening, Frischknecht adds. "If possible, we are happy to fulfill this request".

The hospitality offer at Orange Cinema includes reserved seats in the grandstand.

All-round care with hospitality offers at events

More articles on the topic

Switzerland Tourism and Sigg: Swissness now in a double pack

That was the Unfold Business Festival 2024

Founders Day 2024: "Networking is everything"