Meeting where Alpine Peaks form a Backdrop
Often described as ‘the most international city of Switzerland’, Geneva is the European seat for the UN. Picturesque and cosmopolitan, the city is also a centre for trade fairs and exhibitions, as MICE business figures show. The city is also proud of its cultural charisma in terms of theatres and museums including an exclusive watch museum with its collection of jewellery watches and musical clocks. MICEtalk takes a bird’s eye view of this French-speaking city to find out more...
An international meeting city ideally situated in the heart of Europe, a financial and technological hub with a global reputation, Geneva is a cosmopolitan city that provides a unique and particularly privileged setting for business tourism that takes its visitors by surprise.
Meeting facilities with stateof-the-art technology, hotels equipped to the most exacting standards – 32 conference hotels (3-5 stars), 2 conference centres for up to 10,000 delegates – and highly skilled personnel are other assets that attract tourism professionals to this city.
Geneva is known for the quality of life, something that its visitors are delighted to discover. The International Airport welcomes flights from more than 100 destinations and it takes only six minutes to reach the city centre by train. Thanks to a rich past, a magnificent natural environment and a wide range of fine dining opportunities, the smallest of the world’s great cities is a prime-choice destination for organising an event.
The natural beauty of Geneva lends itself to different kinds of theme events/evenings. According to Switzerland Tourism, events can be organised by a local DMC around activities on the lake, in the mountains, in the vineyards, around wine & cheese and other themes. Some of the local PCOs who can put together special events are Nest, Symporg, Kuoni, Congrex and MCI.
After Work
Visitors coming to Geneva are captivated by its picturesque beauty. There is plenty to see around as delegates decide to take a break from work. A favourite activity with visitors is taking a cruise on Lake Geneva. Excursions to Lausanne, Montreux, Chillon, Gruyères, Chamonix are generally preferred by the visitors coming to Geneva. Another ‘water’ attraction is Jet d’eau which is a 140-metre high water jet, visible from afar. It is the ‘landmark’ of this beautiful city.
The Old Town, the heart of Geneva, is where people head for their shopping expeditions. The other
favourite with visitors is the city’s Grand Rue Street, the most wellmaintained street where the city’s famous citizen philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau was born.
Horloge Fleuri, the large flower clock in Jardin Anglais (English garden), which is symbolic of Geneva’s expertise in watch making, is a must visit for the visitors.
Situated between Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura Mountains, this quaint city is a MICE stopover with a difference. Its natural environs and settings can provide a perfect break no matter how heated a business meeting or convention might get. Shouldn’t that be a reason enough to plan your next MICE offsite here in this beautiful Swiss city?