Swiss Economic Forum 2020 - Montreux instead of Interlaken

For the 13th time in a row, the Kilchemann Event & Rental Service Team was the proud technical partner of the Swiss Economic Forum.

The fact that no stone was left unturned in the Corona year and the entire event had to be completely rethought is probably no longer surprising to anyone in 2020.

The Swiss Economic Forum needs no further introduction. Every year, 900 leading figures from the worlds of business, science, politics and the media meet at Switzerland's leading economic conference to actively exchange views and engage in cross-industry dialog. Normally, and this is well known, the SEF takes place in Interlaken - but in 2020, as we know, everything is different.

Montreux instead of Interlaken

Due to the Covid-19-related restrictions, it became clear relatively early on that the usual SEF location in Interlaken was too small in terms of the protection concepts required today. The organizers therefore set about looking for an alternative - and found one in Montreux at the beginning of July. Nevertheless, they had to wait for the Federal Council's official decision regarding the staging of large events with more than 1,000 people before the organizers - including the Kilchenmann Event & Rental Service team - could really get started.

No copy-paste

Of course, no two SEFs are the same and the technical requirements are different every time. Nevertheless, staging a major event at a well-known venue is very different from starting from scratch - and under difficult conditions. The Kilchenmann team traveled to Montreux twice as part of the preparations and in the run-up to the SEF, the first time in mid-July. Project manager Martin Loosli explains: "In terms of technology, this year's SEF was no different from previous editions - and yet everything was different. This was mainly due to the coronavirus protection measures, which included a tracking system for all attendees - and there were 900 of them during the event. As part of this system, all participants, including the organization and technical crew, were divided into groups. In turn, these groups were not allowed to mix, which presented us with completely new challenges in some cases."

Assembly and dismantling within a very short time

The 26-member Kilchenmann team traveled to Montreux on August 30 and set up the entire set on August 31 - because rehearsals were already scheduled for September 1. The event was carried out both live on site and via stream on September 2 and 3. On the same evening, all the displays, LED screens and feeders as well as the entire audio and lighting system were dismantled and transported away.

Gladly again

Despite all the circumstances and the relatively long-lasting uncertainty as to whether the SEF could be held at all, this year's Economic Forum was also a highlight in Kilchenmann's calendar. "The SEF is a great partner and we are particularly grateful this year that we were able to be part of this high-caliber event - in times of Covid-19, this is not something that can be taken for granted," says Project Manager Martin Loosli.

From live streaming and webcasting to audio, conference, video and lighting technology to fireworks - Kilchenmann Event & Rental Service is your trusted partner.