IGEM turns 20: A reason to celebrate!

The atmosphere at an event is only really good when the moderator has to almost forcefully interrupt the lively discussions: at least that's what happened at the 20th anniversary of IGEM in the Zurich restaurant "Smith and de Luma". The host of the evening, TV celebrity Marco Fritsche (e.g. "Bauer, ledig, sucht..."), initially had a hard time bringing the more than 150 guests together for the welcome address and musical accompaniment.

IGEM President delighted with loyal members

But then it all worked out, and between delicious hors d'oeuvres and a generous dinner, IGEM President Stephan Küng had his say. He thanked those present - not without a wink - for their loyalty and for always paying their annual membership fees on time. This was Küng's second anniversary with the association, as he celebrated IGEM's tenth birthday just one year after taking office eleven years ago. "I've been around for so long - it's a bit like being in an autocratic state," he said with a laugh. The attendees didn't seem to mind, on the contrary, and Küng's performance was eagerly applauded. By the time singer Anna Känzig performed, however, the audience had already begun to disperse, and the guests moved into the courtyard for another aperitif - not because of the singing, but because of the summer temperatures. Either way, it was a successful anniversary for the IGEM and a signal to the industry that cooperation can be worthwhile - you can find some impressions in our picture gallery: