Attractive event ideas and hidden gems in the canton of Bern

Anyone thinking about conferences and events in the Bern region cannot ignore Interlaken. Surrounded by Lakes Thun and Brienz and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountain triumvirate, the natural ambience here is straight out of a picture book.

It's no wonder that it's not just global tourist flows that have found their way here for many years. Interlaken and the surrounding area have also become a hotspot for travelers with briefcases as well as event and seminar organizers. Thanks to the diversity of nature and the resulting opportunities, it is now even known as the "adventure capital of Europe". There is a wide range of offers, which benefits not only holidaymakers but also congress and event guests. They can choose from a wide range of supporting programs and experiences directly in front of their "event location".

"We do indeed have access to a wide and attractive range of offers for groups," confirms Christoph Leibundgut, spokesperson for Interlaken Tourismus. Recent offers include the Donna Anna, a Venetian cab boat that offers attractive round trips on Lake Brienz. Fun offers include Heidi's Photo Chalet, a modern photo studio in the middle of Interlaken, where whole groups can stage fun photo sessions with all kinds of equipment.

Donna Anna, a Venetian cab boat, offers attractive round trips on Lake Brienz.

Heidi's photo chalet, in the middle of Interlaken, offers fun photo sessions.

Interlaken also offers a whole range of special event locations, from a fishing hut to a greenhouse, from a shooting range to a log cabin, from a cultural garage to a forester's lodge and much more besides. The Interlaken conference and event region stretches from Thun to Brienz and is also home to major events such as the Swiss Economic Forum, the Interlaken Alpine Symposium and the Thun Political Forum. "This alone is a clear indicator of the region's popularity as a conference location," says Leibundgut.

Thanks to the three elements of mountain, lake and town, the possibilities for supporting programs on Lake Thun are also very diverse, says Nathalie Hägler, Product Manager MICE at Thun-Lake Thun Tourism. "The three excursion mountains Niesen, Niederhorn and Stockhorn also offer rooms for meetings, seminars or banquets." This makes it ideal to combine a meeting with a supporting program at high altitude. On the water, you can either enjoy a classic BLS boat trip, clear your head on a sailing boat after the seminar or paddle yourself in a canoe or on a stand-up paddleboard.

The "Sealander", a vehicle for land and water, was newly developed in Faulensee last year. According to Nathalie Hägler, despite its small capacity (four people), it can be a creative way to end a small-scale meeting. A visit to the fascinating Beatus Caves is also sure to provide variety and relaxation. For an exciting and uncomplicated city experience, there are various guided tours through Thun or a "Foxtrail". There are also many insider tips to discover that are not listed in the brochure
but are well suited as a supporting program. "For example, a visit to the Spiez Heritage and Vine Museum with an aperitif or a beer tasting at the Old School brewery in Faulensee."

There are also various first-class hotels around Lake Thun with a professional offering for meetings, seminars and events as well as a distinctive quality of service. "The region is also popular for weddings, for example," says Hägler. The five unique Lake Thun castles, which also offer seminar and group packages, are also very important. "Thun is an authentic small town surrounded by inspiring nature, which clearly sets it apart from large cities as a MICE destination."

The MICE segment is also becoming increasingly important in the Gstaad-Saanenland region, according to expert Eliane Zürcher from Gstaad Marketing AG. "We still see a lot of potential, especially for revitalizing the low seasons." As Gstaad only has a few large hotels, the destination is more suitable for small but fine events. This makes the range of bookable supporting programs all the more diverse. "We should certainly mention our local partners Alpinzentrum and Experience, who are professionals in organizing supporting programmes and entire events."

Gstaad offers many opportunities, especially in the outdoor area. Traditions generally play an important role in the destination. This is also reflected in the activities. "For example, you can book paper-cutting courses or yodeling workshops. Avalanche rescue exercises or bridge building are also very popular as team-building events," says Eliane Zürcher. Mountain restaurants or alpine huts are ideal locations. "Naturally in combination with our various MICE hotels, some of which are luxurious and prestigious."

The hotel industry in the entire Bernese region has a high density of establishments with solidly developed event and meeting infrastructures. This also includes hotels that are primarily known as vacation hotels. For example, the Lenkerhof, which added a special wing with conference rooms back in 2002. The "DenkTank" has been continuously expanded and upgraded in recent years, says Hotel Director Jan Stiller. "In 2017, for example, we installed completely new technical equipment with large screens and modern projectors." The magnificent view of the Wildstrubel from the event rooms is particularly exclusive.

The Lenkerhof is no longer an insider tip.

Lenkerhof often works together with Lenk Sport & Events to design the supporting programs. "From a tour of a Simmental beer brewery and guided ski tours to snow golf or a visit to the Rufeli Adventure Park (rope park), we have something suitable for every event customer. We can also easily organize sledging, Segway rides or helicopter flights," says Stiller.

There are also various event options in the Emmental. Hünigen Castle in Konolfingen is a unique and inspiring venue for conferences of all kinds. The 16th century building offers a very special atmosphere with a mix of state-of-the-art conference rooms and equipment within historic walls. "We offer a wide range of options for every event and, with our castle park, are particularly popular for weddings and aperitifs," says Sales and Marketing Manager Sarah Tschanz. The Schlosshotel Hünigen is also a place where companies and organizations can find peace and quiet for undisturbed work. "As soon as you arrive through the avenue, you notice the calm and inspiring atmosphere of our venerable building."

At the same time, there are also plenty of exciting supporting programs. From a moped tour in the Emmental region to archery in the castle park, Hünigen Castle offers a wide range of options. "Dinner together can also be part of our social program - for example with a tavolata in the castle cellar, where you pour each other wine and enjoy Italian classics."

The Waldhotel Doldenhorn in Kandersteg, located in the heart of nature, also enjoys an excellent reputation among event guests. As a member of the Relais Châteaux chain, it offers high-quality cuisine and a wide range of options for unusual supporting programs. "From a visit to the tropical house in Frutigen, a tour of a cheese dairy on the Allmenalp or a guided fish farm tour on the Blausee to historical village tours or a speedy ride on the Oeschinensee toboggan run, our guests can choose from a wide range of options," says host René Maeder.

So it doesn't necessarily have to be Interlaken or Lake Thun. The Bernbiet event region has a lot to offer, apart from boredom.

Thun in spring.

The Deltapark Resort in Thun combines events, relaxation and health like no other hotel in the Bern region. Hotel director Mirco Plozza explains why the combination still needs explaining to companies and how a former Olympic champion can help.

MK: Mr. Plozza, the Deltapark Resort is actually a medical wellness hotel. Why are you also positioning yourself in the conference and event sector?

Mirco PlozzaWe were already very interested in "business" topics such as workplace health promotion, stress reduction at work, burn-out prevention and life balance when we designed the Deltapark. Our offer therefore also includes elements for companies and managers. A concept where work and relaxation come together also makes a lot of sense from our point of view. The two guest segments complement each other perfectly, both seasonally and in terms of the days of the week.

What sets you apart from other conference hotels?

We are very centrally located in Switzerland and therefore easily accessible from almost all parts of the country. Nevertheless, our Vitalresort is in a quiet and rural location. Our resort environment with its park and nature reserves, sports and wellness facilities is the perfect breeding ground for productive seminars. It is precisely because we are not a traditional business hotel that seminar participants enjoy staying with us. This is where work and relaxation come together. Something we often forget ourselves, but which is extremely important for many seminars: we have plenty of affordable parking spaces right in front of the hotel.

Former Olympic snowboarding champion Tanja Frieden is in and out of your hotel. How did this come about?

We have been working with Ms. Frieden since the very first day of Deltapark. She has her office on our premises and is not only a cooperation partner but also an ambassador for Deltapark. We regularly exchange ideas - including on team development topics within the Deltapark.

Tanja Frieden gives on-site seminars that are often booked to the last seat. Why are these events so popular?

Tanja works in a very personal and committed way. She is incredibly approachable and collegial for a sporting great. That goes down very well with people. She also presents very well and deals with topics that are relevant to companies. All these factors combined make her an exceptional person and businesswoman.

Are there also conference and event groups that are looking for real added value in terms of health, food, etc. at Deltapark?

Admittedly, these are still rather rare. Health is often still seen by companies as an issue that should "actually" be addressed. Truly integrated, ongoing seminars on occupational health management are therefore still the exception here. But that will come. The market has to get to know us first and that always takes a few years.

What does Deltapark offer in the area of supporting programs?

Another cooperation partner on our premises offers team-building programs as well as sports and fun activities. Our location in the countryside, directly on the lake, offers countless possibilities. In winter too, by the way. We are constantly working to strengthen and expand our partnerships and interfaces with our tourism service providers, such as the Niesen and Stockhorn cable cars, local sports clubs such as Wacker Thun and FC Thun, as well as the Lake Thun Golf Club. This summer, we have focused on golf and shipping.

What other plans do you have to expand the meetings and events segment?

As already mentioned, we would like to make the area of health and exercise even more tangible at the seminars. One project for this is the conversion of an existing room into a "vital" seminar room. However, the project is only in the initial phase. More on this in fall 2019.

The Deltapark Resort in Thun

* from Robert Wildi

Mirco Plozza, Hotel Director Deltapark, and former Olympic snowboard champion Tanja Frieden. She gives seminars at Deltapark.