The spice of the web

Well, well, well ... (long sigh, pause and raise your voice) That's the thing about industry awards. They are generic, which means they revolve around themselves, and the Best of Swiss Web Award is not a creative award, but one for Internet technology. The judging is based on usability, technology quality, tech innovation or business efficiency. It was correspondingly boring for the shortlisted author, who therefore delivers a biased report here.
It all started with the pre-event for VIPs, a presentation of the television of tomorrow. The title of the presentation: "Bluewin TV - how to watch TV in the future". After ten minutes, even the last listener realized that what Cablecom was already delivering via the cable connection was being promised via ADSL telephone cable. Even the menu navigation in the demo looked "spot on". Conclusion: Nothing new from the sockets.
The award night could also have been more dramatic. The Internet industry has domesticated itself incredibly quickly. Where not so long ago freaks were in charge, now it's all consultants. The changeover of the Web Award from a standing and drinking party at Kaufleuten to gala seating is therefore just as logical. Nothing more colorful, fun and exuberant.
The catering wouldn't have won any prizes. At least it was good - the meat portions were actually quite generous. Also quite seasoned - with aroma. The canteen chefs from SV-Service are part of the Maag-Areal because of the lease agreement.
Nevertheless, 400 guests were delighted with the event. And Massimo Rocchi even managed to bring a small smile to the face of the grumpy writer of these lines.
Beat Fritsch made it to the Internet industry award night before the Ascension. Yes, industry, because what was once a wild bunch of incessant and slightly weird computer freaks is now a business like any other. All the consultants and even some of the creatives have mutated into brittle tie-wearers. Conclusion: Earlier Web Awards were, just like the industry, wilder, more exciting and more exuberant.
A lifeline? - The silver Baywatch buoy is the trophy for a category win.
Lucky fairy Pam with Claudio Dionisio (l.), President, and Thomas Hauser, Head of Communications of the Best of Swiss Web Association.
Jury president Peter Hogenkamp (l.) and Reto Hartinger, winner of the Best of Swiss Web Award with Map.search.ch.
Rita Cescutti (right), Chocolat Haab, Philippe Leuthold, SBB, and Irene Förig, Canon, who was involved as a ticket seller.
Aperitif time in the foyer: Martin Samsel (l.), Bluewin unit manager at Jung von Matt/Limmat, with client Peter Schilde from Bluewin.

Seen at the pre-presentation: Sepp Nietlisbach, Sales Manager at Search.ch, with Jvo Maurer and Rafael Azzati from Scooba (from left).
Sitting together on the jury: Giaco Schiesser (left) from the Academy of Art and Design and Christian Erni, CD at Futurecom.
Jury member Bramwell Kaltenrieder from Orange 8 and Isabella Kosch, Bluewin TV presenter.
Cook better yourself. With Annemarie Wildeisen's KOCHEN, the cooking magazine with 295,000 readers. Further information at www.wildeisen.ch
André Schraner (left) from the party photo portal Tillate and Ueli Weber, Head of Publicitas Webservice, smiled handsomely into the camera.
Franziska Haefeli and Kurt Busslinger from NZZ Neue Medien followed the award ceremony attentively from their table.
Having a great time: Freddy Berger, SevenOne, Marc Lottenbach, Publicitas Webservice, and Pascal Staub, Mad (from left).
Big business in the Maag Event Hall: Futurecom big boss Andy Widmer with Ana Stagljar from Web Award major sponsor Bluewin.
Relaxed chat on the sidelines of the event: Urs Schneider, owner of Mediaschneider, with Patrizia Gonzalez from Bluewin.
They enjoyed the Swiss Web Award: Joachim Hagger, Netcetera, René Hüsler, HTA Lucerne, and Dieter Jäpel, IBM Research (from left).
Although the SBB team did not win the most prizes, they were the most enthusiastic about winning the category with their Gleis 7 homepage.