Euphoria, fantasy -Strelanie

In order to gauge the mood of the people and get a feel for the esprit de corps, it can be well worth mingling with the masses of people queuing outside the gates before an event. A plan that proved particularly successful at the end of June. The queue outside the Casino Kursaal in Interlaken was long, the atmosphere was good and the banter was relaxed. One well-dressed marketing expert said to another: "I'm currently 110% busy in business. You, this feels like a vacation to me." As this didn't immediately make sense to everyone in her group, she added: "Now that school is over, even 110% working hours can't stress me out!" Two things follow from this: Those who follow the dual path are resilient. And: anyone who has worked long hours on various fronts is ready for a party. The 683 successful graduates deserved a big party: together with their spouses and relatives, they brought the number of guests to over 1100.

Stars with USP

They could look forward to a party with a high glamor factor. And to stars who all have a USP in their own way. For example, it's not every day that you hear a singer with a whole choir behind him. Anyone who was at the graduation ceremony heard him: Martin O. A vocal virtuoso who blends emotion and technique perfectly and manages to create something completely new at every gig. Or Claudio Zuccolini, the funniest man from Graubünden in the lowlands. Someone who has similar worries to all of us: a belly that spreads out somewhat unflatteringly, especially in summer. The vegans we know who don't bite into their food, but live their lifestyle a little too doggedly. Or those lovely people who celebrate their newborn babies almost like casting show winners. Zuccolini certainly had the laughs on his side.

The graduation ceremony was arranged in such a way that dignified statements alternated with show acts. And in a way that appealed to a broad age spectrum. After all, the successful graduates were between 21 and 57 years old. Andreas Balazs, President of the Examination Board, saw this as "impressive proof that further training is a constant companion in every professional career". The number of successful graduates alone shows how accepted this training path is. This year there were 683 talents, a strong increase on the 604 in 2010. For Uwe Tännler, President of Swiss Marketing, this is further proof of the "triumph of the dual education system". The high number of marketing professionals who were able to receive their federal diplomas in Interlaken shows two things, said Tännler: "Firstly, the high acceptance of this educational pathway. And secondly, how great the need is in the economy for such highly trained junior staff." Andreas Balazs said that the newly graduated marketing specialists should not let up on their wit: "Don't let your creativity and imagination get in the way of your daily working life!" Apt words for a crowd of guests for whom group work instead of partying, cramming instead of playing poker and brain jogging instead of the Finnish track had been the focus for so long.

Premiere for Strelanie

If anyone at the graduation ceremony was not lacking in imagination, it was certainly the presenter, who was accompanying the party of marketing specialists for the third time: Melanie Winiger, who this time appeared in bright yellow. And in a way that was more than just a job for her, in addition to her professional and usual refreshing manner: "This is the third time I've done this," La Winiger called out to the audience, "and you're just a great bunch!"